Evening star., 1907-10-23

Third Assistant Postmaster General.
Class Postmasters of New York.
After greeting the postmasters as repre-
scntatives of the greatest organization
under the government of the United
States, Mr.. Roberts continued:
Famous Investigation Noted.
Some years ago the blood OF every
man connected with the postal service
was quickened by a searching investiga-
ton. We faced a crisis. But the execu-
tive took hand, and a strong hand, and
the service was purified, until now 1t Is
as clear, as legitimate. as righteous as
any in this country. From the example
set to him every postmaster feels that
and to keep up to the duty that lies
before him. In many sections the post
master is the leading man Of his COM
munity. and 1t is to him that his fellow
citizens look for help and advice. He
must be broad, liberal and eminently
fair, and must always recognize the fact
that he is the servant of the people.
I'VE all know our congressional breth-
ren. There Is not a congressman worthy
of the name who will insist upon having
anything done that Is not for the good
Of the service. But not all men are Of
the same mold, There are various types
Of congressman. So If there should be
one who should insist upon something
that you know Is against the good Of the
service, tell him so in manly spirit.
1t may thus sometimes come within the
duties Of the postmaster to point out his
duty to a congressman. would not
suggest that the $4,000 postmasters in
this country had anything to do with
say. that they have much to do in the
making Of public opinion.
Congress can take notice and take
warning.
No Politics in Post Office.
1--WE often hear it said that there is no
politics in the post Office. That means
uf course, that the civil service laws are
obeyed-of course you know by heart
every word on the 600 pages of those
regulations-and that the rules of the
Post ONCE Department are observed
Therefore the regular in politics troubles
you little. He knows exactly what you
can do. But the irregular, who knows
little Of politics and less Of the practical
you to do something for him that Is i'm
possible and to scoff at rules and regula-
tons.
Remember that the postmaster is the
servant of the people. You must do what
Is fair and right, and do It on the spot.
You have a wise and efficient director at
the head of the department, Postmaster
General Meyer. He has made certain
suggestions for the enlargement of the
service that will make us more than ever
II the parcels post and other suggestions
are carried out 1t depends largely on you,
for a word in time to your representative
and Senator will go a long way. His
suggestion for postal savings banks will.
believe, release for the country many
boarded millions.
I'VE need to have reforms suggested
from the ranks, and I have a suggestion
to offer right now. BY congressional
enactment the contract for mail messen-
ger service Is let to the lowest bidder.
This results in the work being given to
some cripple or man SO reduced by die
sipation that he can get no other en-
ployment.
He is so eager 1or the work that ne
undertakes 1t for $3.50 a year. on which
he cannot live. 1t is impossible for him
to buy a uniform. and people complain
about him and criticise Uncle Sam for his
niggardliness. This system is legal, but
to my mind it Is a disgrace to have it SO.
Your power lies in putting out this and
other errors. If you find that some such
reform is made on account of your visit
to Washington, your conventions will not
have been in vain"
Mr.. McCleary's Address.
James T. McCleary, second assistant
postmaster general. was then introduced
by Chairman Marcellus, and spoke in part
as follows:
"Mr. Chairman, postmasters, post
mistresses in form and postmistresses
in fact: The postmistresses in form
are those who hold the commissions in
their own name. Those in fact are
those whose husbands are postmasters
There are many of them. and am glad
to see SO many of them here. You
have come to Washington for the con-
ventionS but you are also going to see
the citV. That i2 adllcatf0n in II
self. You will go home richer in
knowledge and more patriotic in spirit
Il have been in Washington q good
many years. and I am proud to say