New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-08-23
MAIL CLERKS BONDS.
Those in RaLzoay Service Can Secure
Them Cheaply.
lFRox THE TRIBUNE BUREAU


Washington, Aug 22-Ten thousand clerks
| employed in the railway mail service, and their
! friends throughout the country were for a time
! disposed TO regard with disfavor the order re-
Gently issued requiring bonds for the faithful
performance of their duties. They regarded it
as a reflection upon their official integrity and
needless expense to a class of employees whose
record is not excelled by any Of Uncle Sans
workers.
Now. however, that the situation has been
fully explained. and the railway mail clerks
have had an opportunity carefully to examine
the various phases of the subject, they prac
tically a unit in commencing the innovation
They have become convinced that it works no
hardship. the cost Of bonding to them is so
slight 10 be absolutely insignificant. They
have found out that responsible bonding COM
panies look upon them so favorably risk
that they will charge them u premium of only
% cents year for 81 600 bonds.
When the complete reorganization Of the Post
offlce Department was determined upon the com
mttee having il in charge discovered that the
only employees connected with the department
from whom bonds not required were the
railway mail clerks. 1t was contended by the
office of the Second Assistant Postmaster Gen
eral. which has charge of the railway mail ser
Vice. that the losses through this branch of the
service were so slight that the government
would save money by insuring itself and the
proposition to place this service under the bond
ing system governing the other branches was
vigorously opposed. The consensus Of opinion
however was favorable TO uniformity in the de-
partment. and the committee recommended the
change
When Postmaster General PAYNE issued the
oIueT' the Department advised various RESPONSE
pie nondlng companies of what would he re-
qulred and required them to submit estimates
ior hlanket or individual bonds. The responses
IaVe oeen particularly gratifying TO the depart
nsht. 3S Wen as complimentary TO the railway
mail clerks, and as soon as received have haa1
transmitted 10 division headquarters throughout
me country in this way every clerk in the
service knows just what he will have 10 paw for
ms Sl,OOb bond. and. up to date has found CON
stantly decreasing premiums Though II has
reached the astonishingly low figure of 50 cents
ior pond OF $1,000. IT is not believed that
bedrock price has yet been quoted.
When All the companies shall have been heard
from, every clerk will be informed of tho exact
amount charged by every company on the list
lie can then elect which company he wishes to
pohn hinl' as there viii be no cOmpulson of any
Klnd exercised by the department regarding his
choice Then again. If he SO desires he may
furnish private bondsman. who can Qualify In
the amount necessary TO indemnify the govern
ment In case Of loss. He is absolutely free 10
bond himself wherever he may find the terms
most advantageous
II was in a conference between representatives
of the Railway Mail Clerks Association aud de-
partment officials that these facts were made
known which led TO dissipation Of the oppo-
sition manifested when the order was prOmul-
gated When the employees Of that branch Of
the service asCertained that leading companies
were willing to bond them for 20 per cent less
than the rate accorded to other classes of en-
ployes they We're highly eratiied with what they
considered testimonial TO their efficiency and
integrity They are willing, they say, to pay
the price of a half dozen good cigars for the
privilege IF bonding themselves at rate less
than half that paid by any Of their colleagues.