The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-11-25
REILLY FOR
 POSTAL HEAD
N1ERIDEN CONGRESSMAN BOOM ED FOR POSTMASTER GEN. ERAL AT BANQUET OF
 P. O. CLERKS.
: LOCALS MAKE HIM GIFT
Handsome Travelling Bag Presented At Dinner Attended By Bridge
 port Postoffice Workers.


 
 New Haven, Nov. 25.-A boost for | Congressman Thomas L. Reilly, the l Father of the Eight Hour Postal | Bill" as the next postmaster general 1 of the United States was launched at l meeting and coznplim entary dinner | rendered to Congressman Reilly by the local branch of the United Ma tional association of Postoffice Clerks, | last evening at the Hotel Oneco. The suggestion was made by Frank T. Rogers of Chicago. the national pres ident of the association, and was re- ce1ved with such a display of en- thuStasm that action may probably be taken by the postal clerks all over the country in requesting President elect Woodrow Wilson to appoint the his cabinet. President Rogers made the suggestion during the course of his address which bristled with the praises of the man whose legislative work brought about the passage of the bill for the benefit of the clerks despite the strong opposition of many powerful forces at the capitol.
 The dinner was attended by nearly one hundred members of the associa- tion, including representation from Meriden, Bridgeport and Waterbury, of the passage of the Reilly eight hour bill since it was approved by both houses at Washington.
 Congressman Reilly. Congressman field county and President Rogers were the guests of honor at the din- ner.
 In the course of his talk Congress- man Reilly stated that he deeply ap- preciated the display of good will and feeling towards him and that the cor dialjty of the reception was more than could be expressed. He added in part: 'The labor for which you are all deeply grateful this evening was not so hard to perform as you may think but because of the justice of the law it assisted itself greatly. There was no difficulty in passing the bill through the lower house and it halted but temporarily in the upper house. The justice of the bill told and the result is pleasing to you clerks and your coordinate Branches. the Carriers Association and the As Sociation of Railway Mail Clerks
 '.I have been more than repaid since passing the bill and in fact was paid in advance bg the fact that of the country to be the instrument in securing the passage of the eight hour bill.
 '"The bill would never have been brought to pass, however, if it was not for the fact that the postoffice employees belong to such an efficient and honest organizat ton. The persons primarily responsible for the passing of the bill and to whom you should direct the thanks and the praise are she presidents and the officers of your own association, the Carriers associa- ton and the Railway Mail Clerks as sociation. All of the Rei1Iys in Coun- ty Cavan could not have secured the enactment of the law if you men were not organized and I sincerely hope that before another year rolls by that not only in this city, but in the en- tire state a full 100 per cent. of the clerks will be members of your as- sociation.
 'iThe best way in which you can show your appreciation of the work of the men who secured the passage of the bill is to do your best under the new regulations which will go in- to effect March 4th. Do your very best in all your cities that the mali cfous charges contained in the letters to the postmaster general may be dis credited. I want you to throw those dirty and vile insinuations and false hoods back into the very teeth of the men who uttered them. You can do it. and you will do it. It will give the men in back of the bill the great est of satisfaction by doing this.
 Our opponents have inSinuated that the bill is a scheme to get extra pay for extra work, but knowing the cali Der Of the men in the postoffice ser them to present this bill, I backed it up. If I'd thought that the postal en- p1oyes had any other sentiment behind the agitation for the eight-hour law I would have had nothing to do with it and I know that you men will make strong effort to disprove the base charges that have been made.''
 Congressman Reilly went on to de- plore the present ex-parte procedure in the discharge of government em- ployes as one of the most reprehen- sibie actions of the government. sfThe veriest criminal or the soldier at court martial is allowed the right of being confronted with his accusers and witnesses but the poor postal clerk is simply told of the charges, asked for his side of the story and 99 cases out of 100, is discharged because of the evidence of his superiOTs, of which he knows notbing.'' MT. Reilly spoke of other important legislation, particu- employees to petition Congress or their Congressman. He states that a. bill known as the elimination of executive orders is now in the works and would be heard from at q future date
 Immediately after his address Con- gressman Reilly was presented with travelling bag of alligator skin, com pletely equipped with brushes. combs, etc, by President John M. Ryan of the local branch of the association. In neat speech President Ryan present. ed the bag and told the Congressman that he might carry anything in It that
 Congressman Reilly, in response. and accepting the gift, said: T shall take it to Washington with me and carry something which it cannot contain-the deepest appreciation of all in my heart. In returning nome nope Lnal I shall be able to bring in the bag the discarded unfair allegations made by the opponents of the eight-hour bill, their resignations and even the decapita tions of many of the officials at Washington concluded the Con- gressnan.
 Those present from Bridgeport were: Gordan B. Hagearty, John H. Coyne, Peter Coyne, John J. Quinian, Reg inald Reid, Philip Carroll, Charles J. Gormley. Joseph Flynn, John Con1in Benjamir Root William c. Dietrich. Steven Healy. Frank V. Gilhooley and Thomas P. Hearn.