New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-05-26
CONTIGUOUS POSITION.
Declares Political Postal Organiza-
lions Detrimental.

Washington, May 25.-The National Associa-
ton of Postmasters Of the Second and Third
Glass which met here to-day in second annual
convention was addressed by Postmaster Cen
eral Cortelyou, who outlined his position regard
ing organizations of postal employees and the
part such employees may take in politics He
said:
Organizations within the department, to re-
ceive its sanction IN any degree must have for
their object improvements In the service, or
be of a purely fraternal or beneficial character.
With any other purpose In view, they are detri-
mental to the service, to their members and TO
the public. 1 believe the object OF this meeting
to be worthy one, and have come here to-day
because l want you to feel that the Postmaster
General is interested in every proper effort to
raise the standard of efficiency In the Postefice
Department.
NV duty as head of the department is to in
sist upon loyal and efficient service from every
employe as an individual and without any
thought OF his affiliations with any organization
1 recognize every empleye individual to
be appointed, advanced, transferred and in all
respects treated upon merit 1t must be clearly
understood that the officials of the department
ana not the officials or members of any or
ganizatioa are the proper persons to present
the departments needs TO Congress. If | find
that any class of employees are inadequately
eompensa ted, 1 will do whatever / properly can
to secure increased compensation On the other
hand, l viii recommend curtailment in any
branch of the service where the Gompensa ton
seems out OF proportion to the work done and
this applies not only to all classes of employees
their
positions If they did not take proper interest
in public affairs. but proper interest in public
affairs, as matter Of course. bars them from
participation in fractional differences or any
other political action that would bring discredit
upon the service or show lack of apprecia ton
OF their relation to it.
Efficient as the postal service is there is still
a sad lack Of good business In Some of its
branches ana many years Of routine methods
nave brought about an inertia that is difficult to
overcome. 1 think we have altogether too much
red tape in the department l think we go
around too many corners instead of making
straight cuts TO results. But these weaknesses
and difficulties should be but incentives to every
man and woman in the service to raise it's
standard, that 1t may be made the great bust
ness establishment the people have a right to
expect 1t to be-
The convention took recess that it's several
hundred members might personally meet Mr..
CorteIyou.
Postmaster Merritt of this city made an ad-
dress of welcome. and addresses were made by
Richard F. Lawson. postmaster at Efingham,
H. the president of the association, and Post
the vice president
In his address President Lawson said that
under existing conditions the country postma ster
H'tst pc very reSourceful fellow, since political
practices decree that he must be able to corral
delegates and control conventions in order to
make sure of reappointment while the civiI
service rules say that he must refrain from per
hlcious activity in politics under pain of re-
mo nova from the office acquired through that
seIf-same activity The Bible saws he must
remember the sabbath day TO keep it holy or
lose his immortal SOUL the speaker added.
while the postal laws and regulations say he
must distribute the mails Sunday or lose his
peioved Joo So he must keep eye on the
politicians and the other upon the Civil Service
commission through the week, and on Sunday
serve a cosmopolitan public and take his
chances"
Mr.. Lawson expressed hope that President
roosevelt would soon muzzle the political bear
by placing the postmasters of the second and
Inlra classes In the Civil Service. $50 that they
can render the efficient labor insured under the
! merit system and make the postal service a
!eeltiihate profession" Mr.. Lawson referred to
postmaster General COrtelyou and his rise in
punhc service through the merit system. and
characterized him the logical successor to
President Roosevelt in 1909