The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1920-05-31
AN APPEAL FOR POSTAL
WORKERS.

In an appeal to the country un-
der the caption Are Postoffice
Employees Human Beings?" the
Literary Digest calls attention to
a situation in our postal service
which already has reduced the
standard Of the service to an
alarming degree and which will
demoralize it in the near future
il it is not remedied. AS a strik-
ing illustration Of the underlying
cause Of this situation the Digest
relates the following incident:
An American boy went to
work one day in the United
States postoffice. He was wide
awake and ambitious, and so he
chose the biggest business and
the biggest employer in the coun-
try. Step by step, he rose TO be
supervisor, and then superintende
ent of an important department.
He made a record of supreme in
dustry, faithfulness and loyalty.
Age came on, but his zeal did not
diminish Postal officials pointed
TO him with pride and said he
upheld the very highest tradi-
tions of the service, and was
ever ready to sacrifice his per-
sonal interests for the public
good. Seventy years without a
break he served his big employer
the American people, Il shining
example for all who would hear
that crowning tribute - well
done, good and faithful SER
want !" Last winter, at his post
Of duty, he was stricken with Il
chill. Pneumonia followed. Even
then he begged that he might
dress and return TO his duties.
And his big employer-the Amer
lean people-what generous pro
vision and tender care did it give
10 this oldest employe who had
always sacrificed his personal
interest for the publicg' The man
had not yet taken his annual va
cation Of fifteen days. His abb
Scnce now from his post OF duty
was charged against his vacation.
In fifteen days all his vacation
was gone and his salary stopped.
For three days, as he lay on hisI
deathbed, his pay was deducted.
Then death came, and he went to
receive the well done from One
whose words are backed with
eternal reward. But on earth,
where he had toiled so long, the
praise given him was empty MOI
allowance for sickness; no allow
ance for burial; nothing for his
family; his meager salary docked
after seventy years of faithful
service What an employer
Any man who would attempt
o run a private business by such
methods and under such condi-
ions would be deemed insane.
That he would be doomed to
allure would be recognized byl
IL. And yet that is the way the
people are attempting
0 run one of the biggest bust
ess establishments in the coun-
ry-the United States postal
ervice. 1t can't be done and the
tempt ought to be abandoned in
hort order. Sooner or later it
lust be abandoned or the mail
,rvice viii break down com
letely, says the Fort Worth
tar-Telegram.
That S the practical business
de of it. The humane side of il !
lhe side of plain justice-is :
at the American people as EN- .
oyers Of labor should not ex-
ct their faithful employees TO
crifice and cause their families "
suffer privations on such low r
laries. In the long run, under
md. it can't be done. The at
npt is failing now. But the at c,
npt should not have been made
1 certainly should not be per-
ted in. d.
fhe remedy is to let congress b
ow that the main boss the h,
lerican people-want this stu W
on changed. All kinds of peo-
, and especially business men
Q use the mails. to any great G
ent should let congress know 81