Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-05-04

The negative vote favored the follow
ing of the present regulation Of the
clerk remaining mum" OF course
these votes have no bearing on how
the matter will be handled: 1t was
simply to get an expression from the
postmasters on their stand on the
ruling.
! Ram Raises Next Question.
Postmaster Howard L. Ram Of
Manchester brought up the next topic
of discussion which settled the ques
ton of whether or not the postmaster
can issue money orders paid for by
farmers to the rural carriers II
checks. The answer was soon given by
the inspectors, but it did not retard
the discussion. According to severa
inspectors present the only way q
postmaster can issue money order
on check is to cash that check our
of his own personal money. It cannot
be taken from the postal funds.
Postmaster Ram stated his diem
ma in few words. He asserted that
many farmers give rural carriers
checks to pay for money orders they
| wish to send out. The carrier gets IN
after the bank closes. He cannot get
the check cashed until the next morn
ing. The postal law is that the post.
master cannot accept checks for
money orders. Postmaster Ram
wanted to know if this check could not
be cashed that afternoon out Of the
postal funds in order that the money
order might be sent Immediately and
not held over until the next day when
howl 1vNy,1d hn Npon
Inspector Duncan asserted that the
only way a postmaster can cash a
check for a money order Is to do so
out of his own money and at his own
, risk. The government extends credit
to nobody A number of postmasters
stated their way in taking care Of this
matter and not few Of them found
that they are violating the rule. They
now know how to proceed.
Judge Whorton Here.
Judge Whorton, the newly ap-
pointed postmaster OF Omaha, Neb.,
appeared in the convention hall this
morning. President Law called upon
him for few remarks Postmaster
Whorton is somewhat of q humorist.
He said in part" The newspapers and
other factors in publicity are agitat-
ing the matter that the government
does not have enough machines. But
the man who tossed his hat in the
ring says the government has too
many machines. Be that as it may
am glad to be able to attend this meet
ing and l extend the greetings of not
only Omaha, but of the entire state Of
Nebraska. I am surprised to find that
you postmasters have troubles In
Iowa. Come out to Omaha. we don't
have any troubles there. Everything
runs smoothly. sincerely believe that
us such wonderful superintendent Of
the mails" !"
Postmaster Whorton also told few
stories Of interest to postmasters be-
fore retiring.
All inspectors Here.
One Of the features of the conven-
ton today is the attendance Of the en-
tire corps Of Iowa postoffice inspect
ors. It is a rare occurrence for all to
be called into one city at one time for
any purpose and it Is a much rarer
thing to call them for a convention.
Those present are Inspectors Stewart,
Bassett, Wellborn, Van Dyke, Game,
Duncan, Ranger. Miller, Battell.
Masten and Farrell
Inspector in Charge George Daniel
Of St. Louis called in his corps OF in
spectors that they may meet with
the postmasters of the state and be-
come better acquainted with them. He
Is also DESTROYS Of giving the post
masters the best possible results Of
hat "a
the men who can settle their troubles.
The presence of the entire corps will
enable all to meet the postmasters in
their respective districts and get in
touch with them for greater and more
advantageous work.
Inspector Duncan, whose territory is
not confined to Iowa, but throughout
the district, paid high compliment to
his chief, George Daniels. "Mr.
Daniels is one Of the most progressive
inspectors I have ever known. He be-
lieves In getting people together, get
ting them to know each other better
and secure their greater interest in
the one cause for which all ere work
ing. the improvement Of the postal de-
partment. Mr. Daniels Is one Of the
best inspection supervisors in the
service. He climbed from the position
Of carrier and knows men and their
work in postoffices. His four years
services on the coast has given him
unlimited training"
Parcels Post and Civil Pensions.
Civil pensions, a movement now be-
ing agitated by postmasters through
out the entire United States, which
will provide a pension for superannu-
ated employees, and the parcels post
question whereby the postal depart
ment will carry all packages not In
excess Of eleven pounds, were heart
lily endorsed by the postmasters in
session yesterday afternoon. II there
are any P. Ms opposed to parcels post
present they failed to enter their
verbal opposition. Strong talks were
made in favor Of this extension Of the
and arguments combating
those Of the retail merchants were Of
fered. It Is certain there was not a
postmaster present who is against
civil pensions. It may be said that the
postmasters of the state Of Iowa heart
lily endorse both parcels post and civil