Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-08-11
MEASURE BEFORE SENATE
Senator Nelson Sees Calamity in
Enaeting the House Provision.
SAYS THE CLERKS OPPOSE IT
Debate of the Post Office Appropria-
ton Bill-Further Consideration
Goes Over to Monday.

TIE right OF the employees OF me fOSI
Office Department To form organizations
and 10 affiliate themselves with labor and
other organize tons occupied the attention
of the Senate for more than an hour yes
terday afternoon during the debate on the
post office appropriation bill
That it would he IL calamity for the
postal service TO have an outside labor
union go on strike and thereby tie up the
postal service through the utilization OF
the postal clerks with the striking or
sanization. was the statement of Senator
Knute Nelson of Minnesota Senator Mel
son was talking to that section of the
bill which. as passed by the House. spe-
ciaIly provides that membership in any
society or organization of postal en-
pIoyes. having for its object with
other things improvements in the cOndl-
ton of labor of its members is TO be al
lowed. The Senate committee had stricken
out this provision.
Senator Nelson said that President
Chard of the Railway Mail Association
had called upon him and declared that the
great majority. probably 81 per cent. OF
the railway mail clerks were OPPOSED to
the enactment OF such a law for the rea-
son that they would he forced into the
formation of labor union by some of the
radical clerks and compelled to affiliate
with outside labor organizations. which
they did not desire. They were perfectly
satisfied with the organizations within
the ranks of the postal service which
they are now at liberty to form. he said.
we ought TO give these clerks the pro-
lection they WISH. said Mr. Nelson.
Department Reserves Rights.
Letters were read by Senator Bourne,
chairman of the Senate committee, and
Senator Reed of Missouri. the one from
the Postmaster General and the other
from the second assistant postmaster
general, which clearly indicated, accord
ing to Senator Cummins. that the Post
Office Department reserves the right to
pass upon the character of all aSSOcia-
tons within the ranks of the postal serv-
ice which the clerks may join. Mr.. Cum
minis declared that while he, too, could
not conceive of a strike the part of
employees of the government. he could not
subscribe to the present policy of the de-
partment.
The provision in the bill which assures
to clerks the right to be given a hearing
when charges are brought against them
for removal was somewhat strengthened
by the Senate. The same section con-
tainS provision permitting clerks to
carry their grievances to members of
congress or congressional committees,
thereby legislating out of existence the
executive orders of former President
Roosevelt and President Taft torbiddng
the clerks to appeal personally to the
members of Congress The Senate COM
mittee had stricken this provision from
the bill. Senator Nelson Offered an amend
ment replacing it. Senators Reed, Ash
urst and MARITIME also supported this
proposition Final action on all these
provisions was finally passed over until
Monday.
The cotton tariff bill, the unfinished
business of the Senate, was passed in
order to permit the Senate to proceed
with the post Office appropriation bill.
While considerable progress was made
with the latter measure. the greatest
points at issue, the provisions for a par
GELS post and the so-called good roads
provision. were not acted upon.
Working Quorum Not Present.
1t became evident early in the day that
a working quorum was not present, and
that if a quorum were insisted upon ad-
journment would follow. Therefore. to
get as much accomplished as possible,
the senators passed over knOtty points.
The Senate did agree. however, to vote
tomorrow upon the section dealing with
the good roads provision and such
amendments might be offered. This
part of the bill is To be taken up i'm
mediately after the conclusion of morn
ing business.
The Senate committee has recommend
ed that commission be appointed to look
into the advisability of the federal gov
eminent giving monetary aid in the con-
strUction of roads throughout the coun-
try as a substitute for the provision made
by the House for the expenditure of about
SlS.Gbo.tDD for roads now used by the
government for the transport of the
mails. Senator Simmons of North Caro-
lima advocated an immediate apprOpria-
ton, declaring that the farmers of the
country had never received the aid from
the government which has been accorded
the railroad and the manufacturing in
terests He said, too, that the practice
OF appointing commissions to pass upon
matters of public interest had been run
into the ground, and that If Congress
were not careful the people would come
To believe it not capable of passing judg
Jnent on these matters.
Newspaper Clause Modified.
The Senate modified that section of the
bill compelling all newspapers. magazines
and other periodicals to make public the
names Of the publishers. officers of the
companies stockholders and bondhOlders.
The House bill provided that these names
should be published daily. The Senate
committee changed this so that the pub
fishers must file these names with the
Post Office Department twice a year and
lowing the filing of the names.
An effort was made by Senators Gronna
and McCumber of North Dakota to have
the maximum pay of letter carriers of
the rural delivery service increased TO
$l.2OO a year The sum fixed by the Sen
ate committee is 81 100 This matter
went over also