Evening journal., 1917-12-05


means something 10 everybody, but it
is cause for particular alarm TO that
gray-clad army Of the Government en-
trusted with the task OF carrying the
mails. Comfortable walking shoes are
as essential a part OF his equipment as
Of the soldiers, and city streets do to
the carriers shoes in few weeks what
months on drill grounds and even bat
tie fields may not do to the lighting
mans.
Shoes. though an important item in
the postman's budget, are OF course
not the only one he must consider.
Every item in his cost Of living has
risen. as has il for all other persons.
and that is why the carriers are hoping
and urging that the forthcoming ses-
sion Of Congress will do something TO
relieve them by granting an increase
in salary. They have not had a raise in
ten years.
Letter carriers believe they discern
hopeful signs in the attitude Of Con-
gress. The long service which so un-
ntted them for work Of almost any
other sort. They intend to make
strong showing before the Committee
on Post Onlce and Post Roads, and so
far as possible before Congress itself
when a bill TO increase their salaries,
which was introduced last April by
Representative Madden, IS considered
soon.
Arguments for an advance in wages
have been summed up by officials Of
the New York Letter Carriers Asso-
citation and by similar bodies all over
the country, as follows:
The Post ONCE Department is the
only Government department which Is
on a self-supporting basis.
For the year ended June 90 1916, its
surplas was S5,823 236. For the year
ended June 80, 1917, its surplus was
s9OO0,0O0
There has not been an increase in
! the salaries Of letter carriers since
1907, a period of ten years; while every
! line Of industry has increased the
wages of its employees TO meet the
| gradual rise in prices since 1901 and
many have since the war granted ad-
| dtlonal bonuses or flxed amounts to
the regular wages TO meet the present
high cost Of living.
According TO statistics Of the De
partment Of labor. the union wage
rates in all industries show an average
increase Of 20 per cent. since 1907 and
retail prices Of food have advanced so
per cent.
Letter carriers unlforms-of which
they must purchase two each year
now cost 80 per cent. more than In
1907; and good shoes--wlth which they
( must be supplled-are almost out OF
reach. Their work is now heavier and
more exacting than formerly, inclOdine
the immensely successful parcel posi-
with its many insured and valuable
packages, which has added much tC
their burden.
The present entrance salary Is $500
Il should be $1,000. The present maxi
mum salary is $1,000; It should b'
$500. The entrance salary is $500,
attained only after a period Of sub
stitution averaging between four an
Eve years, during which time no lXe
salary is allowed.
The maximum salary Of letter car
riers is $1,000, and It takes at lea:
nine years to reach this grade. Durln
this period he viii not average mol
Y than $40 per year.
r Laborers in the Post once Depar
u ment receive a salary Of 5000, and thei
Is but little If any substitution.
Letter carriers are not paid whe
i'll, even though the illness is caused b
J exposure when on duty, or from an
, other effects Of the weather. or froi
poorly ventilated or improperly lIghte
workrooms: and when unable 10 wor
they must be supported by their az
sociates. In 1916 the New York LettC
Carriers Association paid to its men
bers nearly $4,000 for sick benefits.
Notwithstanding the failure Of tf
Government to give them more favo
% able attention, the letter carriers al
among the most loyal Of our citizens
70 5000 Of them In this city purchase
$4,000 Of the FIRST Liberty Loan on u
one-dollar a week plan, and nearly
much Of the second loan.
s ANY change in the conditions effec
z ing letter carriers must come throuf
r Congressional action. and there Is no
. bill before Congress providing for
reclassincation OF these salaries. Gil
zens who are interested can help
h writing TO their Congressman advoca
= ing the passage Of this bill.
. A recent memorial from the Nation
y Association Of Letter Carriers TO Pre-
70 dent Wilson said:
, "The National Association OF Lett
J. Carriers in convention assembled
IN ] UdlAdNf AfAu0f ENINs DTNf AtA % ANRA
a senting the city letter carriers Of t
- United States, extend TO YOU our &C
n dial greetings and tender our cooper
sr tion toward the continued success
of the postal service.
mo business can achieve any gr,
amount Of success unless conducted
the interest Of It's patrons, with a CO
Germ for the welfare Of the employ
No and to their complete satisfaction, a
: we are proud to be q component p'
OF the great army Of employees W
have met the eXacting demands Of
ds public for safer and more expedite
nd handling of the mails. II affords
nc genuine satisfaction to note the {
q proyal and appreciation Of the Am
a. lean people for this service in
pc steady and increasing revenues a
growth Of the service for a period
ten years, as outlined in the repo
= OF the First Assistant Postmaster G.
eral and the Auditor for the Post on
Department for the fiscal year end
June 80, 1916"