The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-08-11
CARRIERS EXCITED
Uncle Sans Faithful Letter Carriers
Have a Hot Presidential
Fight on Hand. ID.
A Triangular Contest to Be Settled
at the Convention at SYRIA
cuse, Aug. 81.
From The Journal Bureau, Room IS, Post Build.
ing, Washington.

From The Journal Bureau, Room IS, Post Build
ing, Washington
Washington, Aug. 1.-THE thirteen thou
sand members of the National Association
interest the action OF the. convention at
Syracuse, N. Y, which begins on Aug. 81.
For the past three months an active cam
paign has been conducted for the presi-
dency of the association, the leading candi-
dates being M. A. Fitzgerald: Of New York
city, James c. Keller OF Cleveland, Ohio,
and Edward J. Gamer of Muncie, Ind. For
number of years the association has been
vitality interested in the bill to increase the
salaries of the letter carriers, and as the
conventions are hereafter to be held BIZ
Syracuse will hold their positions for two
years. the policy to be adopted by the con-
vention and the officers to whom Its ex-
ecution will: be entrusted are matters which
affect every one Of the $1,000 letter car
riers in the country.
The three candidates are making their
campasns on platforms dealing With this is
the present executive board and believes
that the best line to pursue is the advocacy
of the bill giving maximum salary Of
and $1,000 to the carriers in the smaller
cities. He will be backed by the New
York and Brooklyn delegates. and will
other large cities.
Mr.. Gamer is the champion Of the claims
Of the carriers in the smaller cities. These
carriers contend that there Is very Nttle
difference in the cost OF living between
the smaller and the larger cities and there
fore the salary Of the carriers in the small
er cities should be made the same as these
in the larger cities-$1Oo per month. They
also contend that If their salaries are put
on par with the salaries of the carriers
in the larger cities, it will then be easy
for the latter to secure a corresponding in
crease and thus everybody will be salts
fed Mr.. Gainor has been endorsed by a
number of branches and will be a strong
candidate. ..... 80
MI Keller is now the president of the
association. Two years ago he made cam
paign on the ground that If elected he
would introduce reform" methods and do
away with Influence During his two
terms as president Mr.. Keller succeeded in
having the salary bill introduced and re-
affairs, and hearing was given on it., but
this Is as far as it ever got, no report
ever having been made even by the SUBJ
committee. Soon after Mr.. Keller entered
on his second term the postoffce depart
ment revoked his leave of absence and or
as letter carrier, since which time nothing
has been done to promote the salary bill,
as Mr.. Keller has been unable to appear
either before congress OF before the de-
partmnt. The reasons which led to his
| being ordered back to Cleveland will, it is
! feared operate against him in case he is
reelected president, and it is not believed
that either cong ress or the department would
| be inclined to receive him favorably az
representative Of the ASSOCIATION
membere of the executive board, and Kelley
is ex-officio member. an entirely new ex-
ecutive board will be elected in harmony
! with the policy OF the successful candidate
whoever he may be. The convention will
be In session six days.