Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-11-17

second, and pay the government cents
a pound. Had this been done last year it
would have made an increase of $1i, oG0, 900
in revenues
Resolutions Adopted.
Resolutions were adopted urging the de-
Velopment and increase of rural free deliv-
cry; compulsory back stamping of all let
tiers as soon as received; the adoption of
limited postal note of the size, form and
text used in Great Britain and Canada to
be placed on sale In every post office to
be issued for a fee of l cent. without war
tax and TO be fixed in denomination not
to exceed 81: the adoption of the forty
eight pcr-week system for letter-car-
rers, proposed by the first assist
ant postmaster general the careful con-
SderatiOn Of the department of the propo-
Stion of Assistant Postmaster Hubbard of
Chicago for a substitute for postage
stamps for small remittances; that any
recommendation as to changes in the civil
service as affecting the postal service would
be diSrespectful TO the President of the
United States and unwise at this time; that
promotions in first and second-class offices
should be made wholly for the good of the
service and from the clerkships in the Of
flee of the railway mail service; that the
Post Office Department should limit the
size of advertising cards to five by nine
inches, If possible, and, If not, that the en-
actment of a law to that effect be asked
of Congress; that the money to be set apart
by postmasters for an auxiliary force should
be used only at times of business conges
ton; the increase of the allowance for
temporary clerks during vacations, so that
the working force be not crippled by extern
sion of vacations beyond summer months;
increase of allowance for necessities of hol-
idays and other emergencies: and that the
thanks of the convention be extended to
the Postmaster General and other officials
who have co-operated with the Postmas-
ters' Association and for the courtesieS
they have extended to it, This report is
tome nv ms aTa aur1c
John NJ. Hubbard. G. w. Beavers, J. L..
Waite, E. R. stillman, John A. Merritt
and Walter D. Stimson.
Supt. J. w. Bishop of the auditing d.
vision of the Post Office Department, was
| introduced by President Dickerson and ex-
tended a cordial invitation to the members
of the association to inspect his division.
w. G. Edens and Postmasters Sobel of
Erie. Pa, and Dewstoe of Cleveland were
appointed a committee on the Eben Brewer
memorial monument fund
Peoria, H., was chosen for next year
convention.
The Eight-Hour Law.
At last nights meeting Supt. Machen Of
the free delivery system made address
on the eight-hour law in its relation to
letter carriers.
After paying considerable attention to re-
quests made by postmasters for additional
allowances, and commenting favorably upon
he provisions of what is popularity known
as the Loud BILL considered by the past
Two Congresses, but failing of adoption,
which provided for reforms of so-called
abuses in connection with second-class mail
matter, Mr.. Machen said, concerning the
proposed new eight-hour law:
1T is one of the questions agitating the
public mind a the present time, and any
action on the part of the department which
might be construed as an attempt to nullify
the eight-hour law would meet with oppo-
sition from organized labor throughout the
country and from all others interested in
hn hi lar rg,YDin
therefore, see to it that the motives of the
department are not misunderstood, and that
its language on this subject will be so clear
as not to admit Of a construction inimical
to the eight-hour principle.
1T must be clearly understood that it is
the firm purpose of the department to so
frame the proposed new measure as to in
sure to the letter carrier, as well as the
department. every safeguard, every protec-
ton, against possible abuses of the law that
designing persons might undertake to in
troduce.'
The speaker then reviewed the history OF
the eiSht-hour law, it has been applied
to letter carriers. noting the difficulties en-
countered by the department in adjusting
| the system to the service. The question OF
! Overtime" and Underline" was touched
upon, showing that the department in 1880
| or 1891 discovered what a continuance of
| the allowances would lead to-an increa se
labor, practically-and refused to make any
| further settlements of overtime claims.
An order was then issued to poStmaSterS
| requiring the strict enforcement of the
eight-hour law and permitting no over
time to be made under any circumstances.
Subsequently, the speaker said, con-
| struction put upon the law by the depart
| ment cost the government about 81, 100000
| in overtime claims. and the result was a
| second order peremptorily forbidding allow
| ances for overtime.
| Proposed Changes.
Concluding his review, Mr.. Marchen pre-
sented the more salient features of the pro-
| posed modification of the law.
No intelligent person Will contend he
said. that an eight-hour law suitable to
! bricklaying or masonry or other trades
| where man can be employed eight con-
| secutive hours can be made to meet the
| requirements Of service. In the free
| delivery service it Is necessary to employ
| carriers when there is work to perform or
| mail to be delivered. The amount of work
varies SO from day to day that 1t is physi-
| cally impossible to provide every day ex-
| actly eight hours employment, consecu-
! lively or O. intervals.
THE change proposed is briefly this: In
! stead of eight hours day for each day, 1t
| Is proposed to provide for SIX days' work