The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1907-01-20
Swiss Mail Carriers
Have a LeiSurely WAY

visit 70 his old home ln Switzerland.
and tells eu-ertallilEiT az the way
the carriers 30 this country 90 about
their work. Because Of his c0uuec-
lon with the postal service 10 the
United States be naturally was inter
ested in the service IN Switzerland.
and ia addition 10 making various ln-
qgiries. ne took a number 0r photo
graphs.
IN speaking Of the carriers az Zurich
he said; They are appointed in
manner different from the American
carriers. for the only examination
they have 20 take Is -sicaI-ths
same as Is required OF a soldier.
After they have passed this eX-
animation they are eligible 70 a posi-
ton as substitute on probation. While
serving on probation they are paid
about 50 cents a day. Whenever a va
eancy occurs higher In the ranks. an
nouncement IS made iu the Amtsblatt,
the organ OF The government. and
those on probation then apply for the
portion The one who stands highest
by reason Of his daily work. is then
appointed 10 the position OF collector
from the street letter boxes. az q saI-
AIRY Of about $50 "a year. They then.
as opportunity offers. are eligible 70
appointment as porters. Ar "a salary
or about $50 a year. The position -
similar 10 that OF transfer clerks such
as are al The Union station ia thls
city. They are eligible 20 a clerk
ship IN the Office or 10 position a.
letter carrier or as "a parceIs-post car
rier. II they accept the clerical posi-
ton. Al $3.50 a year. they are increased
10 $3.50 Al the end OF twelve years, and
are then eligible % a position a.
money-order clerk a. g salary q $50.
The letter carriers DO not ne a
pouch. but z box suspended By straps
from their shoulders. The boxes have
not as great a capacity az pOunhes.
but the carriers can pile w tbs let
ters high on them. after punching rhs
letters By the use OF rubber banda,
The letter carriers get their letters az
the central Onice and al sabztzuons.
and they carry no parcels.
"AN parcels ere delivered By par-
cels-post carriers. who go about thsfF
duties with a pushcart They obtaia
their parcels ar the railway station.
and sometimes they have a consider
able journey 20 the beginning OF their
routes, but the streets are paved ana
the men seem as willing 70 be parcels
post carriers as letter carriers.
There arc special carriers for money
orders, as the people are not ex-
pecJed 10 ,au al the ONCE 10 have
these orders cashed. The carrying OF
money orders, by the way. is a rather
coveted position because OF the tips.
which range between 90 cents and
$50 week When an order "a
cashed by a carrier it is the usual
thing Tor che recipient OF The money 10
shove back TO the carrier the small
change
"AI OF the men wear a light blue
uniform in the winter. bun ln lne sum-
Lner they wear white blouse. and any
sort Of trousers they prefer. The
clothing is furnished them free by
the government and every three years
they receive, free, au overcoat.
The men work Ten hours "a day.
but accomplish no more work than IS
accomplished bE the carriers in this
country 10 eight hours. They are
rather an easy-g0iug set in regard TO
time, and there seems TO be no penalty
Tor going into a saloon and taking
drink with a friend while on duty, or
for lettering on the corner In CONVEX
sation"