The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-07-02
LABOR UNIONS.

In connection with the postoffice investi-
cation attention is directed by prominent
administration leaders TO what is regarded
as growing evil among government en-
ployes. Many postal employees. IL is learned.
are members of union labor organizations
1t is stated that the National Association
of Postal Clerks is affiliated with the prin-
cipal labor unions, and it is understood
that a plan was recently formed 10 induce
the Carriers National Association to become
a part of the Knights of Labor or the Fed
Grafton of Labor Department officials say
that this movement frowned upon by
the government authorities, and that as
result IL was suspended. The postal clerks.
in defense of the action in afhliating with
labor unions, cite the case OF mechanics
and other employees in the government navy
yards who are allied with labor organiza-
tions. But the question as 10 the proprlety
of postal employees being under the control
of any agency except the federal govern
ment is being considered, and complete sep
aration between the two, ii is believed, may
be ordered eventually.
petition against the granting OF the con-
tract for supplying money order blanks 10
the Postoffice Department TO Paul her
man on the ground that he Is virtually
a subcontractor having no plant of his own
and also because he is said 10 have taken
advantage of his recent employers con-
f1dence to bid below the cOncern-tne Wyn-
-Hallenbeck-Crawford Company, OF
New York-for the pending contract.
1t is stated here tonight that the efforts
of James n. Metcalf, former Superlntend-
ent of the money order system. TO be rein
stated will prove futile. He was dismissed
on a charge of attempting 10 divert a con-
tract. As Herman's responsibility is estab-
lished by the law officers OF the depart
ment Metcalf is entirely discredited and
the prediction is made that POSTMASTER
General Payne will decide against rein
statement.
to-day that the action of Postmaster Gen
eral Payne in calling upon the Bureau or
Corporations in the Department of Com
merce for information relative to firms
supplying postal supplies will be generally
followed by other cabinet heads. AS a re-
suit of the postoffice Investigation great
care has been exercised recently in award
ing contracts. The government now hav-
ing a bureau authorized by law to look into
the operations of corporations II is believed
that the functions of the bureau will be
made broader than was contemplated at
the outset.
Additional clerks and promotions became
effective to-day in practically all or the
first and second postoffices in the country,
the two highest of the three presidential
grades The additional clerks allowed ag-
gregate approximately 1000 and the promo
tions of clerks already employed make an
aggregate increase of over S1,OcO.OOO In the
salary rolls These allowances approximate.
as general average, 40 per cent. OF those
recommended by the postmasters through
out the country, including New York.
Exactly S96 new rural free delivery routes
were put in operation to-day, the f1rst
since the establishments were suspended in
view of the deficit on that account for the
fiscal year Just closed. They bring the
total number of routes I'm operation to ap-
proximately 1000? JOHN Z. MONK