The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-12-23
POSTAL CLERKS ASK
FOR A NEW SYSTEM
Want Plan of Graded Salary
Increase
WILSON BILLS ENDORSED
Postmaster Carter of Birmingham
Talks of Defects of Present System
Secretary Smith of Clubs
Association Also Talks.
WILSON BILLS ENDORSED

The resolution introduced by Postmas-
ter J. Rivers Carter of Birmingham in the
meeting of the Commercial club Friday
afternoon, and which was adopted, is
said to be one of widespread interest not
only in Birmingham, but in the entire
country.
The resolution Is an endorsement of two
bills that were introduced at the last
session of Congress by Representative
Wilson, calling for a Redistribution OF
hours of work and salaries of postal
clerks in postoffices of the first and Sec
ond class.
The resolution adopted by the CONNER
cal club recommends the passage OF
these two bills at the present session OF
Congress, and a copy of the resolutions
will be placed in the hands of Congress
man Oscar w. Underwood for his consid-
Grafton. Similar resolutions are being
adopted by commercial and other bodies
all over the United States. it Is said, and
strong pressure will be brought TO bear
OH Congress to give relief to this class OF
the governments employees.
In explaining the object of the resolu-
ton lust before its apodtion, Postmaster
Carter said: Postal clerks are started on
a salary of $500 a year, and there Is no
promotion from this except through
special recommendation of the postmas-
ter. The department takes no account of
the individual efficiency of the employee.
Carriers Better Paid.
"The carriers are on much better
footing They are started on salary OF
5000, and after one years service their
salaries are increased by regular process
Of law with a certificate of service from
the postmaster
''It seems to me that the postal clerks,
whose duties are just as arduous and re-
uuires the same and often more ability
than the carriers should be placed on the
same footing During the past two years
the postmasters of the first and second
class offices have been unable to retain
efficient men in the postal service as
clerks on account of the increased cost of
living and the inability to increase sal
aries
"All the postmasters in the country are
interested in the movement to Increase
the salaries of the postal clerks, as 1t
would enable us to retain good men and
keen the service at a higher standard of
efficiency. We cannot do this under the
present system"
Mr.. Smith Talks.
In discussing the object and the pro-
visions of the Wilson bills, Linden p.
Smith, secretary of the Postal Clerks as
ISOLATION of Birmingham. said: Not only
the clerks affected but the postmasters
all over the country are interested in the
passage of the Wilson bills to reclassify
hours of work and salaries of the postof-
flee employees.
"Under the present system a man is not
promoted by any process of law and must
be content with 5000 year unless he is
raised by special recommendation of the
postmaster, and then the necessary APP
preparation may not have been made, and
the promotion is slow The plan of special
recommendation is not satisfactory either
to the employe or the postmaster and
should be obviated by Congress.
LAS the salary list now stands in the
Birmingham postoffice As per cent of the
clerks receive 5000 per year, % per cent
receive 500, Is per cent receive $500, 3 per
cent receive $500 and per cent receive
more than 5000 and under s14o0. Only one
man in the office receives s140.
"Outside the general reason for promo
ton OF postal clerks the Birmingham Of
flee presents special reasons for promo