The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1912-10-30
ADDS TWENTY MILLIONS.
Taft's Administration Has Increased
Wages of Postal e >,plsyes.


Wages of Postal e >,plsxes.
More than s2O.0OO,OOO have beer
expended during President Taft's ad
ministration In increasing the wage,
OF 100000 postal employees. Another
$4,000, 900 will be added to the salarie,
OF the 1900 railway mail clerks as
result OF the Redistribution 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 we'll, since the postal
service Is on a self-sustaining basis
for the first time in 2S years.
1t Is true that the enormous postal
deficit Of $17,500,000 with which the
administration was confronted at its
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 self.sus.
tanning basis Is unquestionably true.
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
tons 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 admi.istra.
tons 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 20, 600 clerks.
$3.50 or IL 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, 1879 were removed from
the service last year. or less than ITO
or per cent. In 1894 the annual re-
port shows that out of total force of
l1,73S city carriers more than 400
were removed. or about per cent of
the total number
During the present administration,
Tor the first time I'm the history of the
department, the principle of allowing
one days rest in seven to the classi-
ned employees of the postal service
mas 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 ii has add. |
ed many thousands of dollars to the !
expense of the department. It was
done solely In the interest of the men
and women of the service. Congress ,
recognized the Justice of this psin-
ciple at Its last session by enacting
law limiting the delivery OF mail on
Sunday. ISM
The administration has consistently
recommended to congress the advis-
ability OF extending the annual leave
period OF clerks and carriers from 8
70 80 days, Notwithstanding that the
most conservative z, estimate of the
cost OF such extension Is 81 1000, 900
annually. The president in his mes
sage to congress has repeatedly urged
he Importance, not only in the inter-
'st OF economy. but In the interest of
ola fair and just system of
etiring the veterans of the service on
pension when overtaken by the in
Irmities of old age.
President Taft issued an order in
September, 1910. taking the position
II assistant postmaster at first and
econd class Offices out of the ex-
epted class and placing II in the
Competitive classified service, thus
reating an additional incentive for
aithful and efficient service on the
art of postoffice clerks, city letter
arriers and railway mail clerks.
ince the order was issued promo.
ons to the position of assistant post
,aster have been made from each OF
hese classes OF employees. Another
rider issued by President Taft /.
mended the so-called gag rule"
hich was promulgated by Presi.
ent Roosevelt. by Affirming the right
classified employees to petition con-
ress for redress Of grievances.
In the postofflce department merit
nd fitness alone have been the sole
lctors In the selection of officers and
nployes. Not single appointment
rs been made for political considera-
ons and every vacancy has been
led by the promotion of a classi-
I'd employe from some branch of the
rvice In the organization OF the
,stal savings system, the establish =
ent Of which was ardently supported =
; the president, the officers and en-
Dyes were selected from the CLASH
ID postal service. This will also be
he of the new parcel post system
lich becomes operative January LIST
'xt
II