The San Francisco call., 1897-01-27

very generous proposal to the clerks, and,
using this as basis of WORK, Superinten-
dent Flint and his secretary, w. G. Ham
mond, succeeded IN making such arrange
ments with other transportation COM
panies in the Western States as to render
the undertaking feasible, and at the Chi
cago. convention in 1895 this City was
selected for the meeting OF 1867. For over
a year, therefore, preparations for this
convention have been made by the officers
and clerks OF the postal service in this City
and throughout the Pacific division of
the railway mail service. AS their ar
rangements are nearing completion and
the day approaches they are looking for
ward to the arrival of their CO workers
from the Eastern States with many happy
anticipations.
The association, which this gathering
will represent, is an old andSsubstantial
benevolent order, whose mem bership is
composed OF railway postal clerks, postotfice
inspectors and department officials who
supervise the transportation of the mails.
1t was founded twenty-seven years ago by
Jew route agents who desired to provide
for the families of their comrades killed
in the service, and, at the same time, es-
cape the exorbltant premiums demanded
by insurance com panies.
1t met with much opposition and no
favor during the first years of its existence,
largely because It's promoters were with
out financial training and its scant men,
bership was scattered over a large scope of
territory. Finally, however, by the favor
of department official, a convention was
held at Chicago, which excited some en-
thusiasm ano gave courage to its sponsors.
The mem bership soon afterward showed
an appreclable growth, department and
division officials applied for admission
and the prestige OF the society seemed es-
tablished. In an evil hour however, a
treasurer was elected, who slgnalized his
administra tion by absconding with the
entire assets, which, Ehrough loose busi-
ness methods, were at the time unsecured.
Thus deprived of everything but its
name, the association began another up
hill struggle with only 140 members. BY
levying double and treble assessments on
the remnant of its mem bership who were
willing to stand this sort of f1nanciering g
it established small reserve fund. 1t
was then Incorporated under the laws of
Illinois and its certificates written to
cover deaths from any cause. 1t has since
experienced a steady growth and has at
this time $3.50 members who are each in
sured in the sum of $4,000. 1t has but one
salaried officer, VINO receives the pay of
his grade in the Railway Mail Service.
By keeping the expenses of administra-
ton at u minimum it affords to its men,
bers the cheapest insurance known.
The National convention is an old Gus
tom of the clerks. At first only business
meetings were held as circumstances de-
manded, but for many years these have
been merged into one general gathering z
and the business routine supplemented by
social features In which the families of
the delegates participate. 1t has thus
come to be the annual holiday affair of
the Railway Mail Service, to which every
clerk looks forward with keen interest.
These annual meetings, by affording the
rank and file of the service an opportunity
to exchange ideas and compare methods,
have been beneficial to the service, and
the department has always encouraged
them by arranging transportation for the
delegates and their families.
In recognition of the hazardous work
and valuable service performed by the
railway mail clerks the cities in which