The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-12-20
P. O. CLERKS TROUBLES.
Member of Old Association Gives His
Vers O of the Split.

Ners o. of the Split.
Great excitement has been created
among POSTAL employees by the or iization
of the United Post Office Clerks Associ-
alton in opposition TO the old organiaa.
tion, the National Association OF Postal
Cl rks. One II the most prominent officers
of the old association said TO IA reporter
for tho New York Press:
" ! observe by an article in the Press Of
Moniay that new association las been
formed in opposition to the existing one,
and looking over tho name OF the officers
el ctei recalls to my mind the condition
OF affairs that has existed for six years.
AT the convention of clerks held in Den
YER In the fall Of 1876 great deal Of
opposition was manifested against mum
Der of tho national officers by class of
men in the New York office who have al
ways opposed every effort of s.tle associa-
tion to advance the interests eifecting tho
large tody If c!e~ks throughout the couu-
try, having preference for the uso OF
the association toward aiding their own
individual and selfish aggrand isement.
"These Inen, beaded by John Tobin,
who is an officer of the new association,
set about at that time to organize an as
ISOLATION of their own. Being repulsed
In this movement by large number Of
delegates, they came hack to Now York
and organized "a secret local branch of
their own. managing to elect tn same
men officers who were already officers In
the local branch of the national body.
"By promises which they never could
expect TO fulfil, and under a pretenss
that many OF these members would b,
elected as delegates for awhile. Spuired
on In their success in huncoing tho men,
these few leaders carried matters TO such
extremes that finally petition signed
by more than 1lO0 clerks.in the New YORK
postoffice protesting against the exist
ing state OF affairs was presented TO the
rational association at Washington, pray
ing for new local branch.
. "At n meeting Of the executiv, COM
mittee held in Washington in December,
1895, after hearing of both sides, the
charter was revoked, and "A new one issued
To Branch No. 1877, which is now its
representative in this city. When again
thess men pres,rted themselves 10 the
convention held in Baltimore in Septem-
her, last year, rs delegates, the conven-
tion, by an overwhelming vote OF more
than 40 TO /. voted against giving them
any recognition.
"It he's been claimed that the national
association expe ded $40, COO To pass n
classification bill Introduced into Con.
@ : q number of times. This is not so
First because the association never had
such a large amount and, secondly.
whatever moneys were expended were for
legitimate purposes only.
"Ihe lenslation n that this new ossocia-
tion seeks will never. pass Congress be-
cause il carries with IL an immediate ap-
propriation OF about $40, 900, ,0OO. Besides
IL has not the approval Of the postmaster
general and Congress will not recognize
any measure that has not suca an az.
prevail
There is, however. n bill before Con-
gress. introduced only four or five days
ago by Congressman Lorimer of Chicago
This bill classifss the whole service. from
postmaster down TO clerk, and increases
"A clerks salary from minimum Of 5000
to a maximum of Sl400 per annum, &c
cording TO the length Of service and
merit. This bill carries an appropriation
with il. and has she hearty approval OF all
the officials OF the department. the post
muster general, the chief of the salary
and allowances division the PRESIDENT. vice
president. Speaker heed and u majority
of both houses Of Congress
"It has been assured on early hearing.
with the anticipation that IL the condition
of the treasury will warrant 10. the same
will be passed at this session OF Congress. I"
Several clerks who were present when
this statement was made. approved every
word Of it.