Denver labor bulletin., 1918-09-28
WOMAN MAY BE A
VICE-PRESIDENT OF
POSTAL EMPLOYEES
THOUSANDS ARE COMING
INTO THE SERVICE.
Four-Day Session of National Execu-
tive Board in Washington Asks Re-
lief from Excessive Overtime and
Night Work in Postofices.
Especial Correspondence.)

tSpecini toffcspohuencec
WASHINGTON, Sept. 23.-The Sc
lection of woman vice-president of
the National Federation Of Postal En-
ployes, to fill an existing vacancy, is
contemplated by the executive board
of the federation, it was learned at
the national headquarters in the A.
F. of L. building in this city at the
close of a board meeting this week.
Thousands of women have been
brought into the postal service since
the first draft law went into effect,
it is stated, and they are doing the
same kinds of work the men are do
ing. Therefore the national officers
are said to feel that the women's view
point should be represented on the
policy-making board of the employees
organization.
The existing vacancy is in the posi-
tion of third vice-president, lately held
by J. NJ. Ripley, who has gone to
France in the army postal service. Be-
tween federation elections, the execu-
tive board has power TO fill vacancies
in its membership by appointment.
Heavy End of the Work.
The board was in session four days,
and laid out comprehensive plans for
the remedy of conditions in the postal
service, beginning with a request to
Postmaster General Burleson for the
appointment of committee to inquire
into the causes for the large labor
turnover, excessive overtime and night
work. Seventy per cent of the post
Office mail distribution is done at
night, it was stated by members of
the board, and the night workers have
not only the heavy end Of the work
because IL is at night, but they are
called upon for the most overtime
The board believes that it is because
of these facts, the insanitary condi-
tions in the work rooms, and the low
pay Of the workers. that men and
women are reluctant to enter the pos
tai service.
As a further remedial measure, the
board decided to undertake a mail
rly-in-the-day' campaign. Active
propaganda will be conducted to in
duce business houses, government Of
fees and all other establishments issu-
ing large quantities of mail to deposit
such mail in the boxes as early in the
day as possible, in order to relieve the
congestion in the postoffices at night
and the consequent strain upon the
workers. A motion picture film illus
trating conditions III the postoffices is
ready for release and will be started
a. oAlOS VII iuc al over
the United States
Want Wage Raise to Stay.
In order to discourage the require
ment of night work, the board will
urge the adoption of time differen-
tial of fifteen minutes in favor of the
night workers, and will also try to
secure, in the interests of better OBJ
servance of the postal eight-hour day,
the payment of time and half rates
for overtime work, night or day
The classification law of July 2,
which provides for entrance salaries
of $1,000 for postal employees, with
automatic increases to 81 500 for the
current year, the federation will ask
Congress to make permanent In ad-
dition, it will ask 25 per cent bonus
on that scale, in view of the increased
cost of living during the war period
The members of the executive board
of the National Federation of Postal
Employees are Gilbert E. Hyatt of
Washington, d. c., president: John J.
Welsh of Memphis, Tenn, first vice
president; ]. c. MCGEE of Chicago,
second vice president; Walter G. Han
cock of San Francisco, fourth vice
president: Patrick E. Higgins of New
York, fifth vice-president; Thomas F.
Flaherty of Washington, D. c., sec
retary-treasurer.