Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-11-16
CITY DISTRIBUTION
Address Before Postmasters' Conven-
ton by Mr.. Shallenberger.
IMPROVEMENT OF THE SERVICE
Animated Discussion Today of the
Civil Service Law.
L Fl e CT E r ICA l. FO r G. E
THE CLERICAL FORCE


sembled this morning President Dickerson
introduced Assistant Postmaster General
Shallenberger. who had been invited to ad-
city distribution by railway postal clerks.
Mr.. Shallenberger said he would assume
from the outset that all postmasters were
in favor of city distribution by railway pos
tai clerks. He then reviewed the history
of the system, which really had its begin
ming in 1867, hut did not assume systematic
proportions until 1888
In all the years since there has been
growing disposition on the part of postmas-
tiers to secure q city distribution of mail
on postal cars.
The speaker said he glad the post
masters assembled could have an opportu-
nifty to come into contact with each divis
ion of the several bureaus of the Post Office
Department and their practical opera
tons The railway mail bureau will CO.
operate with the postmasterS as to plans
for extending the system of distribution on
cars, and everything possible will be done
to economize time and effort. He said there
would be no difficulty in finding clerks in
teligent enough to take the run from Bal
timOre to New York, separate the mail for
New York while on the cars; then turn
back and separate and distribute the mail
for Boston the way home. The same
system would apply between Chicago and
st. Louis, and between any two of all the
large cities. To accomplish this the coop
GRAFTON of the postmaster VII be necessary
in the selection and examination of the
clerks. Where failures occur they should
be reported. and men could be obtained who
are competent to do the work.
The object in View.
I'VE want to strive for this realization"
said Mr.. Shallenberger, that whenever a
mail train arrives in city during business
hours the mail shall be prepared for distri-
button as completely possible. Unul
this stage is reached the railway mail ser
vice will not be complete"
Mr.. Shallenberger said every year the de-
partment Is increasing the speed of trains
to hurry the mail to a station, there to
have it turned over to "A mule team or a
cart, to he moved at rate of three miles
an hour. This, he thought, was a travesty
the service.
The whole system of subletting con-
tracts for city Transportation of mail must
be abolished declared Mr.. Shallenberger
a sentiment which was loudly applauded by
the pOstmaSterS.
President D!ckerson. commenting upon
this system, said he had noticed the horses
and harness OF the mail delivery contrac-
tors here in Washington and declared their
condition would be disgrace to a third
class grocery"
Office Clerks.
Mr. Smythe held that the successful ad-
the assembly upon the method of getting
the best service from post Office clerks.
Mr.. Smythe held THAT the successful adj
ADMINISTRATION of a large post office depends
upon the ability of these subordinates to
manage their respective departments
Many postmasters have suffered from in
efficient superintendents and allowed them
TO remain in the service simply because the
civil service has not provided and proba-
bly, cannot furnish a list from which he
can make better selection.
1t IS not necessary" he said Ito take
these offices entirely out Of the civil ser
vice, as was the case before the last extern
sion. The tenure of office may still remain
under the sheltering wing of the civil ser
vice commission. When, however there IS
cause for removal or a vacancy occurs
the postmaster, who has personal knowl-
eGge Of the special duties required in each
individual instance is the one who can best
decide who Is best equipped in ali the
qualities essential for the successful adj
ministration Of that particular place. He
should be allowed to make the selection,
subject to the approval of the department
untramme!ed by any scholastic examina-
uOn. II there is any man already in his
office fully capable of filling the place he
should promote him, but, if not he should
not be prevented from going outside as
business men do, to make the most suita-
service" ~
Mr.. Smythe then offered the following
resolution:
he clerks pay roll and who come within
the classified service. should for the mn
pose Of civil service examinations be
graded according to the duties performed,
instead OF being grouped in one grade as
at present practiced.
That the grade of superintendent. while
remaining under the civil service, so far
as rebates to the tenure of Office shouid he
excepted therefrom when appointments arc
to be made to fill vacancies"
Civil Service Inv
Postmaster Hicks of PhiladeIphia fol,
lowed in brief address, in which he said
his office was hampered by the operation
OF the civil service law. He said it was not
the fault of the law, but the theoretical adj
mlnlstration of it. He said he thought the
commission was doing the best il could I'M
der the circumstances, but the difficulties
arise from the fact that the commission
does not come in close contact with the
men who do the work
Postmaster Tucker of Toledo suggested
mat II the poStmaSterS could be allowed to
remove . per cent of the employees of their
offices annually, without preferring charges,
II would benefit the service.
postmaster Graham of Rochester said
That If postlnasters want to have a taste of
redl trouble let the civil service commission
be abolished.
Then you will have your leg pulled by
the posses ana nave your life worried out
OF YOU, he said. You will have your di-
ward politicians. Oh no. | don't want any
of that in mine. l have had too much ex-
perience.
The men we rely upon in our offices are
the men who have worked up from the
ranks. Now you propose to have your pol
ltlcldns put off any kind of political para
sites and scrubs on you to do the work
which 1t takes competent and energetic
men to perform 3"
The civil serN ice resolution of Mr. Smythe
was then adopted, but was Immediately re-
considered by an overwhelming vote and
referred to the committee on resolutions.
Mr.. DaTr of Buffalo offered a resolution
which was referred, recommending the APP
pointmen, of superintendent of divisions
by promotion from other grades.
Postmaster Stlllman of Milwaukee ad-
dressed the convention on the methods of
getting the best service out of post office
employees, in which he gave many sugges-
lions, the result of his own experience.
Postmaster Eurlong of Hartford followed
in brief remarks upon the same subject.
Postmaster Montfort of Cincinnati was
the next speaker on the. same topic, and
was followed by Postmaster Darr of Buff
falo.
Postmaster Dickerson gave the assembly
an account of the method he pursues in the
Detroit office of having one carrier at night
prepare the mail for the carriers the next
morning.