The Paducah sun. [volume] (Paducah, Ky.) 1898-1906, 1905-01-17
Report Made on Keller's Recent
Dismissal.
Rural Carriers Thought They Were
Smart Ducks-Wantcd Their
Salaries Raised.
THEY PLAYED BOTH ENDS

Washington, Jan. 17-Postmaster
General Wynne transmitted to the
house yesterday afternoon a state
ment of facts" relative to the dis
n,lssal OF James c. Keller, president
of the City Letter Carriers Associa-
ton, and Frank Cunningham, War
rem lumber and II. w. Aldrich, Off
GERS of the Rural Carriers Associa-
ton.
The information is in response to
a resolution introduced by Repre-
sentative Hearst and agreed to by
the house. The response says Keller
was discharged for being absent
from his post of duty without leave
In his showing by the department
Keller states that he received oral
leave from the late Postmaster Gen
eral Payne to be absent from duty
for a year. When the department or.
dered him to report to duty he filed
a letter saying 1t was impossible for
him to do so at present. His dismiss
al followed.
The campaign OF the rural carriers
for increase of pay is set forth in a
communication in a number of circu-
lar letters credited to the three nam
ed carriers, and all based on an ex-
petition made by Carrier Cunning
ham to New York, where he inter
viewed Chairman Cortelyou of the
Republican national committee,
Chairman Taggart of the Democratic
national committee and Representa-
tive Overstreet, secretary of the Re-
publican congressional campaign bu-
roau.
The plan was outlined at a dinner
a, St. Louis and Cunningham was in
structed TO make the best bargain
possible" with "the politicians"
IL was proposed that Overstreet
should give out a newspaper inter-
view to the effect that at the coming
session he will allow to be reported
out of the postofilce committee the
Fairbanks bill '(the situation in In
diana is that Fairbanks will be de-
feated; Republicans are of that opin-
ion and should be glad of the chance
to make this trade) then what-this
Interview will be flashed all over the
country by the Associated Press that
Overstreet will do this.
1--WE will then get in our work of
Cetting congressman and candidates
to commit themselves to vote for the
bill. We will get out the Free Deliv-
cry News with an extra, whooping
Up Overstreet, that he Is not such a
bad fellow after all, and urge the
carriers to support the whole ticket.
"But, II Cortelyou does not agree
to this plan, we must do our turn in
game of bluff-say to him that we
will support the head of the ticket,
hut as we have nothing to expect
from Republican house, we will
support Democrats for the remain
der of the ticket"
The comment Is then made: TITS
bold plan, but It's better to go
a,ong than TO stand still"
Both political parties think and
believe we have much more strength,
many more members in our organi-
cation than we really have. This is
very much in our fayon and all comes
from the quantities of kilograms and
petitions sent TO Washington last
winter"
Carrier Cunningham reported to
Carrier lumber by letter from New
York October IA, as follows;
IL seen Cortelyou today and he
said he had had long talk with
overstreet and that he could not
give me any encouragement as Over
street would not commit himself,
seen Taggart this afternoon and he
talked as though the Democrats
would without doubt pass the bill If
elected, told him, however, We
could only support Democratic
house. | will see him again tomor-
row"
After meeting between Cunning
ham and lumber in Buffalo, Oct lS,
1904, a long circular letter TO the
carriers was prepared by Tumber In
IL he says:
II have presented TO YOU the ad-
vice OF the executive board, II is the
hest judgment that all carriers and