New Britain herald., 1916-05-31

In some instances the discomfort has
 been without a basis in fact. Some of the things that led to this feeling of discomfort were the stop watch methods that were introduced Into certain branches of the service; tile 1nterJectiOn into the law of cer- tain regulations that nullified the law, ike the designation of letter carriers dS cOllectOrs, with a reduction in sal sry' the fixing of time and weight carrying conditions to the law gov- erhlng the duties and compensat ton oI rural carr1ers-all these things and others led to a discOntentment not only unfortunate but which threatened to be menace to the service and the pleasant relations that should exist be- tween the executive officers of every government department and the en- ployes.
 "The administration was severely criticised, publicly and privately for things for which the administration was not responsible, at least so far as the initiative was concerned. The men at the head of the post office department were new men, called into service with the incoming of @ new administration. They were not then In touch with post office ways and post off1ce means. They were natu rally anxious to make a record for economy and efficiency and took the advice of their assistants, who had been as a rule long in the service, knew the laws and how far they could be stretched if an experience ot nearly twenty years of uninterrupt- ed service taught anything, and the tI,~ the laws by these experienced ad- Vlsers, that led to the trouble. These advlsers were better party men, re- tanned under the civil service than they were post office officials and they appeared to take keen pleasure in getting the department in wrong.
 But admitting that the acts con- plalned of were solely of the doing of those in executive charge will any fa1r-minded man maintain that be- cause all of the laws that have been passed during the last four years that imm easurably improved the condition or the postal employees, have not been interpreted to their complete satisfac- ton, there is basis for revolt and in- gratitude?
 During the period referred to more legislation of great and lasting bene- Tt to postal employees has been en- acted than for nearly twenty years. when post office employees stop long enough to recall that legislation, when they reflect upon what has been done for them they will not prove ingrates, they VIII not forget their friends. They will not say to the world that we do not appreciate what has been done, because everything has not been to our liking"
 Q "The man with the 'ex' affixed to his name can never do you much good, but I pray God that as long as live, I will never be referred to as ex-friend," he said.
 MT. Reilly then recited Your Flag and My Flag in the manner of which he alone is capable.
 "Gus".
 Postmaster Delaney in introducing the next speaker, said that many good things could be said about him him but if he started the gathering might be tempted to add, ''Yes he was good to you"
 EX-COngressman Lonergan was well received on presentation.
 Lonergan's Address.
 Ex-Congressman Lonergan Spoke as follows:
 MT. President and members of the Connecticut State Branch of Post Off, flee Clerks:
 This kind message of your com mittee, inviting me to be with you to- day and take part in this feature of the exercises of your eighteenth an- oio11 flying to me. I thank you for the opportunity and the invitation. For I am particularly pleased to meet face to face this body of genuine in the most efficient organ ization in the United States, the post office department. For despite what an occasional misinformed and mis- guided critic may say, the department of which you are a part represents a maximum of efficiency and sets the standard for all our great industrial and commercial organizations.
 AS I face this large gathering of m bers of the Connecticut State Branch of Post Office Clerks I am full ly aware that I am addressing as ener- getic and active forces as can be l found in the entire postal organiza- ton. Although many of you are in | contact with the public, your | duties do not ordinarily take you out | into the marts and channels of busi- 1 ness. In a measure, your relationship to your post office is as the functions | of the inner mechanism of a delicate l ly adjusted tim mepiece-you are the i works of the watch-and upon .Jour l your reliability, your accu- | racy, depend in a large measure the 1 operation of the great ma chine of which you are a part. AL 1 though yours is in a sense an inside l your opportunities for 1 are peculiarly large The 1 alert postal clerk is not unlike the |