New-York tribune., 1905-01-17
CARRIERS In POLITICS.
The Campaign for More Pau That
Resulted in DismissaLs

washington, Jan. 16.-Postmaster GaneraI
Wynne transmitted to the House TODAY ga
statement of facts" relative to the dismissal os
james c. Keller, presidcat OF the City Letter
Carriers Association, and Frank CUNNINGHAM,
warren Tumber and H. w. AIdrich officers Of
the Rural Carriers Association. The informa-
uon is in response TO resolution introduced by
Representative Hearst and agreed to by the
House The Postmaster General says Mr. Keller
was dismissed for being absent from his post
OF duty without leave. In his showing before
the department. Mr.. Keller states that he re-
ceived oral leave from the late Postmaster Gem
eral Payne to be absent from duty for a year
When the department ordered his return to duty
ne hled letter. saying 1t was impossible for
him TO do so at present His dismissal followed
The campaign of the rural carriers for an in
crease Of pay is set forth in the communication
In a number of circular letters credited to the
three carriers named. and all based on an ex-
pecition made by Cunningham TO New York
where he saw Chairman Cortelyou, of the Re-
publican National Committee; Chairman Tag
gart. OF the Democratic National Committee,
and Representative Overstreet secretary of the
republican Congressional Campaign Committee.
Inc plan was outlined at a dinner in st. Louis,
ana cunningham was instructed TO make the
pest bargain possible" with THE politicians" It
was proposed that Representative Overstreet
should give out "a newspaper interview, to the
erect that at the coming session he will allow
10 be reported out of the Postoffice Committee
the Fairbanks bill 0he situation in Indiana is
that Fairbanks will be defeated the Republicans
are or that opinion, and should be glad of a
chance to make this trade); then what-this in
terVlew will be flashed all the country by
me Associated Press that Overstreet will do
Ihls. We will then get in work of getting
congressman and candidates to commit them
serves 70 vote for the bill. We will then get out
The Free Delivery News with extra whoop-
ing up OVerstreet that he is not such bad
fellow, after all. and urge the carriers to support
the whole ticket. But if Cortelyou does not
agree TO this plan, then we must do our turn in a
game Of bIuf-say to him that we will SUPPORT
the head Of the ticket but, we have nothing
10 expect from a Republican House, we will
ticket
Inc comment Is then made:
1t is a bold plan, but it is better to go along
than TO stand still Both political parties think
ana beIleVe we have much more strength, many
more members in our organization, and a more
perfect organization than we really have This
is very much in our favor, and all comes from
the quantities Of kilograms and petitions sent
TO Washington last winter.
Cunningham reported to Tumber by letter
from New-York on October II, 1904. follows:
I saw Mr.. Cortelyou to-day. and he said he
had long talk with Overstreet, and that he
could not give me any encouragement as Over
street would not commit himself I saw Mr..
Taggart this afternoon. and he talked though
the Democrats would, without doubt, pass the
bill If elected. told him. however. that we
could only support a Democratic House I will
meet him again tomorrow morning.
After a meeting between Cunningham and
Tumber, in Buffalo. October TO- 1904 long
circular letter to carriers was prepared by
Tumber. In it he says:
I have presented to you the advice of the
executive board. 1t Is their best judgment that
all carriers and their friends should support the
head of the Republican ticket, but a Democratic
House
The Postoflce Department says that all the
rural carriers named absent from duty
without leave, in addition TO their activity in
politics. The carriers were dismissed Decem-
Der Is 1904.