New-York tribune., 1920-03-02
PostoMce Justice
Wages for Carriers Us. One
Cent Postage

To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: Postoffice employees are won-
dering just now if the teri. "etfi-
cheney" as defined in Webster or any
other dictionary, is in any way synony-
nous with the same word when used
in the postoffice. They wonder also if
the general public really understands
what good service" to them through
postotfice channels means. If eff
cheney and good service mean the same
in the postotfice as they do in any
other business, then the postal en-
ployees wonder how long will the
public allow its representatives in
Congress to treat postal employees in
such 3 manner as would not be toler-
ated By any business concern in the
country, and which is tending gradual
ly to denoralize the service
Prior to July l, 1918, letter carriers
snd postoffice clerks were receiving
maximum salary after ten or more
years service Of only $1,000. At that
porary increase of $2O0 per annum and
has since allowed additional tenn
porary increases of $3.50, making the
maximum now, after ten years service,
$3.50. These temporary increases.
which total 371a per cent over the
prc-war salaries, were accompanied by
the appointment of a postal wage
commission, which Was to look into
the whole matter of salaries paid in
the postoffice and report to the pres
ent Congress.
Hundreds Of employees h se left the
postal service during the past three
years to seek employment il the more
gainful occupations outside. Hundreds
of others have held on unit now, only
for the reason that they ought the
postal wage commission w, aid in its
report recommend salari which
would warrant their remainil e .onger;
but at this date the outlotk is very
doubtful. After year t is report
IS not yet in sight, and the temporary
increases still continue, thu leaving
the employees not only oissatisted
because their salaries have not been
raised to point a little nearer the
cost of living, but also, in view Of re-
cent occurrences, feeling that they are
being unfairly taken advantage OF.
The Postoffice Committee OF the
hoe
postofiice appropriation bill for the
year beginning July 1, 1920, and TINS
committee, while making the statement
that the matter of increase in salaries
must wait upon the report OF the
wage commission, nevertheless mas
added an amendment to the bill reduc'
ing first class postage in cities to one
cent. If passed this measure would
reduce postal revenues at least s1o'
600, 900, and will, of course, add to the
volume Of mail to be handled by tine
employees. Instead Of an increaSe IN
salary, they will get more work.
Letter carriers and postoffice CLERKS
had been consistently loyal to the gov
ernment, not only during the wsf.
when their duties were augmented
fourfold. but at all times before ana
since. This in the face of a grossly
inadequate wage. They cannot seek
for Improvement in their condition py
using the strike. Nor do they desire
to do SO. They still have faith in tue
American people and believe the publ'o
generally will support their just claims
Every fair-minded citizen should, there
fore, write at once to his Congressmas
and Senator, asking that in order :"
preserve the postal service from en-
tire generalization ar.6 to deal jussV
with the employees postal wages "
properly readjusted before any -edae'
tion in postage takes place.
PATRICK J. M'NABB.
Vice-president, National Associates
Of Letter Carriers.