New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-01-17
LETTER CARRIERS PROTEST.
ADDRESSES BEFORE THEM BY PRESIDENT
PARSONS AND CONGRESSMAN QUIGG.

ADDRESSES BEFORE THEM BY PRESIDENT
PARSONS AND CONGRESSMAN QUIGG.
The letter carriers OF this city held largely at
tended meeting yesterday In the Grand Central
Palace Lexington-ave and Forty third-st.. to pro-
test against the proposed reduction Of the force
because OF the small deficiency in the appropria-
ton for the expenses of the Postofice Depart
ment More than thousand members OF Local
Branch No SO, OF the National Association of Let
ter Carriers. were present and there was also a
delegation from the Brooklyn branch.
NJ. \. Fitzgerald. president OF the local branch.
presided. and he introduced John y. Parsons.
president of the National Association who had
just returned from Washington. whore he had gone
to consult with the postal authorities. Mr.. Parsons
spoke courag!ngly and assured his hearers that
he felt confident that Congress would pass de-
ncency bill. At the same time. however, he
warned them not to relax their efforts TO arouse
public sentiment and bring the necessary pressure
bear upon tre legislators. He said that he did
not think that the association would lose single
man, and that Its strength would now be tested.
lie warned the letter carriers not to go after the
politicians and try TO retain their places through
political influence.
we can get satisfaction through the newspa-
pers." he continued. land through them the public
Will learn just what the facts are. and when IT is
fully Informed It will not the hard working
letter carriers suffer nor have the delivery service
OF this great city crippled Keep politics out Of the
question. for this matter Is purely one or business.
Congressman Lemue r.. Qugg next addressed
the meeting.
'As far as know" he said. the appropriation
for the carrier service made In lump OF
Sl4OoO,00O. which was given TO the PostOfiice De-
partment TO be- expended at the discretion of the
be deficiency OF $4,000 Nearly slO0OOOO0 Is
spent annually by the Department. nearly all OF
which IS realized from the sale OF stamps There
has always been deficiency In the last few years.
Il have much respect for the gentleman at the
head OF the Posotilce Department but he has
a notion that each individual enterprise and
ton Of the service should pay its own way and
that he should regulate the expenditures OF the
Department according to ts income | approve
of this. but want my morning mail at O'clock.
II be the small towns. where the incomes OF the
postofilces do not equal the expenditures. do
not want my friend from California to practise
all his ecSnomy on the rSp leo OF G
600 is trifng sum- and We know that where the
frce-delivery system has been extended In cities
the Incomes OF the local postofices have always
increased.
will be introduced in Congress all there IS 10 do
is 10 persuade the Postmaster General 10 postpone
the date which II Is intended TO cripple the
service until the bill can be passed.
The Postmaster-General has SAID that he Will
issue the order 10 reduce the number OF carriers
in this city on January 20, 50 that II can take eff
feet on February 1. This will hardly give time to
pass the deficiency bill so the order to cripple Is
issued The people much aroused and the
whole New York delegation in Washington IL work
ing hard to stave off the impending calamity"
II resolved to place the whole matter In the
hands Of Mr. Qugg.
Messrs Parsons and Fitzgerald were appointed
a committee 10 receive and give out all necessary
Information the subject to members OF the
association.