The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1912-11-01
TAFT's ADMINISTRATION HAS IN
CREASED IMMENSELY TAE
WAGES OF POSTAL EN-
PlOYES.
PERSONAL WELFARE HELPED
The Increase for Employees Is Another
Splendid Achievement Of PresI-
Gent Taft-One Days Rest In
Seven Afforded to Postal
Workers.


of the 1900 railway mail clerks as a
result OF the Reconsideration of the
railway mail service now in progress,
an administration measure, provided
tor in the appropriation act for the
current fiscal year. More money has
been given in the promotion of the
welfare of postal employees under the
Taft administration than under any
former administration, extending over
for or even eight years. Not only have
postal employees reaped the benefit,
but the public as well, since the postal
service Is on a self-sustaining basis
for the first time In 2S years.
10 Is true that the enormous postal
deficit of s17,500,000 with which the
administration was confronted at It's
beginning has been wiped out, but in
the face Of these figures the criticism
80 often made that this result was
accomplished at the expense Of the
employees Is absurd. That this in
creased efficiency of the employees
has been an important factor in put
ting the postal service on a self-sus-
but no one can deny that this increase
In efficiency is due to better wages,
shorter hours, an impartial system Of
rating efficiency, on which all promo
lions are based, and better methods
FOR safeguarding the rights Of en-
ployes. The only possible conclusion
that can be drawn from a comparison
OF the separations from the service
from all causes during the present
administration with the number that
occurred under former administra-
lions is that the employees are better
treated, better disciplined, more eff
cient, and therefore more contented.
AS an illustration, the annual report
OF 1906 shows that out of 10000 clerks,
2,34O, or II per cent, voluntarily left
the service in that year Last year
the voluntary separations from the
service amounted to about per cent
Out of a total force of $4,000 city let
ter carriers, 1919 were removed from
the service last year or less than ITO
of ! per cent. In 1894 the annual re-
port shows that out of a total force of
11,736 city carriers more than 400
were removed, or about per cent of
the total number
During the present administration,
for the first time in the history Of the
department, the principle of allowing
one days rest in seven to the classi-
fed employees of the postal service
has been recognized. and during the
last two years practically every post
office clerk and city letter carrier has
been granted complete day of rest
on Sunday or compensatory time dur
Ing the week equal to the Sunday
service. This was not done In the
interest Of economy, since 1t has add
ed many thousands Of dollars to the
expense Of the department 1t was
done solely In the interest OF the men
and women OF the service. Congress
recognized the justice of this prin-
ciple at its last session by enacting
law limiting the delivery of mail on
Sunday.
The administration has consistently
recommended to congress the advis-
ability of extending the annual leave
period of clerks and carriers from 10
to 80 days, Notwithstanding that the
most conservative estimate of the
cost OF such extension Is. 100000
annually. The president in his mes
sage to congress has repeatedly urged
the Importance, not only in the inter
est Of economy, but in the interest of
humanity, of fair and just system of
retiring the veterans Of the service on
a pension when overtaken by the in
firmities of old age.
President Taft issued an order in
September, 1910, taking the position
of assistant postmaster at first and
second class Offices out OF the ex-
cepted class and placing 1t in the
competitive classified service, thus
creating an additional incentive for
faithful and efficient service on the
part of postoffice clerks, city letter
carriers and railway mail clerks
Since the order was issued promo
tions to the position of assistant post
master have been made from each of
these classes of employees. Another
order issued by President Taft
amended the so-cslled gag rule"
which was promulgated by Presi-
dent Roosevelt, by affirming the right
OF classified employees to petition con-
gress for redress of grievances.
In the postofflce department merit
and fitness alone have been the sole
factors in the selection of officers and
employees. Not single appointment
has been made for political considera-
tons and every vacancy has been
filled by the promotion of a CLASH
fed employe from some branch of the
service. In the organization of the
postal savings system. the establish
ment OF which was ardently supported
by the president, the officers and en-
ployes were selected from the classi-
fed postal service. This will also be
true of the new parcel post system
which becomes operative January LIST
next.
AS a still further incentive to faith
ful endeavor and In the interests OF