Omaha daily bee., 1896-05-31
CUTS OFF w LETTER CARRIERS

Lately Succeeds Rs Supcrfn-
tcndcnt-Chnnrcs Effective
Word was received in Omaha yesterday
morning that the postal authorities at Wash
ingtcn had decided to reduce the force of
carriers in connection with the local post
office. Superintendent Kleffner of the car
ricrs is reduced to the position of CARRIE
and on June l will again take up the task
Of distributing letters on his old route.
Alfred j. Latey, at present a member of the
clerical force, succeeds Kleffner as superin-
tendent of carriers. Three carriers. James
S. Stone. Joseph Becker and George Amman
son, are reduced to substitute carriers by
the new order.
All these changes are effective June l..
Just how seriously they will handicap the
work of the local office is not known, as
neither Postmaster Martin nor his assistant,
MIR. woodward, could be seen yesterday.
While the reduction of Superintendent Kleff-
ner to the position of carrier is generally
regretted, 1t does not come as a surprise
10 those conversant with postal matters.
1t is said that First Assistant Postmaster
General Jones refused to confirm the APP
pointment of any superintendent OF carriers
who belonged to the National Association Of
Letter Carriers. This is given as the reason
for the appointment of Mr.. Latey, a mem
Der of the National Association of Postal
Clerks.
hLEFfNER FOOGHl lfiE OtkDEf'
1t was stated yesterday by a prominent
citizen of this city, who is thoroughly con-
versant with the situation, that the only
reason why Kleffner has been turned down
is because of the antipathy of First Assist
ant Postmaster General Jones to the Ma
tional Association of Letter Carriers. Kleff-
ner has been actively interested in the work
of the association ever since its organiza-
tion. He was one of it's first presidents ana
| served for several years as chairman of its
executive board.
This organization has been exceedingly
active in its work on behalf of the carriers.
1t was largely instrumental in bringing alb cut
the passage of the eight-hour law, which the
government fought through all the courts.
1t also succeeded in having the appropriation
for the employment of spies on the carriers
knocked out by congress. These successful
movements on the part of the association
has, 1t is understood, annoyed Assistant
Jones to such an extent that he has deter
mined to get back at the prominent officers
of the association by reducing them to in
ferior positions.
The idea of selecting a clerk for the posi-
ton of superintendent of carriers is rldicu'ed
by the majority of postal employees. They
contend that a man who has not served as a
carrier himself has not had sufficient train
ing to properly occupy the position of super
intendent Of carriers. Postmaster Martin
is said not to favor tho change at all. On
June l, when the present clerk succeeds the
present superintendent of carriers, an effort
will be made to reduce the salary Of the
position from 81, 400 to 81, 900.
Kleffner's friends announce that a fight
will be made before the civil service com
mission against the appointment. The Ma
tional Association of Letter Carriers has
taken the matter up, and through lis attor-
neys at Washington, will enter a vigorous
protest against the appointment of a postal
clerk to the position of superintendent Of
carriers. A protest will first be entered
before the local civil service board, and then
the matter will be carried to the national
civil service commission. One of the most
interesting fights that the combined forces
Of letter carriers has yet waged is promised
In the behalf OF Its eX-president.
Postmaster Euclid Martin stated in con-
nection with the matter that the three
men had been placed on the substitute list
In compliance with retrenchment orders
from Washington. Omaha Is only one of
a large number of cities of the same class
which have had their mail carrier forces
reduced. In a number of cities the force
has been reduced ten men. Mr.. Martin
regarded the suspension of the men as
temporary, and stated that as soon as or
ders for increased force were received from
Washington the substitutes always had the
preference over outside parties.
Earl W.. Tate, one of the special delivery
letter carriers, said to have been one of the
employees discharged, resigned of his own
accord, and the vacancy has already been
filed. Mr.. Martin anticipates no future
cut in the number of employees. The work
performed by the three carriers let out will