Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-08-29
COMING ON TO EXPLAIN
CHICAGO POSTMASTER ON Ma
TIoNAL LABOR UNION CASE.

CHICAGO, August 29.-Postmaster Fred
A. Busse of Chicago will leave for WASH
irgton today to consult with the authori-
ties on the formation of a national labor
union of postal clerks in affiliation with the
American Federation Of Labor
The announcement made Monday that
such an organization had been formed
caused surprise in government circles. Mr..
Busse declared he had no idea such a
step was contemplated by the clerks.
II the national union conducts its busi-
ness along the same lines as the Chicago
local has done in the past it is my per-
sonal opinion that there will be no OBJ
lection to it," said Mr.. Busse
Inc union has been in existence in Chi
cago Tor number of years. Its officers
@ alom iume to time have called attention to
certaln grievances, which they have a
rleht 70 do. and which we have tried to
remedy to the best of our ability OF
course, II the new union follows the lines
ta .. some labor organizations and attempts
u SET wages and working conditions there
might possibly be a hitch, as the laws gov
ernng the department are infiexible."
e b. Goltra, president of the National
reoeration OF Post Office Clerks, said that
.ne new union would not In any way an
taeonize heads of departments nor act con-
trary< to the established rules
Inere is nothing in our oath of allie
SSns W tug soNeLnment, ne said, that
forbids US joining a, labor union for our
mutual benefit. We understand that any
Improvement In our condition must come
through legislation and we expect to have
tae support OF organised labor in trying
to secure such legislation If we cannot
ulrectiy appeal to Congress on our own
pehalf, we must do SO indirectly, and this
We expect to do through the legislative
committee OF the American Federation of
LABOR and of the various central labor
podies throughout the country Talk Of de-
Tying President Roosevelt or striking
against the government is puerile, and had
never oeen contemplated by u.s."
1t was stated at the Post Office Depart
ment this morning that no official news of
the reported organization of postal clerks
mas been received there, and until such
news comes Acting Postmaster General
hitchcock does not care to speak about the
probable attitude Of the department toward
the association.
In reply to an inquiry as to the ruling of
tne department. which, it is said, will af-
ton to the following executive order. dated
January 81. 1902, and reprinted by the Post
master General and sent to ali offices in
October, 1905:
All officers and employees of the United
states of every description, serving in or
under any of the executive departments,
and whether so serving in or out of WASH
lneton. are hereby forbidden, either directly
or indirectly individually or through asso-
Citations, to solicit an increase of pay or to
influence or attempt to influence in their
own interest any other legislation whatever.
either before Congress or its committees. or
IN any way save through the heads of the
departments in or under which they serve.
on penalty of dismissal from the govern
ment service"
Whether the new organization will come
under the ban of this order Is claimed at
the department to be an open question in
view OF the fact that no light on the situa-
tion has come properly before the notice,
OF the department.. 1t is understood that
the Postmaster General does NOT wish to
prevent Organization which is legitimate
under the order and will not be hasty in
any decision he may make in the matter