The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1914-08-17

st. Paul, Aug. II. The. Tri- State
Postmasters' association opened its
annual convention with H. G. Plumley
postmaster of Fargo, and president OF
the association, presiding.
President PlumIey greeted a large
number of postmasters here from
many points in the three state of North
and South Dakota and Minnesota. The
purpose of the association is to pro-
mote the efficiency in every postofice
of the northwest represented.
st. Paul has provided a most inter
estfng series of entertainments for the
evenings after the programs of the day
are finished. The convention will last
until Saturday afternoon making a
three days session in all.
Aside from President Plumley's ad-
dress, Monday was given over to regis
tration and a discussion of the busi-
ness of the department. Tomorrow
will be devoted to first and second
class postoffices. wherein all in attend
ance may take part in the discus
sion. .,z
Among those on the reception COM
mittee from North Dakota are POST
master George e. Duis of Grand Forks,
Postmaster G. B. Metzger of Williston,
Postmaster E. III. Myhra of Wahpeton
eNAASh 1hA % 4hs 1LdC0 Vi pOSI-
mistress there. Postmaster Myhra is
chairman of the committee on resolu-
tions.
President Plumley, in opening the
convention this morning, delivered a
powerful address which outlined the
growth of the association and the
strength gained in each postoffice Of
the department in this section of the
country through it's medium.
President PIumIeys Address.
Fellow members of the Tri- State
Postmasters association" said Mr..
Plumley in his opening address to the
convention, II hardly know why your
executice committee should inhict up-
on YOU an address from the president.
The main value of these gatherings
comes from the discussions partici-
pated in by all the members on the
floor.
II am not egotisticaI enough to be-
lieve that can give you talk which
viii enlighten you in any way. do
not feel, however, that should shirk
any duty placed upon me- after the
manner in which you saw fit to honor
me by unanimously placing me at
the head of your organization one year
ago.
Perhaps it is my duty to you that
a S4Oulu Iudh6 6OIIlGWHdL OF a sTGDOCr
of my stewardship as your official
servant during the past twelve
AS / look around this hail. feelings
of regret come to me because OF the
absence of many familiar countenanc-
es. A few of these have been called
to the other shore by the grim reaper
but the reason for absence of most of
these individuals we have been wont
- ss,Sr
about because of the change in ad-
and the operation OF the
spoils system which we most heartily
condemn when it gets us and approve
when It takes off the head OF the other
fellow.
Most of this class Of absentees
were faithful offfceholders, doing their
best for the efficiency and economy of
the service instead Of being simply
for the purpose of flch,
ing their salaries from the govern
ment, and we regret their absence.
On the other hand, there are many
new faces here today, men and women
who have been named as the local
representatives of Uncle sam in their
home community by the new admin
lstrations and their presence here Is
an evidence that they intend to do ali
IN their power to keep the machinery
~ sSi1S 5ACtlIA pOStdl service acLlVely
and efficiently in operation; NE well
come them and ask for the heartiest
CO. operation between the postmasters
representing the two antagonistic adj
gathered here. "
The true postmaster Is one OF the
most nnselfish human beings In exist
ence. He is not simply after the Of
flee, or the salary or emoluments at
tached thereto, but he devates much
time and energy not only to making
the service OF his community as effi-8
cient as possible but correctly answer
ing the thousand and one Inquiries
Continued on Page Two.