The Washington times., 1902-06-02
Measure Proposes Re-
classification of Pay
for the Service.
HUNG UP In THE COMMITTEES
Friends of the Measure Working Hard
to Get the Matter Reported So That
Vote Can Be Taken - How the
Committee STANDS.

A determined effort will be made by
the friends Of the bill for the reclassi-
fication of the letter carriers TO obtain
a report from the House Committee on
Postofiices and Postroads on that meas
ure before the end OF the session. AT
salary Of $1,000 year, and 1t is impos-
sible for them to obtain larger pay than
this, no matter how long they have
served, how faithfully they have attend
ed to their work, or how efficient they
have proven themselves to be. No other
branch of the classified service is so
handicapped, for the limit of earning
capacity as the letter carrier, who en-
tiers the service of the Government by
means of a competitive examination
scarcely less rigid than is required OF
a copyist or clerk, and whose salary is
only slightly above the lowest salary
paid to employees of the latter class.
he friends of the measure declare
that such scale is very apparent in
Washington, where a clerk who works at
Il utSh tOT slA anu HOuTS.
usually at very light work, enters the
service at s72O, or 5000 year, has
clear way to promotion TO a salary OF
81 500 in the classified service, and even
to reach the grade of chief clerk. chief
of division or bureau: in several notable
instances they have attained the posi-
tion of assistant secretary. The letter
carrier. on the other hand, it is pointed
out, is obliged to work for eight hours
day, and out of doors, in all sorts and
conditions Of weather, and always with
the knowledge that after years of SER
vice he can reach no higher than $1,000
a year. and has 40 hope of betterment.
Opportunity for Promotion.
The bill now pending before the COM
mittee is indorsed by the National AS
sociation of Letter Carriers, and was in
troduced by Representative William
Alden Smith OF Michigan. 1t gives the
carrier opportunity for promotion to
81 200 a year. such promotions being
contingent upon length of service and
merit ne HOUSE tOIuHIitttt Ou fosl-
Offices has not been inclined to favor
the measure. During the incumbency
Of the former president of the asso-
citation the impression gained ground
that undesirable influences were being
brought to bear to secure the passage
of the bill The present president. Mr..
]. c. Kellar. when he took the Office
last year, determined that nothing of
this character should be permitted to
interfere with the project, and while
he has had an uphill fight. he has sue
ceeded In convincing majority OF the
committee that the carriers are deter
mined the bill shall stand or fall on It's
own merits.
Several OF the members of the COM
mittee are enthusiastic over the meas
Cre, particularly Representative Cromer
OF Indiana, Representative Sperry of
and Representative Swan
son OF Virginia. Representative Cow
herd of Missouri on the other hand. Is
strongly disposed, il is said. to antag
onze #. II is said that some OF the
letter carriers in his district opposed
his reelection because of his opposi-
tion to the bill, and he says he has
nothing more TO fear from them politi-
cally. The key to the situation is. how
ever. In the hands OF Representative
Loud OF California. the chairman OF the
who has steadfastly opposed
the measure.