Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1902-02-14
1H[ OTHER FELLOW
Rural Carriers Not to Blame for
Order Against Employees
Asking Favors.
Revenue Cutter Men the Per.
nicious Ones - Newspapers
Will Fight for Carriers.
Better Pay Coming..No Women
Carriers Wanted..Civil
Service Rule.

| Roland, Feb l. The cause of the
recent presidential order forbidding
government employees to busy them
selves in seeking better pay by appeals
to congress is generally laid at the
door of the rural delivery carrier, but
| as a matter of fact it has been the
revenue cutter men who were the most
persistent and annoying. There are
only few of them, and they have been
carrying on systematic and energetic
campaign. By stirring up all their
friends in all parts of the country they
have managed to pour into Washing
ton a flood of letters favoring their
claims for an increase in pay. Al
ready they are among the best paid
employees of the government. Cap
tains get $4,000 a year. lieutenants
81, 500, chief engineers S1,S00. These
officers of little cutters draw larger
pay than similar officers on the great
transatlantic steamships. They are
also allowed half pay on retirement
Many senators and representatives
have complained of what they call the
cheeky manner in which these en-
ployes have pestered congress. and the
revenue cutter men are largely respon-
sible for the issuance of the order.
However, the letter carriers feel
this order more than any other class
of government employees, as they ale
the poorest paid. The rural carrier
ha
carrier is paid from $500 to $500. and
railway mail clerks trifie more.
Each Of these branches have organiza-
lions thru which they expect to secure
congressional aid and they feel that
the executive order is hardship. AS
one rural carrier expressed 1t TO me,
Il voted for Congressman -- ana
as a citizen of the United States
felt that I should have the same rights
to talk to him as my patrons VINO re-
Gently circulated a petition asking MIN
to vote for the bill against oleomar-
garine, colored like butter. OF course
they were working for their own bene-
fit to make better sale for their but
ter. and l ought to have the privilege
to ask for a better salary"
There seems to be but one friend of
the carrier left, and that is the news
paper 1t can never be muzZled ana
congressman do have way of read
ing the newspapers. The carrier gen
orally Is the friend of the newspaper.
taking as much pains to deliver 1T
faithfully as he does first class letter
mail and often encouraging patrons
along the routes to subscribe for lead
ing dailies.
Already the newspaper has plead the
carriers case we'll at Washington Tor
a rural free delivery inspector recently
returned from Washington says that
the bill increasing the salary of the
rural letter carriers will undoubtedly
become law. 1t has already passed
the house and is not expected to en-
counter any opposition in the senate.
Under this proposed law carriers will
be paid 5000 the first year and $12O
per annum thereafter
Later on it may be possible to adopt
a uniform style of outfit. wagons, etc.,
and a distinct uniform for the car
riers. after the fashion of the city man
carriers. This would add dignity to
the service and leave better erect
generally than is obtaind from the or
binary rigs used turnout the country,
tho there are some attractive looking
outfits in use on the routes now.
ON February the order of the pres
tdent classifying rural carriers under
The civil service regulations became
and it will be interesting to
those yet seeking the rural delivery
service to know that the following CIR
cular has been sent out:
"Petitioners praying for the estab-
lishment of service for the local OF
flee, in order to facilitate the work
of the special agent when he arrives.
are advised to suggest the names OIL
three or more persons whom they
deem capable and who are willing to
act as carriers. Other applicants VIII
also be received. The date on which
the examining agent will arrive VIII
he announced later. The prescribed
examination will be extremely simple
and practical only sufficient to test
the applicants ability to read and
write.
applicants must reside directly on
or within the territory to be supplied
by the proposed route, and must FUR
nish a suitable horse and vehicle for
the use of the service. The age limit
is between II and 55 years, except in
the case of honorably discharged SOL
diers or sailors"
Women are not likely to receive
much favor as rural carriers for the
continues to state: "Apph-
cations of women will be received. but
will not be recommended for appoint
ment unless local conditions and cir
are such as to make the
desirable, and for the
best interest of the service" Some
one has suggested that these local
refer to districts down
east" where the majority of residents
are said to be old maids but even then
the department, doubtless, fears
trouble for the curiosity of women,
especially women postmasters, is pro- /
verbal.
GEORGE F. THAYER.
Mad Dog at Nichols.
m