New-York tribune., 1919-04-28
Burleson Says
U. S. Employees
Cannot Strike
Postmaster General Insists
Government Workers Are
Not Permitted to Use
Such Tactics for Demands
NeU York Tribune
Washington Bureau

ing the attack made on him by Samue.
Gompers, Postmaster General Burleson
In statement issued here to-day de-
clares that his views on the relation
of the Federal government to labor or
ganizations have undergone no change
in consequence Of the criticism levelled
at him by labor leaders.
Mr.. Burleson characterzes as "little
short Of silly" the proposal that COL
lectlve bargaining be recognized be-
tween government employees and an
executive officer of the government
The Postmaster General further re-
lterates his position, which, he de-
clares, has been repeatedly enunciated
that strikes on the part of the govern
ment employees are not permissible
There will be no recession from his
stand IN this particuIar he declares
regardless of plank walking or any
other consequences.
Anticipating the use of the labor
issue by publishing interests in their
nght to repeal the zone system on sec
ond class matter, Mr.. Burleson de-
ciares his intention to do everything in
ms power to prevent certain selfish
publishers who have been blood
ing the postal establishment for years
to the extent of $72,0OO,OOO annually
from being restored to this privilege. "
Burleson's Statement
HIS statement reads
The value and Importance Of the
service rendered by Samuel Gompers
during the recent war was surpassed
by few men in America, He was ear
nest and lndefatigahle in all his efforts
70 further Its successful prosecution
Ready admission is made of this fact
and more, that this vas not merely a
Tavorlte pose on the part of Mr.,
Gompers, but was the impulse of genu-
inc patFlotsm, He is entitled ia our
gratefu appreciation for this service,
hut this does not mply that there
sheuld he an acceptance of his views
an ell ether sssues,
"fha Postmaster General Nnd0Nhted
Y ~ NJ variance with Mr, 9empers ON
the matter or the telation between The
government and lhose who are em-
ploNed IN its service. A the roat l.
master General sees Il, Il la little short
OF silly to talk about collective bar
gaining with an executive officer by
civil service employees under hs a,l
minissrhtion. The salary md wages
to be paid such employees. the hours
Of labor and working conditions, are
fixed by the Legislative branch, and it
is for tho executive head OF n depart
mcnt to strictly follow the law in re-
spect thereto. In tho matter of fix
ing compensation the Postmaster Cen
eral has always believed TINT sound
public opinion could safely be relied
upon to see that full justice is done
those who serve the government.
U. 8. Model Employer
1t is the duty Of an executive officer
to give the Legislative branch when
asked the benefit of his Judgment on
this subject, and the Postmaster Cen
cral has recommended, as the record
shows, that the government be a
model employer, that compensation for
those who serve it be fixed upon
generous basis; in fact, that the com
pensation Of laborers and clerks should
be fixed at from 15 to 80 per cent NOR.
than is paid for similar service in
private employment. but beyond this
it should not CO. That the legislative
branch can be relied upon to act gen
erously is shown by the postal cstab-
l:shment in which within two years
increases have been granted aggregat-
ing more than $40,OOO,OOO annually.
"The attitude of the Postmaster
General toward organization of gov
eminent employees and their affiliation
with outside organizations having the
strike as a means of redressing griev-
ances has long been known, has been
fully set forth in his annual reports
and notwithstanding the fact that the
Postmaster General has been de-
nounced by the American Federation
Of Labor in national convention his
views on this subject have undergone
no change.
Calls Strike Unthinkable
"The Postmaster General maintains
that the strike on the part of the en-
ployes of the government or those
working for the government is not
permi ssible, in fact is unthinkable
and that the utmost danger to the
government is involved in any sugges-
tion that there should be a recession
from this position, and that as far as
he is concerned there will be none, re-
gardless of plank walking or any
other consequences.
"However justitiable strike may be
as an effective means of securing the
recognition of proper demands of labor
against private concerns whose inter
ests are involved, the principles should
not apply to persons employed by the
government.
"Now in the matter of telephone and
telegraph employees, they are at pres
ent working for the government and
the Postmaster General insists that a
strike on their part is not permissible
and he will never concede that it is.
While they are working for the govern
ment the wage paid them is not fixed
as that of other government employees,
and hence different treatment or
method must be used in ascertaning
what is a just wage.
"The wire administration has at all
times endeavored to be absolutely Just
and fair TO all employees of the wire
service the owners of the propertins
and the. public Often during the
period Of control the question has
arisen, shall those in temporary con
trol Of these Wlre properties permjt
themselv to be driven beyonN the
INst .pFinoples embodied in these pol-
e'esf shall established governmeNtsl
pelleles he, abandoned OF it's nowors
surrendered 10 empleyes heeaWse Of
,lN,s, ,.NlNr,ss,NY'eNsd s'y'kssf 10, allow mis-
waNla ke 10, eeNeede the assumel
tiEht or employees aerVlNe the 90vern.
meht 70 Nse the stfika Ma maeNs &c
enforcing whatever demand ,hpv Wav
see Ut to make NJ sueh cor,rssiun
has h,ch or Will hc mndo"
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