Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1906-10-11
F, ". WILSON
RETURNS HOME
ATTENDED THE NINTH ANNUAL
CONVENTION OF NATIONAL
ASSOCIATION
Postmasters From All The Principal
Cities In Attendanee-Tells Of the
Princuple Topics Under Discussion
Attends Unwilling OF Statute.

Postmaster f. W. Wilson has return
ed home from st. Louis, Mo-, where
he attended the ninth annual conven-
ton OF the National Association of
Postmasters of Offices Of the First
Glass. which was held October g. A and
s. In speaking of the meeting, Mr..
Wilson, who is member Of the ex-
ecutiye committee of the association.
said:
"The meeting was a good one, well
attended and very beneficial to mem
bers Of the post Offices in the different
cities. Postmasters from all over the
United States were in attendance.
zone Of the topics which caused the
most discussion at the meeting was
the question of clerks salaries and
stations. The topic was introduced by
the Hon. Guy T. Gould. assistant SUI
perintendent OF salaries and allow
s. Wapole, Pueblo, Colo. Hon. III. ID.
Palmer, Omaha, Neb.; and Hon. Har-
ry Blum Of Savannah, Ga.
For Increase of Salaries.
'"The sentiment expressed in the dis
cussion was for an increase of salaries
for the postal clerks. 1t was brought
out In the discussion that a large num-
Der of clerks over the country are leaT-
ing the service for the reason that they
can make better wages in other lines
of work. One postmaster from a west
ern city said that a number of his
clerks found street car work more
profitable.
1.-THE work of postal clerk requires
man who is bright and energetic.
He has to become familiar with the
names Of nearly every resident of the
city he works in. His wages are very
small compared with the work he has
to perform. Usually he commences at
a salary Of $500 per year. His in
crease in pay depends entirely on what
congress approprlates for that pur-
pose.
'In other lines of business a man
has the assurance of something in
sight for the betterment Of his salary.
The postal clerk does not have this.
The pay at present does not attract
men to this branch Of the service. This
can be readily seen when the civil SER
vice examinations are held. For an
example in this office, / have only two
names to draw from at present. One
of these men, l believe, has left tho
city.
Speaks Of Code Book.
Another feature of the meeting was
the address delivered by Postmaster
William 3. Tscharner Of La Crosse
Wis. who spoke of the present size o1
the code book for postnasters contain
ing the rules and regulations.
I'm Mr.. Tscharner's talk some very
sensible criticisms were set forth. The
present size of the book is about 70f
pages, which is too large A book ol
rs or 100 pages with the rules con-
densed would be of more advantage tc
postmasters. For 1t would be easier te
get at. At present it would be imops-
sible for postmaster to commit the
rules to memory.
1.-THE sentiment expressed at the
meeting was one of approval for the
condensing Of the code book, and be-
lieve there is a committee at present
working for the revision Of the book.
1900 Clerks in Line.
while in st. Louis attended tho
unwilling of the statue of St. Louis
which ceremony was held at Forces
Hill park last Thursday. In the large
parade of four miles in length, 1,20t
postal clerks took part. They had
their own band, made up from the
clerks and which numbered 81 pieces
They made a very pleasing sight
dressed in white caps, white blouses
and dark trousers.
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