The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-02-23
BRIDGEPORT MEN
 ARE nONOnED BY
 THEIR ASSOCIATES
Howard and Ragge.ty Chosen to lfflCe by fos..al
 Societies
Big Meeting of P. O. Carriers and Clerks at Midd.etown Yesterday -" "Eom" Reilly a Speaker

Middletown, Feb. 23-Middletown was yesterday invaded by post office clerks and carriers from every part of annual convention of each association. Heretofore it has been customary for the associations to meet on different dates, and yesterday was the first time the associations have met in one was the mt banquet which was held last evening in the Y. M. c. A. gym nasium. Over 400 delegates and in- vited guests were in attendance, in- cluding over twenty of the State post masters. The large gymnasium was artistically decorated w'th American flags, red. white and blue bunting. potted plants and palms. Prominent in the decorations were large ctures of George Washington and the seal of the State of Connecticut.
 Postmaster Arthur B. Calef was the toastmaster, and he officiated with that rare grace for which he is noted. Mayor Willard c. Fisher welcomed the guests with one of his character stic speeches speaking on the subject "The City of Middletown and Her Invited Guests" Frank T. Rogers of Chicago, H.. President of the United National Association of Post Office Clerks, | going into detail as to the good that has been accomplished through the organ zed efforts of the association. He was followed by an address on the same lines by William E. Kelley of ! Brooklyn N. Y.. President of the Na- tional Association of Letter Carriers, whose subject was Organ zation." in favor of the proposed civil service retirement bill. and James Ark nson of Fall River. Mass. President of the Mutual Benefit Association, spoke on Insurance" Hon. John Mckinley. postmaster of New London. represent ed the postmasters of the State and gave a talk on "Postmasters of Con- necticut."
 Mayor Thomas L. Reilly of Meri- den Congressman-elect who is a warm favorite of the postal employees, got a rousing welcome as he rose to speak on 'HThe Pension Problem" He went into careful detail as to the mer- it's of the bll. now pending before Congress, and told the postal ern- ployees he would do all in his power to further their interests in any mat ter.
 Edward J. Cantwell of Washington. D.. C., Secretary of the National As sociation of Letter Carriers. had the last speech of the evening on "Legis- lation," in which he presented in an able manner the various b Ills and acts now being considered at Washington. | During the banquet, excellent music was rendered by the Mi5dlesex Or chestra, Professor F. A. Wilbur lead CT. The be nauet brought to fitting conclusion what was everywhere term ed as the most successful convention on record. The idea of the two asso- citations meeting Jointly was praised highly and there $ no doubt that the h1 tv, F,r ture.
 The l, sting delegates arrived in large numbers about. noon and were met by the reception committee. head ed by Postmaster Calef. MT. Calef later entertained the visiting postmas- ters at the Middletown Club. Mss Adah Bielby, stenographer at the local off ce entertained the lady clerks at her home on College street. Head- 1uerters of the clerks were at Rcd Mems Hall while the carriers held forth in Pythian 4s1l Tn the even ing Main street was brilliantly Hum mated with thousands of electric liehts. hung from festoons stretched across the street.
 At the business session of the car riers the following officers were elect ed: President, Thomas c. McClusky. waterbury: vice-president. P. H. How:
 
 Saunders. New Haven; delegate to National convention to be held in Syr- acuse, N. r., George R. Rudolph, Mer- idea.
 The clerks at their convention elect ed the following off'ce~s: President, John NJ. Ryan New Haven; first vice. president William Q. Stowall Meriden; second vice-presi dent J. E. Roberts. Bristol: secretary. G. .B. Haggerty. Bridgeport: trea surer, Sidney c. Kieft Middletown: finance committee. F. T. Horan Hartford: J. H McLaughlin. New Haven; George W. Black, Stam- ford; delegate to National convention to he held at Jacksonville. Fla. J. F. Birden Hartford. The next convention of the association will he held in Hart ford, February p, 1912.
 At both conventions action was talk en regarding post office bills now pend ng in Congress but nothing was given out for publicati tion.
 TnT-TC E HIT nEylR AND