New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-12-15
POSTAL RULES ENFORCED.
Dismissal of Offending Carriers a
Bloc to Pernicious Political ActiUity.
IFnoM THE TRIBUNE BUREAU


Washington. Dec. l4.-As a result OF the peremp-
tory dismissal OF James Keller. president of the
City Letter Carriers Association, and Frank H
Cunningham president of the Rural Letter Car
riers Association, from the postal service the two
organizations will have to select new agents if they
desire TO be represented before the Postofhce De-
partment, the discharged clerks will have no
standing before the department and will not be
ceived by any official The order of dismissal was
severe blow to the practice Of perncious politf-
cal activity" among government employees. and in
dcates that it will be no longer tolerated by the
administration. 1t has been the uniform practice
Of the Postof1ce Department to receive the head
of the letter carriers associations and take under
Amusement such suggestions might be made in
the interests of the This courtesy
sumed to be due to the carriers and their repre-
sentatives and every facility has been given them
for the presentation their requests the depart
ment. Now that Keller is not a member Of the
posta! service, it follows that the department can
receive him as the representative of the
riers. His usefulness to that body is therefore at
end. He cannot be recognized by the depart
ment. If he IS retained through a revision OF
the constitution of the Letter Carriers Association
since he Is longer employe Of the service,
and therefore not entitled to recognition such.
The department holds that the carriers cannot, by
act of any association Of their own creation de-
mand that a representative be received unless he
IS an employee Of the service. The humbest car
rier would be received the department If he went
there with a to promoting the interests of his
associates and his call in accordance with ofh-
cial precedents Thus far and no further would the
president of the Letter Carriers Association re-
ceve the attention of the department. Offices IN
the Letter Carriers Association always held by
employees of that branch OF the postal service This
rule has been suspended only once. This was in
the case Of John Parsons carrier Of the New YORK
office who resigned his place there to become presi-
dent of the association. Keller, however, did not
resign but was dismissed, and is therefore Un-
classified by postal service and cannot be recog-
nized by the department in his present capacity
with the carriers association.
John c. Bunton. of Hobohen, N. J.. is vice-presi-
dent of the association, and would naturally sue
coed Keller. although the executive committee of
eligible man for the office if they find that Keller
tee Cennot he cSiIed excenI nv the president Of
the association It is expected that this action Will
be taken by Keller in order that ne may learn
his status soon as possible.
Frank H. Cunningham, president of the Rural
Letter Carriers Association. carrier attached TO
the Omaha Office. was removed for violation Of the
any employee of the government any association
Of such employees attempting to influence legisla-
solicit increases of pay for their services such
employees cunningham tried 10 anuGdPaLe the
failed his attempt. Postmaster General Wynne
presented his resignation to Mr.. Bristow he told
him that he proposed to remain in Washington to
carriers. Mr.. Brstow inquired who to pay
for his time and expense ana was informed that
Mr.. Bristow then fatty told Cunningham that any
tribaiGg to FUND for the support Of obbys
in Washington would be instantly removed from
the service. This is new rule. and will be
rigidly enforced by Postmaster General Wynua
Whenever an infracton of it is brought to his at
tention. 1t WILL therefore, be impossible for the
carriers association TO retain Keller its head
for IL must be shown that he Is supported by
contributions from the carriers, and every man
who subscribes to such fund will be dismissed.
The Postof1ce Department has taken a decided
stand on this aspect of the affair. and will not
tolerate any violation of the rule. 1t applies to
both Cunningham and Keller, and any other
employee of the service who contributes to the sup
port of a lobbyist at the capital.
The next investigation. already ordered, which
vice is that OF Secretary lumber Of the National
Association OF Rural Carriers Mr.. lumber is at
tached to the office at Lockport, n. Y and has also
been charged with activity in violation Of the Elk
charged with having sent circulars regarding
pros ective legislation and inquiries as to the at
tude of candidates for office. AS there are about
twenty-eight thousand rural carriers the influence
independent action Of members Of Congress could
not be brooked.
Other officials Of unonized associations some Of
them being affiliated with the American Federation
Of Labor have called the Postoffice Department
for Information Is 10 whether not they would be
permitted discuss with Congressman matters
regarding increased pay and k ndred subjects. The
answer has been that such permission would not be
given them, the subjects being directly in hands
of Congress. which must not be Influenced by repre-
sentatives Of any union
The Postoffce Department malnta that the
clerks are protected by the Civil Service rules in
the tenure Of their positions and that such proteC-
ton does not warrant them through an association
in attending to cOer.e Congress into mere asing
Is shared by the Postmaster General and all other
officials Of the department and along this line all
questions arising over the Presidents order will be
settled.