New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-02-21
POSTAL CLERKS WIN.
Pay Increase Restored Apwopia-
ton Bill Passed.

Washington, FEB Through the instrrImentaiity
o. the Committee On Rules the House was enab led
to-day 70 pass the Postofice Approp1ia ton bin in
,ludnz lie Increase Of compensation to clerks and
osrr;ars end a reduction in the compensation for
railway transportation Of mail A few amend
rrents allowed TO remain In the bill but they
did not materially affect its general outlines Al
o-e ri-1e however. Chairman OveTstreet in charge
Of the bill told the House that unless some way
could found 10 reinsert the provisions which had
bsen stricken points of order the postal ser
vice would be psralyzed.
Representative Fitzgerald. of New York kept
his promise OF yesterday that ne would make a
point Of order against the increase OF rural car
rfsrs and that paragraph went ont. Mr. Hedge.
Of Iowa. took the responsibility Of raising point
OF order against the reduction Of compensation for
railway transportation. and Nj. Macon. or Arkan-
sss raised points Of order on nearly all the other
paragraphs attacked Curiously enough the clerks
m the large cities profted immensely through Mr.
Macon's point order against increasing their
pay. The paragraph inserted under suspension Of
tie rules provides that clerks shall be promoted
from 500 20 $500, instead Of 800 grades. Other
changes were made through the efforts of Repre-
seutatlves Parsons Bennett and Olcott. Of New
York, whereby the clerks victories.
The provisions which went out the questions
OF order raised by Messrs, Fitzgerald. Hedge and
Macon we're restored through the adoption Of A
rule making them IN order
There were many clashes in the debate Mr.
Sherley- Of Kentucky. ft to call a halt on
Chairman Overstreet by telling him he was super
sensitive" Mr. Hedge, OF Iowa, rePrimanded Mr.
Finley Of South Carolina, a fellow member Of
the COMMITTEES on Postofices and Post Roads for
a alleged violation OF the rules OF the House in
stating the floor what had occurred in execu-
tive meeting Of the committee Finally Mr.. Noon
Of Tennessee. told Mr. Macon. of Arkansas that
when he raised point of order against the com
mission to investigate the business methods Ct the
service he did a great injury to his country, and
had he himself made the point Il would havs been
criminal, but, inasmuch a Mr.. Macon had raised
H. Mr. Moon declined TO describe its character
By The terms Of the amendments reported from
the Committee on Rules seven grades OF clerks are
established IN hrst ana second class Offices, with
salaries ranging from $500 s. 1d). City letter
ranging from $500 to SLIGO. Railway mail clerks
divided into SIX grades below that Of chief clerk,
salaries IN each grade being increased 500 and
ranging from $50 s. 20. The ma 1imUm salary
for rural carriers IS fixed $50.
Two new provisions were added by the Rules
Committee, one providing thar the Postmaster Cen
era may IN ms discretion give railway mani clerk
thirty days sick leave any fiscal year with Lay
government during the period for which he receives
leave and the other that carriers who June go
lsSl. are regularly employed ct $500 shall be
promoted the fourth grade, satisfactory egi-
M Williams OF Mississippi the minority leader.
said that his side was in favor OF the substantive
legislation recommended by the Rules Committee.
nut 10 ia consistent the Democratic side would
have 10 vote against the adoption OF the rule be
cause II curtaied debate The rule was adopted
without division
An order was adopted directing the insertion in
TIE BIZ by the enrolling clerks Of the recoTnm enda-
mons Of the Postal Commission relating TO the Ie
adjustment Of railway mail pay by the Postmaster
General. beginning July next