The times., 1899-08-09
4 BANQUET TO MERRITT
The New Postmaster the Guest Of
the Letter Carriers.
Hearty Support 10 the New Head of
the Local PostofSice Pledged
Several Men Prominent in the
Service A Progressive Policy.

Fully half the letter carriers of Washing
ton rendered an enthusiastic ovation to
Hon. John A Merritt, the new local post
master. at a complimentary banquet CIV
en- at the National Hotel last night and
pledged themselves by word and action 10
give his administration the most Jealous
support 1t was an unusual gathering
that brought the recently appointed di-
rector of the local postal service and the
carriers face to face at the dinner board
and the impression was general that the
local free delivery service and postal sys-
TEN would be given new impetus by
reason of the progressive ideas of the
new postmaster.
Postmaster Merritt seems to have won
the confidence OF his men at the beginning
of his term Of office and this was clearly
manifested by the mood of last nights
/ gathering. The carriers appeared to re-
| aiize that they are now being directed
| by a man who is thoroughly acquainted
with postal methods and the ability to in
augurate reforms in the postoff1ce. besides
having their welfare, as well as the inter-
/ est of the service, at heart. The new
postmaster and his carriers became well
acquainted before the banquet and toast
| making concluded at midnight, at which
hour an informal reception was unexpeet-
edIy held by Mr.. Merritt, by reason OF the
desire of the carriers 10 meet him per-
sonally and shake hands.
The speeeh-Making Begins.
The banquet was given under the
auspices of the Washington branch of the
National Association of Letter Carriers,
which is organized in 753 cities. pre-
liminary reception was held in the hotel
parlors, after which the invited guests and
members of the association adjourned to
the banquet room and partook Of an eiap-
crate dinner. Speeches were begun at ~
O'Clock and continued two hours
Edward Kines presided as toastmaster.
Owing TO the absence Of the Hon. George
IL Allen. Acting First Assistant Post
master General, the opening toast was Of
fered by A. w Machen, Superintendent of
the Free Delivery Service. He dwelt upon
the progress which the postal service las
made since its inception. He said that he
had known the new postmaster for years
and congratulated the people of Washing
ton and their letter carriers upon the ac-
QUESTION of such an energetic, progressive.
and capable and practical man as Mr..
Merritt, who he thought, would give the
National Capital the model postoffce IN
the country anu, III TACT III tIe Aofiu.
There is no branch of the Government
which has shown such a great progress as
the local free delivery service" said Mr..
/ Machen at was established in the year
1863. There are now 500 Offices and 150, 900
carriers The lake cities are today making
greater progress in their service than any
other cities. l refer TO Buffalo, Cleveland,
Detroit Milwaukee, and Chicago, and espe-
cially Buffalo, which does four times more
I srf-nn rrnaY
ago." Mr. Machen referred to the rural
free delivery and said the project was
meeting with much success near Washing
ton. He visited the first rural route re-
Gently and was surprised at the good work
which was being accomplished. Mr..
Maehen also spoke regarding the extension
of the postal service TO the domain recently
acquired by America and said few persons
realized the obstacles which had TO be
overcome by the Postofice Department in
giving Americas wards the same service
that Americans have. He was one OF the
committee which was sent TO Cuba TO in
yestigate and report on the Cuban postal
service and said conditions were sadly dis
couraging when that city was reached
The people were one hundred years behind
the times, he said, and there was not q
letter carriers sack in the entire city OF
Havana with its 800, 900 population. There
were only two local deliveries day and
the carriers salary depended upon the
fees which he could collect. He cited lu-
merous instances in which the Spanish
| postoffice officials had mulcted the people
! OF the city.
The postmaster called as the second
speaker E J. Cantwell, editor of the Pos
tai Record" who referred to the advance
which had been made in the free deliver!
system since its establishment. He saiC
| the members of the National Association
OF Letter Carriers stood behind the post
Office authorities in favor OF progress ID
told the carriers that they were fortunate
in having placed over them man Wit
would not tyrannize them, even if he hai
the opportunity, because his nature, b
said would not permit him TO do such
thing.
MIR. Merritt's Response.
| The third speaker was the recently ap
pointed postmaster. Mr.. Merritt gave
resume of the postofice business, whicl
1 has been a matter of study with him 70
= many years, and said he thought il til
: greatest and best executed business in tn
| world today. He said there are now Is, 90
American postoffices, and that the receipt
last year amounted TO more than $4,000
600.
| in such close touch with the people of tn
: ! country as you" said he, addressing hi
| carriers +-and your success depends upoi
: your efficiency. accuracy, and poiiteness.
| you are capable polite. and accommodation
YOU will make your work success, other
wise il will be failure. / feel that III
= employees of the local postoffice are entitlc
10 as much respect from the national Ad
ministration as those of any Government
Department, and that they are entitled {
some of the good things. While am her
/ will do all that can in that direction
!. Among the other toasts were the follow
ing: The Letter Carrier by w b. Dent
Free Delivery by Mai. ]. z. Bell, Super
/ intendent Of the Free Delivery Service G
the Washington postoffice. THE Past an
, Present by w. B. Britain, the senio
member Of the force of carriers as far a