The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1914-07-17

former president OF the association,
who was unable 10 attend ON &C.
count OF Illness.
l.. II. Wilson Of Olivia. the nation
al secretary, addressed the assem-
blage. He said the history OF the
world showed that whenever any.
thing great was accomplished IL
was done by organized effort Co
operation and unity of purpose he
said would bring the result desired
by the rural letter carriers. All the
rural carriers ought to belong 10 the
association. The rural carriers had
been Disseminated against in that
| the city carriers were allowed q
horse and wagon. when needed,
and something for the maintenance
Of them. The rural carriers re-
ceived no such favors.
Ample Wages Wanted.
Mr.. Wilson declared that one of
the objects Of the association was
to get ample wages for decent
living. One thing that the rural
carriers should do was TO get back
OF the substitute carriers and see
that they were given preference In
making appointments TO vacancies.
The speaker made the point that
the government I'm paying men who
carried the mail according TO mile
age did not make any allowance for
the different kinds OF roads over
which the carriers had TO ride.
Sometimes a long haul was much
easier than a short one and could
be made in less time. simply be-
cause of the different kinds Of roads.
The government should make phys
ical surveys of the country through
which rural carriers had to make
deliveries and pay should be appor-
toned accordingly.
Should Have Special officer.
Mr.. Wilson expressed the opin-
ion that there should be special
officer at Washington with the duty
of looking out for the welfare OF
the rural carriers and hearing their
complaints. Such an officer would
be as busy man as could be found.
The speaker closed with the
thought that there ought to be a
greater degree of brotherly love
among the rural carriers than actu-
ally existed. This was necessary
for proper and effective co-opera-
ton.
A telegram was received from
Spokane, wash, with the greetings
OF the state association of rural car
riers which was also having its con-
vention there. The message was
signed by the president, Charles
Peterson. II was in response to the
one sent yesterday by the Minnesota
convention.
Address of N. =. Donahue.a
NJ. F. Donahue of Minneapolis,
mail carrier Of Minneapolis. high in
the counsels OF the National Asso-
citation Of Civil Service Employees,
addressed the gathering, urging that
the rural carriers join this body for
the sake OF cooperation Mr.. DON
ahue said all the government en-
ployes should join hands for the
passage of the Hammell bin, pro-
viding for the retirement OF dis
abled and superannuated govern
ment employees. without requiring
any percentage of the salaries of
the employees to be given over for
the fund reserved to meet the ex-
pense OF this retirement
Mr.. Donahue said those who had
been agitating for retirement pen
sions for government employees had
been divided into factions. One
faction favored taking part OF the
pay of the benefcfaries and the
other did not. II had been demon
strated. however. that the general
sentiment Of the employees against
taking any part of their salaries
for such fund was overwhelming.
Condition Not . Theory.
The speaker declared that the
government was now confronted
with the situation Of having on it's
hands a large number of disabled
employees, who were a detriment.
rather than benefit to the service.
These would have to be gotten rid
of IN some manner Some people
favored a limited tenure Of Office.
That was heartiess remedy.
Others believed in creating a PEN
sion fund by taxing the salaries.
There was great Opposition to that.
The Hammell bill would solve the
problem and the government em-
ployes would be able to get II pass
ed II they stood together for II and
became active, instead Of remain
ing in their present shameful state
|of lethargy.
Mr.. Donahue said the pension
retirement plan was all that would
save the efficiency OF the civil
service. England, France and Ger
many had had such systems in
vogue for nearly q century. Why
should America be behind2 -
Vote Of Thanks.
AT the conclusion of Mr.. Dona-
hue's address. the convention ex-
tended to him vote of thanks.
Thanks were also extended to the
Mankato newspapers, r. H. Nc