Evening journal., 1917-12-06
UNION POSTAL Men
MENACE URLESON
Urges Repeal of Law Al
lowing Them to Maintain
Organizations
DEPARTMENT HAS
GREAT SURPLUS

WASHINGTON, Dec. 6.-Postmaster
General Burleson In his annual report
submitted to Congress yesterday. de-
clares organizations OF postal en-
ployes are rapidly becoming menace
70 public welfare and recommends
that Congress repeal the law that al
lows such employees to maintain or
CARNATIONS. The law provides that
the employees may organize and be-
come amHated with other bodies so
long as they do not impose any obi
cation TO engage or assist in a strike
against the Government
Emphasizing the need FOR unselnsh
cooperation on all sides while the
country is in the world war, the Post
master General continues;
Notwithstanding this fact. and at
this critical period In our nations his
tory, Il is regrettable to state that the
organized postal employees are making
many selfish demands and insisting
that they shall not be required or per-
mitted to work In excess Of the usual
number Of hours: also that their sal
aries be permanently increased. al
though they are Justly compensated
receiving more than three times as
much as those lighting in the trenches
who must of necessity suffer the hard
ships Of warfare and sacrifice their all
If necessary
Efforts Of these organizations along
other lines have been severely criticized
by men in public life, as they attempt
TO control political as well as legisa-
tive matters and openly boast Of the
influence they claim TO exert In the
furtherance OF their selfish interests.
An outside organization has during
the last several years attempted TO
unionize Government employees, includ-
ing those IN the postal service and a
large number Of postal employees are
now affiliated with It and others soon
viii be-. Notwithstanding the fact that
such afflliation is believed to he con-
trary to the act Of August 81, 1912.
The advlsability OF permitting Govern
ment employees to affiliate with an out
side organization and use the strike and
boycott as a last resort to enforce its
demands is seriously questioned by
those Interested in the public warfare.
Postal employees have become bold
because Of this alnliation and have
within recent years threatened 10 strike
and IN one case actually did so by ten
dering their designations and abandon
ing the service in a body. In this case
they were promptly indicted and prose-
cuied IN the Federal courts. While
strikes IN the postal service may be
averied for the time being, yet they
viii Inevitably come, and the public
viii then be brought face TO face with
a most serious sltuation--one which
viii be a menace 90 our Government.
III by combining Government en-
ployes are enabled 10 unduly influence
members Of Congress and Others seek
ing election TO public office the stu
alton will naturally arise, if 10 has not
already arisen, where Congress viii he
unduly influenced by such, organiza-
tions, the appropriations for the sal
aries Of such employees viii be greatly
increased and economic provision for
The conduct Of the service impossible"
The report explnins that postal em-
ployes are differently situated from
other workers in that they are not em-
ployed by private concerns. but by
the Government, whose officers are
merely executing the will Of the peo-
pie"
The report Shove an audited surplus
for the year OF 80 s36.2li, the largest
In the history Of the department The
Increase over the preceding year was
3 GO per cent. while the increase IN
cost yves Ll5 per cent. The audited rev
snues for The year. including money
order and postal savings business.
amounted 10 $500. 726ii6.
Remarkable growth in postal savings
IS shown. In 1917 there We're G7i72S
deposltors with total OF Si3i. 500
20 their credit. The AVERAGE balanc,
for each deposition was si9557. This
was an increase over the previous year
Of 1921 in TIE number Of denositors.
Slo.93isii in the amount and $500 In
per capita balance. The larger p~opor-
lion Of this total Is contributed by in
dustrial centers In ii3 offices in cities
where there are big manufacturing
plants "a per cent. Of the deposits are
held
ue Wal mas resulted In some postal
routes not being covered az times. Men
u.aWn INTO Industries hv larger salaries
OFTEN have left posts that conld not be
nlled. The renort says. and recon-
mends that the derartment be given
more latitude In getting carriers when
conditions are unusual.
Mr.. Burleson again voiced onnosiiion
to the tube systems maintaining 3hev
are inefficient and cost more than The
service IS worth. lie also reiterated
his belief that the Government should
coniroi telenhone and telegram lines
with supervision intrusted TO the Post.
office Department
MAYORS ADVISORS MEET.