Omaha daily bee., 1912-04-23
Joint Session Held and Members of
Association Listen to Addresses.
NATIONAL OFFICERS PRESENT
Senators and Congressman to Be Ap-
pealed to for Relief Sought.
FACTS ON MAIL SYSTEM GROWTH
Speakers Favor the Parcels Post and
Explain that the Postal Service
Can he Made a Revenue
Producer.

AT the joint session Of the Nebraska
State Association of Postoffiee Clerks and
the Nebraska State Association OF Mail
Carriers yesterday afternoon the greater
portion Of the time was given over 70
oratory. The meeting was presided over
| by George J. Kleffner OF the Omaha car
rier force. who introduced Postmaster
Wharton as the first speaker and the
party who would deliver the address OF
welcome. ~.
In referring to the present postmaster.
Mr.. Ileffner pointed to him as an official
whose word is as good as his bond and
an official who says yes" and no" when
tho occasion demands and then stands by
what he says Although he has held the
office but short time. Mr. Kleffner said
that clerks and carriers had learned TO
respect him and look upon him as man
who is In sympathy with them and one
who has an interest in building up the
office. .....
when he arose to speak Postmaster
Wharton was accorded hearty recep-
ton and his address was considered Of
such worth that II was ordered published
in Its entirety In the official paper OF the
organization.
Postmaster Wharton in extending q
welcome to the visiting clerks and car
riers said that he did not attempt to
speak as veteran, but as one who was
In perfect accord with the men and
women about him. and that In doing so
extended welcome TO all Of the clerks
and mail carriers who were In attend
ance upon the convention. He referred
to the occupation as one of the most hon
orable lines Of calling. an occupation
that had continued since before the found
ing Of the republic,
BiE Per Cent Honest.
In paying a tribute 10 the people who
handle the malls. Postmaster Wharton
declared that % per cent OF those EN-
ployed are honest temperate and indus
trious the department not tolerating
the shifttiess, the laxsards or those who
are dishonest and for this reason the
business men Of the country and all 9TH
ers have come to respect the mail men
as among tho best citizens not only in
! tho cities but in the towns and In the
country all over the union.
Figures relative TO the Omaha post
office we're given. showing the growth
during the years since its establishment.
The speaker also put himself on record
as favoring better pay for employees and
pension for years Of service.
Ed. j. Gaynor. vice president Of the
National Association OF Letter Carriers.
dwelt upon the cost OF service. the well
being OF the employees and efficiency.
| He secuted the idea that the Postoffce
department cannot be made a paying In
| stitution II parties and concerns us'sg
the mails nay their just proportion Of tho
cost OF operation. He contended that
annually seeds and speeches Of senators.
congressman and department heads are
franked and II they paid postage as they
should. the revenue derived would aggre-
gate t2IOooCOo. while slOo 10000 is lost
/ to the government annually by reason
Of the fact that newspapers. magazines
and other periodicals do not pay postage
rate equal to that exacted when similar.
matter is sent by individuals.
Fayors Parcels Post.
The speaker contended for the parcels
post. taking the position that there is no
reason why pound Of butter. q dozen
eggs or package OF merchandise should
not go through the mails IL reasonable
rate Of postage is paid.
| OF the treatment OF employees, Mr..
Gaynor talked for shorter h0uTe and CO
! operation between empioyes and heads
OF departments. that in the end a model
institution may be built up and main
| iained.
| w. II. Canayan. secretary and treas
urer Of the National Clerks association.
! talked in favor Of the parcels post. pre-
dieting that the time Is not far distant
when 1t will be in general operation.
He favored the holding Of joint meetings.
but opposed the amalgamation OF the
two organizations. contending that by
working separately, they would be able to
accomplish more good for each and both
| However. he urged that they get together
and work for the civIl service pension
bill that superannuated employees would
have something to look forward to after
being dropped from the service.
Urges Co-Operstion.
! Captain Schole of the army retire.
/ ment boa I'd tlrKad co-nDera tton ans h..