The Brandon news. (Brandon, Miss.) 1892-1961, 1906-02-01
"A large part Of next years appro-

| "A large part Of next years appro-
priations for increasing the pay Of
| postal clerks will be distributed
among the men ii the lower grades.
Postmaster General Cortelyou finds
that under the present system Of pro-
motion it IS difficult to induce bright
young men to remain in the service at
the small salaries paid in the bottom
classes. Consequently the bulk Of
next years promotions will go to the
clerks in the 5000 and 500 classes.
Heretofore most Of the annual in
creases in pay were distributed among
clerks drawing $500, 5000 and 81, 900
year. The result Of this system has
been that hnstling young men at the
foot Of the ladder. were constantly
dropping out and taking better posi-
tons in private industries. Postmas-
ter General Cortelyou finds that when
clerk has advanced to point where
ne receives as high as 81, 900 or ST, 200
year he hestitates to get out and
usually Is content to continue as q
fixture. He. will now give his atten-
ton to improving the condition Of the
men IN the lower grades, and endeavor
to make the service so attractive that
enterprising young men will be sat
listed to remain permanently in the
postal service.
Several Congressman spoke in favor
Of charging the Federal control,
among them Representative Bowers
Of Mississippi, who read to the meet
ing from the brief recently prepared
by Mr.. Edgar Farrar Of New Orleans.
Representative Underwood of Alabama
favored absolute Federal control in
order that Southern commerce might
be less affected. Among those who
spoke against the bill we're: Hum
phries of Mississippi, Richardson Of
Alabama and Randell Of Texas. From
that report, Randell said considerable
opposition to the bill will be present
ed by the Texas delegation. It was
finally decided upon motion of Mr..
Williams, that the chairman, Senator
Mallory, should appoint committee
Of seven members Of which he will be
ex-officio member, consisting of two
other Senators and four members Of
the House to receive bills, resolutions
and amendments on this subject, con-
slider them, and report back to the.
conference on the evening Of Friday,
February s. If they agree on a bill
copies are to be printed 80 every MEM
Ger Of the conference can have a
chance to study it. If they disagree
and fail to frame bill they are to
report that fact.
John F. Wallace, the former chief
engineer of the Panama Canal is here.
Mr.. Wallace stated that his attitude
towards the canal and towards the
administration is friendly and in this
connection referred to assistance he
had rendered to the Board of Con-
sulting Engineers, which had just COM
pleted its reports recommending plans
under which the canal should be con-
tracted. Mr. Wallace added that the
would be prepared to discuss with the
committee fully and frankly all mat
sers connected with operations during
the year he was in charge Of the 18TH
mus. While Mr.. Wallace has refused
to be interviewed except in his formal
reply to Secretary Taft's statement
last June, he stated that Secretary
Taft's quotation Of his (Mr. Wal
lace 81 views favoring the contract
system to expediate the construction
of the canal was correct, and express
ed the opinion that if the system is
adopted there is no reason why the
work can not be supervised by the
regular engineering establishment OF
the army.
A perfect food of petitions praying
Congress to take steps to avert the
tariff war with Germany is pouring
in upon the members Of the Senate
and House. They come from all sec
tiens Of the country, but particularly
rrcrr fhn Ms1JIc Woc%nrn C+ofoc Tho