The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-12-25
POSTAL CLERKS
 ARE IN REVOLT. Many of Them Leaving Rail way Mail Service HITCHCOCK IS BLAMED Charged By Clerks That Rigid Method of Economy Put Into Practice Is as Hard as Swcat-Shop
 Methods
HITCHCOCK IS BLAMED
From the Syracuse Herald.

From the Syracuse Herald.
 Turning under the new rules for re- trenchment promulgated by Postmaster General Hitchcock, railway postal clerks all over the country are threatening to resign and some have resigned. The aboli- tion of several privileges which the clerks had has aroused them and they declare that the rigid system of economy inau- gurated will result in many efficient men leaving the service.
 The Herald has received a communica- ton from one who says he is in a posi- tion to know, but he dares not have his name known for the reason that 1t would be unpleasant for him. This communi- cation says, in part: l .5
 Postal clerks are required to memorize from 5000 to 10000 postoffices or more in various states tevery office in each state learned; they are subjected to very se- we're physical. nervous and mental strain and to the hazards of railway travel, to abuse by railway employees, to close espi- onage by chief clerks and superintendents in the mall service, and to the criticism of everybody in the country. They are on duty daily, or six days deek, or two-thirds or one-half of the time. ac-
 
 on duty daily, or six days week, or the year, from $500 to S1600., according to length of time in the service and amount or nature of work performed. They are subject to calls for extra duty at any tune; they are not permitted to conduct any regular business lon the side," to hold any remunerative office or to en- gage in any financially helpful enterprise; they are not permitted to take active nt tr, no1itipg n are denied the right of suffrage; they are expected to live at or near the terminal points of their runs, regardless or eX- pense incurred, and must pay for their meals and lodging while away from home. They are not permitted to seek favorable legislation or to ask the assistance of congressman. They are constantly treat ed with suspicion and contempt and are subject to demerits and fines for all kinds of delinquencies, intentional or otherwise. avoidable or otherwise.
 Multiplicity of Orders
 They are harassed constantly by a multiplicity of orders and rules more or less consistent with common sense. changed frequently and somteimes con- ficting Worst of all, they are subject to the tyranny of departmental officers who know practically nothing about the mall service, who draw fat sal- aries for having other men do their work and who embarass the service in every conceivable way contrary to the suggestions of the few minor officers who really know what can and should be done and dare to make their opin- ions known. The one privilege enjoyed by the postal clerk over the soldier or sailor Is that of being permitted to re- sign at any time that the condition of his mind, or body, or finances, or his simple manhood, forbids his continu- ance in the government service The longer he stays in the service the more unfit he becomes for any other kind of work; all he can reasonably ex- pect is a slow increase in pay to $12O0, $500 or $1400, then corresponding decline or the loss of his position by reason of physical or mental deterfora- | ton or death or injury. No adequate provision has yet been made for brok- endown postal clerks and none for the temporary relief of sick and disabled clerks off duty without pay as the re- suit of accidents, poisonous drinking water, cold cars and other insanitary conditions imposed upon them.
 l Sweat-Shop Methods
 l The present Postmaster General has tnaugurated an era of economy, not by cutting down the exorbitant rentals paid for cars to the railroad companies. amounting in each two years to the cost | or L06 CdTSs uOt py iCuuSih6 thO oebi aries of more than 400 postmasters who are receiving from $3000 to sS000 an- nually and doing little or nothing to earn it; but by subjecting the clerks in the railway mail service to sweat shop methods. For years clerks performing service daily for six days a week have been granted 15 days leave with pay each year and their service has been kept up by acting clerks at government expense; this has been dis continued and clerks due to be "off duty" are compelled to do the work without additional pay. Clerks injured on duty have been given leave with pay, service to be maintained by acting clerks paid by the department; this toe has been discontinued It has been the custom at holiday time to employ act ing clerks for absolutely necessary as-
 sistance in handling the enormous amount of mall transmitted; this year the work is to be done by the regular
 force, already overworked, and the re- suit is likely to be indescrible . Substitute clerks who have been on tht
 eligible list for year or more and have l