Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-02-25

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cline to the belief that it would be
difficult to remove entirely the oblec-
tionable star route features, and that
would result. Mr.. Smith remarked
that he was experiencing great dithcui-
ty, under the present arrangement IN
keeping carriers: that his carriers
were constantly resigning on account
of inadeouata comnensation. He |
thought the lowest bidder system
would not prove satisfactory and that
a fair compensation under present con-
ditions was preferable.
Rumple and Smith Think Alike.
Congressman Rumple took practical,
ly the same ground as that suggested
by Judge Smith. He thought under
the proposed system the service would
deterioratein efficiency and eventually
develop into sort of star route
scheme. Mr.. RUMBLE thought the gov
eminent could well afford to pay car
riers a fair compensation for their
work and that from $3.50 to $500 per
annum was not excessive.
A Senator's View.
| A United States senator, who is also
a member of the postotfice and post
roads committee, stated to your cor
respondent thatif the house should en-
act the contract clause into the post
Office appropriation bill that it will
have serious time in the senate.
This senator says there is no occasion
FOR the contract system in connection
with the delivery of mail in the rural
districts. The competitive system is
not practiced in the securing OF car
riers in the cities; why should 1t be
put into operation in the rural free de-
livery system? If it is proposed to ask
rural carriers to bid against one anoth-
er and grind the compensation allowed
to the carriers down to the last penny,
why not let the position of postmaster
lin each town and city to the lowest
bidder? If the government is out Just
to save few dollars, without regard
for any other considerations. 1t will i'm
mediately advertise that bids will be
received from parties desiring to con
duct the $4,000 postoffices in the Unit
ed States, and that in each particular
town or city the award will be made to
the individual offering to do the work
at the lowest price" Ifs this should
be DONE" continued the senator, Il
will guarantee to supply man for
each job who will conduct the Office in
first class shape, giving service equal
to that furnished the patrons today a
man of high moral character, intelli.
gence, and executive ability, and Will
agree to save the government $4,000,
900 per annum-more than su7sclent
, to wipe out the annual deficit"
+ "But it is not the policy of this gov
= eminent to get the cheapest service
Postmasters are paid well as is EVIL
!, denced by the scramble for places; the
o city carriers are well paid; the rail
ways are well paid for hauling the
q mails; the postal clerks are well-paid
r the employees in the postoftice in Wash
4 ington are well paid. Now when II
a comes down to the men who have the
a hardest, most disagreeable work in the
! entire service to perform, the rura
a free delivery carriers, then spasm O.
economy sweeps over the houst post
q Office and post roads committee and i
d proposes to begin with the rural FREE
Il delivery carrier
r. 81 am opposed to the proposition o.
~. another ground 1t would result il
q. endless trouble. ,lGWhen you squeez
all the profit out of a job you are &C
1
give good service and draw in me-
to who think they see little somethin
N in it. but who, like as not at critics
D. time will up and quit, leaving the sci
Is vice in chaotic condition to be har
W died the best that can be arranged ur
til new bids Gamble asked for. Iahav
had more trouble over the little ma
:, ter of contracts with bus men and otl
~ ~, ho,,I nail from railway cts
= lions to local postoffices than with a
u y most any other one thing. 1t is a col
~ slant source of annoyance and to le
- the rural free delivery routes on tn
contract basis would invite ten time
more trouble No, the laborer is wo
Id thy of his hire, and ought to be we
ny paid; he ought to have an average {
IS $T20 per annum."
ed 1t is too early to forecast the pro-
" able action of the house on this mea
he ure, but it is hardly likely it will pas
However, if the minority should tai
it up and advocate the measure on tt
he score of economy, the saving of tt
he peoples money. it may be sent to tt
ot senate in that form. That the claus
nd WI go out in the senate, however,
70. sent there, is reasonably sure.
er- Germans Feel lnsulted.
Capt Rumple, when asked touchir
the probable effect in the second di
ed trict, of the speech of Congressms
= Wheeler, of Kentucky, last week,
a which time he characterized Prime
IA Henry as little Dutchman," and sa
"a I'VE care nothing for the Germans
N said the Germans of his district,
"a well as everywhere throughout Il
u country, would resent the insult. F
81 said the Germans of his distrlc1 al
81 they comprised large part of the pc
M ulation-were among the most intel
q gent and patriotic citizens of the II
I ton, loyal to the stars and stripes
man, yet very properly they ente
tanned warm feeling for the land
| birth or their parents native countl
and that such an insult and uncall
for and unmerited slap in the ia
would not be forgotten.
Frank j. Stillman.