The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-08-27
GREAT LOBBY EXPECTED
II VIII Exceed Anything Ever Seen In
Washington.
10000 posTmAsrfRs ARE CONCERNED
Details OF the Movement Knswn ia
the Postofnce OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
master General ON the subject.

The most gigantic LOBBY ever organized
will descend upon Washington next win
ter. Officials OF the postoffce department
are already acquainted with Its details.
There will be. In fact, two Hobbies, both
connected with branches OF tho postal
service One will cndeavor to secure larger
salaries for the letter carriers. who now
get maximum of $1,000 per year and who
want at least 5000. There are about a.,
600 letter carriers. so that their combina-
ton is no small matter. II Is. however,
bagatelle compared with the organiza-
tlon of the fourth class postmasters, who
number 10000. and who are determined
that their positions shall pay them more
money than they at present receive.
THE National League of Fourth-ciass
Postmasters OF the United States is not
altogether new thing, The postofnce
department had some experience with 1t
some time ago. when William H. Thomas,
the postmaster of La Grange. Mo-. came
to Washington to try and secure the pas
sage Of some favorable legislation, Ho
knew that there was q rule OF the depart
ment which prevented his presence in
Washington for the purpose. but ne en-
Z
made in his case which would exempt h'lu
from its operation. This was not granted
aud he went home. Afterward when he
began sending circulars all over the coua
try soliciting contributions, he was re-
moved Another postmaster, located in
Tennessee, who was IN the same game,
was also removed. One of his circulars
was on the desk OF the chief clork of the
fourth assistant postmaster generals Of
dce yesterday, where 1t was being held
in connection with the new DEVELOPMENTS
that nre now coming to the attentioo %
the department. The circular has scmu
tiaring headlines, MS follows:
THE CIRCULAR Is ATTRACTIVE.
The National League OF fourth class post
masters of the United States.
Do you want better compensation? VIII
you help to get it9
II you will do your part. we shall win,
just as certain as Dewey captured Manila!
will hardly miss it.
In this circular Mr., Thomas announced
that contributions would be asked from all
| fourth-class postmasters, ranging from 10
cents from the official who received $50 u
| year TO 81 from the postmaster getting
| $3.50 a year. lie says that his experience
in Washington last December gave him
! an eyeslght into the workings of congress,
| and he intimates that he now knows how
| legislation can be secured. He insists
| that he has no selfish object IN view, MS
/ he owns property and ia, in every way,
n man of high standing,
The grievances OF the fourth class post
| masters are quite numerous. They want,
| in the first place, minimum salary of
500 n year. Then they ask an appropria
ton TO enable them TO hire clerks, and
they also want to be paid for rent, light
and heat that they furnish the govern
ment. They also have to buy their owr
stationery. which they claim Is unjust
| Another serious cause of complaint is the
| fact that they are not allowed credit for
letters Cancelled ut the depots or placed
on the trains which pass through their
| towns. At present their compensation is
not very large, They are allowed 100 per
cent of the value of the first $50 worth
! of stamps they cancel. GO per cent OF the
next 800 worth, and 40 per cent of the
rest If they do a business of $3.50 for four
/ successive quarters their Offices are raised
to the presidential rank
| WHAT THE POSTMASTER GENERAL
SAYS
Last winter" said Postmaster Gen.
eral Smith yesterday, discussing this mat
ter with representative OF The Post, "a
| fourth-class postmaster came here and
wanted to lobby before congress- He was
| told that such action would be against
tho rules Of tho department, and he wen
! home. Afterward he sent out requests fol
contributions, and when we found that
! other postmasters were doing the same
| thing we removed him, for 1t was quilt,
| evident that unless we called halt Their,
| was no telling where tho end would be.
Was The removal of the postmaste
equivalent 10 decision on the part o
the department that the fourth-class post
masters had no right TO organize In tn
hope of improving their condition."
NO" was the reply, Chat would be to-
broad an inference. There are organiza
lions of postal employes-the letter car
riers and the clerks, as ] now recall, be
! ing among them. There is no law TO pre-
vent such organizations, and there Is n
Interference with them as long as the
act within legitimate bounds. We civ
these organizations our close attention
however. to see that the interests OF tn
public and of the government are not In
jured / remember that we directed tn
clerks association not to solicit adyer
tisements for Its newspaper. because it
| advertising agents were threatening busl
ness men with retaliation II they did no
patronize It, We also have rule whicl
prohibits postmasters and other employe
from coming to Washington 10 secure leg
islation, on the ground that they ough
not to leave the government business Il
! take care of itself"
CONGRESS MUST BE PROTECTED,
4 But you can not prevent postmaste
from writing to his congressman?
mo-" said Mr. Smith. I'VE can not pre-
vent that"
Then IL the fourth-class postmaster
organize without neglecting their ofhcia
duties the department would be power
less?" :.
eyes, but we would, of course. have q
protect congress. An organization o.
fourth class postmasters, 10000 In NUMBER
would be. as you can readily see, very
powerful lever with which to work upon
congress, and 1t might result In the enact
ment OF legislation not for the best inter-