The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1906-12-10


ployees by many of the leading rail-
road systems has naturally followed
upon the great prosperity Of the coun-
! try. That the pay of many government
employees is less than that Of equally
| important employees Of railroads is ad-
the ranks of government employees can
always be recduited it would seem that
this department must inevitably lose
| many of the best trained and most de-
sirable among it's personnel if nothing
is done for their relief
Competent employees are constantly
leaving the service to obtain better
| wages elsewhere. The salaries paid in
the lowest grades offer little inducement
to those seeking employment Numerous
vacancies caused by the resignation Of
experienced clerks have to be filled, at
best, by inexperienced men, thus low
erng the efficiency of the service. Much
of the work in our postoffices can not
be performed satisfactorily by such
men, as years Of training are required
before proficiency is attained.
Entitled to Increase.
1.-THE employees of this service have
a right to expect that their chosen vo-
cation shall yield sufficient income to
meet current expenses and provide a
little in addition for the needs of the
family in times Of sickness and mis-
fortune. The increased cost Of living
together with the multiplying respon-
sibilities which result from the phe-
nomenal growth of the postal service,
fairly entitle many of it's clerks and
other employees to an increase Of SAL
airy.
NOTE-The salary paid rural car
riers during the fiscal year ended June
80, 1902, up to March 1, 1902, was $500
per annum. Beginning March 1, 1902 the
maximum salary was fixed by law at
$500 per annum. Since July l, 1904, the
maximum salary has been fixed by law
at $3.50 per annum.
Fourth Class Postmaster.
"My attention has frequently been
called during the year to the service
rendered by fourth-class postmasters
They are most representative and
reputable body Of our citizenship and in
many communities are the only direct
agents of the federal government. In
another place in this report, and also
in my report Of year ago, have re-
ferred to the necessity of more
thorough supervision of the field SER
vice. These postmasters should be
brought into closer relations with the
department. If this could be accom-
plished, am confident that the better
knowledge of their requirements and
the fuller appreciation of the character
Of their work that would result would
lead to an improvement in the condi
lions surrounding their employment.
To Improve Method.
For years a change in the method
of fixing their compensation has been
urged upon the department. Some
months ago a commission appointed by
the acknowledgement gave careful
consideration to suggestions for more
equitable method, but the commission
was obliged to report that for the pres
ent at least, no Improvement in the ex-
listing system could be recommended.
With the increasing business now done
through these postmasters, in cOnse-
quence Of the extension Of rural deliv-
cry and other developments Of the pos
tai service, additional burdens are put
upon them without additional compen-
sation, and the serious question is
fod fn xxyho fhoir
sation has at all kept pace with their
added duties. Whatever can be done to
meet the needs of this branch Of the
service by administrative action will be
done, but it is hoped that the congress
in canvassing the general question of
compensation and allowances will in
clude a consideration Of their claims.
At the same time some consideration
might profitably be given to any
existing inequalities in the compensa-
ton of postmasters at a number of
presidential offices.
Scond Glass Matter.
'"This subject was also discussed at
length in my last report. During the
period 1 have had charge Of the de-
partment 1 have found the laws re-
lating to second class mail poorly
adapted to present conditions, and be-
come convinced that a substantial
change or revision tending to simplifi-
cation is most desirable. For years the
department has been endeavoring to
secure revision of these statutes.
From time to time their defects have
been pointed out and explained. This
class is intended exclusively for bona
fide newspapers and periodicals., and
for them only when they observe the
laws limitations and prohibitions.
There were and still are abuses and
they occasion loss of revenue. Reform
of the abuses is progressing steadily,
! but each years experience gives fresh
emphasis to the need of legislative ac-
| ton.
Causes Disturbances.
Zone unfortunate and unavoidable