The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-10-25

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SORTING THE MAIL
equally essential. II postal clerk gets
behind it is almost impossible for him to
catch up. He must distribute the mails as
they are picked up on the way, and make
up those which are TO be dropped off. Alb
solute perfection is not possible, but we
come nearer to 1t every year. There has
never been falling back. Without an ex-
ceptlon the per cent. of efficiency and ac-
curacy has shown an increase each year.
Every mistake IS recorded and charged up
TO the man Tho makes it. Last wear the
errors were only one 10 every 3 ,89j pieces
handled, or OOPS OF l per cent. 1t seems
10 me that the railway mail service has a
right 10 be proud of such a showing"
DO not the clerks have trouble with de-
fective and illegible addresses?"
PLENTY OF II, just as everybody does
who handles mail matter, A postal clerk
on railway train up TO his ears in work
cannot spend much time in deciphering an
iilegibie superscription. If he cannot read
IL at glance, he must lay it aside. The
boys call these mixes They found up-
wards of 1905 900 of them last year. They
are sent TO certain designated Offices where
the people who have more time try their
skill upon them. They have experts at
these offices who succeed in making the
proper disposition OF about half Of them.
The other half they send to the dead letter
oifice here In Washington City, which is
the court OF last resort for them.''
Under what system of examination are
the clerk appOlntedY'
''They ali have to go through the civil
service mill. They are, however, exam
ined with special referen ce TO their fitness
for the business. We do not care whether
a man can read Chaldee or knows anv.
a "a oirV, L.
must understand the geography of this
country and be quick to read writing.
These two things count much more in the
examination than any others. If man is
seriously deficient in them he is not likely
to make good postal clerk. But certiti-
cate that he has passed a creditable exam
NATION does not make man postal
clerk. 1t simply means that he is quail
tied TO learn to De one. We take him six
months on probation, as they do in the
Methodist church. At the end of that
time, if he. has acquitted him
self well, he gets perma-
nent appointment. II he is not quite up
to the mark, but gives promise of success,
We may extend his trial term three
months. Some men are slower to learn
than others, but are just as good when
they do get there. From time TO time, as
the law provides, the permanent clerks are
examined for promotion TO higher grades.
Those who pass have their pay increased.
So you see there is a constant incentive to
reach the highest possible proficiency.
These examinations consist chiefly of the
actual distribution, as If they were letters,
OF large number OF cards which bear the
names of postotfices. Celebrity and cor
rectness IN doing this are the things that
count. The clerks are started at $500 a
year. at present the maximum pay is
81, 400"
"What provision is made for them in
case of death or disability by accident"
mot such, in my opinion, as there ought
to be. The duty Of the postal clerk is not
only arduous, but involves constant dam
ger to life or limp. There is no class of
men in the government service who are
more earnest and diligent in their work or
more deserving of consideration. The law
now permits Us to continue on the pay
roll, Tor period not exceeding one year,
and 10 an amount not more than $1,000,
clerk who is disabled while in the line of
duty. There Is no provision IN case OF
death. The department has recommended
to congress a bill to pay one years salary
to the widow, children or dependent rela-
tlves OF one VINO is killed. This seems to
me emlnentiy proper, and little enough
for the government TO do in such cases.
Last year there were 145 casualties in
the railway mail service. Ten postal
clerks were killed, ninety-tive were SER
danger to postal clerk in case Of acct
dent is greater than that of ordinary pas
sengers. His car is near the front OF the
train and is generally more likely to suffer
disaster than the rear coaches. The record
Of casualties each year is a narrowing
one. The postal clerks often meet death
or mutiIation in their most awful forms.
Not long ago one of our very best men,
Greenawald. was killed n that smash-up
on the Reading. Not a week passes with
out accidents 10 these faithful servants OF
the people.
"A few years ago the employees Of the
railway mail service organized mutual
beneficial association. which is in Hour
ishing condition. Ii Is a good thing, and
We encourage the men To join it. Its mem
bership embraces about half of those in
the service. Each member pays dollar
in case OF death. the sum paid being now
about $500
This : purely a voluntary matter and
does not in any manner lessen the Obljga-
ton which / think rests upon the govern
ment to make such provision as has been
suggested. We shall ntinue 10 urge the
matter upon congress, and hope for ia
vorahle issue"
What part Of the time are the clerks on
duty?"
Not every day of course. Their work
IS wearing. and they must have time for
rest. On the heavy lines, each man has
from a quarter to a third of his time for
rest and study. The postal clerk always
has something 10 learn: he never sees the
time when ne can say he knows II ali. On
the shorter routes. with lighter mails. the
work is not nearly so hard. The long
routes are divided into sections. For in
stance, between New York ana Chicago.
one set OF clerks run 10 Syracuse, another
70 Cleveland and third from that point
10 Chicago. Not more than ten or twelve
hours OF continuous service can be asked
OF postal clerk. If, as in some cases. the
eXigencies Of the service require tins 10 he
extended 20 fifteen or more, propOrtionate
time must be allowed for rest. II IS hard
life at best, involving close application,
absence from home, and often irregularitv
in meals and hours for sleep. / am proud
to say that We have an excellent force.
whose efficiency and faithfulness are be-
yond praise"
Order vour coal from tho Sas+-fa Tracsta-