The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1912-08-14
POST OFFICE BILL
PASSED IN SENATE
Parcels Post and Unionizing
Cause Two Days of
Hot Fighting.
(National News Association)

(National News ASSoc1atlon)
WASHINGTON, D. c., Aug. IA. i
The annual postoffice appropriation
bill passed the senate last night at the
end of two days fighting over provi-
sions relating to parcels post, good
roads improvement, and the affiliation
of postal employees with labor organi-
cations.
AS it goes back to the house the
bill contains some restrictions on the
right of postal employees to join out
side organizations; and an entirely
new system of parcels post. based on
the zone plan," with varying rates
for varying distances.
1t was during the debate on this bill
that Senator La Toilette charged that
his mail had been tempered with
while in custody of the department.
He refused to add to his charges yes
terday and the postoffice department
probably will make no investigation
unless ordered to do so by congress.
Acting Postmaster General Grandfield
and Chief Inspector Sharp reiterated
today their denials that there had
been any tampering with the senator's
mail.
Many Important Differences.
The appropriation measure will go
into conference with many important
differences remaining to be settled.
The house provided that no employe
of the postal service should be sub
ject to reduction or removal for join
ing an organization having for it's OBJ
ject improvements in conditions OF la
Dor or compensation.
After fight involving the right of
government employees to strike, the
senate today approved this in part, but
provided. that employees should not join
an organization which imposes an OBJ
legation or duty to strike or to assist
in a strike against the United States"
Under the terms of the bill as it
passed both houses employees have the
right to appeal to congress for redress
of grievances.
The Bourne Bristcw parcels post sys-
tenn, which the senate substituted for
the flat rate of IL cents per pound,
fixed by the house on packages, pro-
vides for eight zones ranging from fiji
ty to more than 1900 miles, and grad
uated rate ranging from to IL cents
per pound. The limit of weight is elev-
en- pounds A rate of cents for the
first and l cent for each additional
pound is provided for rural route and
city delivery.
Claims Right to Strike.
The question of the right to organize
brought about the sharpest debate
claimed flatly that postal employees
had a right to strike. Senator Root
and Senator Sutherland attacked that
| contention sharply.
''The next step would be a strike oil
the military and naval force and other
government employees declared Sena
tor Root. "The next thing we know
we would have no government"
THE post office department has moi
only discouraged, but forbidden, the
organization of railway mail employ
es,' said Senator La Toilette. He de
clared the fight against postal organi
zation was directed against the Ameri
can Federation of Labor, and nothins
else.'
La Toilette and Root Clash.
Senator Root and Senator La Fol
lette got into a wordy clash owe
whether Mr.. La Toilette favored legis
lation in the post office appropriation
bill which would sanction a strike o
government employees. When MI
Root asked the Wisconsin senator ,
direct question to that effect Mr.. L,
Toilette shouted that he refused t
be trapped by the senator from New
York"
Mr.. Root insisted that La Follett
withdraw the remark, saying it wa
offensive.
IF the remark is offensive 1 wi
modify it," said La Toilette.
ut is offensive" returned Senate
Root.
Il do not sanction legislation tina
would in any way authorize strikes o.
the part of postal employees" said MI
La Toilette, and the squall blew ovel