Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1903-12-03
Reconsideration OF PosToF
EIcE CLERKS.

An eight hour wOrkday, proper re-
compensation for the work done and
adequate rewards in the way of pro-
motion, are the objects of legislation
that will doubtless be considesed by
congress this winter looking to the re-
classification of the clerks employed
in the first and second class postof-
fees. In reviewing the conditions
under which the clerks in these Of
fees work and the arduous duties per-
formed by them, as presented by
Frank T. Rogers. president of the ma
tional association of postoffice, clerks
it appears that several changes are
badly needed and could be made with
great benefit to the service in this de-
partment. Mr.. Rogers in statement
submitted to the house committee on
postoffices and post roads, urges that
the necessity of reclassification of
the postotfice clerks has been felt by
the department for great many
years and calls attention to the rec
concentrations made by the postmas-
ter generals at various periods during
the past twenty winters.
Under the act passed by congress in
March 1889 the postmaster general
each year submits to congress an es-
innate of the probable cost of clerk
hire for that year. When the appro-
priation is made the chief of salary
and allowance division allows Ger.
tain amount to each postotfice author.
| lied to employ clerks. 1t is apparent
| to the most casual observer that under
such a system unfairness and Unequal
| ity in the salaries paid to the clerks
could not but result. While such a
| service might have been adequate to
the needs of the country in the early
days it now too antiquated for the
| proper management of the immense
and growing service of today.
| The bill submitted or to be SUBMIT
ed to congress this winter with re.
gard to the reclassification and pay
of clerks provides that all clerks EN-.
ployed in offices of the first-class, who
are receiving a salary of less than 81, )
200 per year shall have an increase of
| $1,000 per year until their salaries
shall amount to $1,000 per annum 1t
/ further provides that clerks of this
class may receive additional promo
tion up to the final maximum of 81, 400
4 per year under such regulations as the
postmaster general may prescribe.
1 AS to the clerks in the second-class
postoffices the bill provides that those
now receiving less than $1,000 pei
year shall be given an annual in
i crease of 500 until their salary shall
amount to $1,000. These clerks shall
i receive additional promotion up to q
q maximum of $1,000 per annum under
the rules provided by the postmaster
4 general
i The bill also provides that the post
masters of first and second-class post
offices shall annually submit to the de
partment. rosters of the clerks at
tached to their respective offices tt
take effect at the first of the fisca
year after being duly approved by the
postmaster general.
A bill to be submitted to congress.
provides that the clerks in these of
fees shall be required to work not eS
ceeding forty-eight hours during tn,
six days of the week with such hours
on Sundays and holidays as shall b,
necessary for the good of the service
Such provisions we think are meri
, torious and only in accord with tn,
provisions that have already beef
made by the government for the EN-
ployment of city letter carriers an,
railway postal clerks. The duties O
the clerks in the large offices of tn
country are exceedingly eXacting an,
are often performed in crowded an
entirely unsanitary quarters. BY tn
present arrangement the salaries pai
these men are often unequal. Thi
measure or one drawn on similar limo
should certainly be carefully consider
: ed by congress during the coming wir
: ter.
, =---------
!. These cities that are coming fol