The Connecticut labor news., 1924-06-28
POSTAL WORKERS TO CONTINUE FIGHT TO
 SECURE WAGE RAISE
Veto By Co!lidge of Bill Only In creases Tension-O'SuIlivan
 Pledges Support. T,


 and throughout the country are not tc take lying down the veto of their salary increase bill by President Cool idge0but afe even now waging a fight to put it over his veto as soon as Con- gress reassemb1es in December, or earlier if a special session should be called which is unlikely as President Coolidge will hardly chance any more back fires by Congress during the campaign, especially after the way congressman and senators were slam med at the Cleveland Convention. The veto will be the order of business on the reassembling of Congress, the President, having timed his veto at the last minute of the expiring session. The same congressman who passed 1t before the veto will have to act on it again so there. is a big chance of it going over anyhow, despite the presi- dential frown upon it.
 The postal employees in Connecticut are especially keen in their intent to keep up the fight, according to James H. Smith of Ansonia, state organizer of the National Federation of Post office Clerks. While the bill was be- fore Congress, Smith worked unceas- ingly for the success of the measure He toured the state making speeches wrote to congressman and senators and did everything within his power to er- list the support of the public in gen eral. Since the veto of the pay in- crease bill, Smith has kept right on with his work, and says he will stay with 1t until success is accomplished
 The postal employees are disap- pointed at the, outcome of the salary increase bill, which was vetoed by the President on account of economy" Smith said The men in the service know the meaning of this word through actual experience, and 1t Is an all absorbing topic in all homes Of those Ill the service.
 Had the increase been granted their most hcentious indulgence would have expressed itself Ill the purchase of home or giving their offspring the benefits of higher education.
 That the fight vii continue by the National Federation of Postoh1ce Clerks and other affiliated organiza- been requested from congressman and senators throughout the country as to what they think will be the outcome of this measure. ...-.
 The following letter from Congress man P. B. O'Sullivan is characteristic of many received and shows the 4atti- tude they are taking regarding our demands:
 "'June Y, 1924. My dear MT. Smith
 "'Just why President Coolidge ve- toed the bill granting increases in sal ary to postal employees will forever re- main a mystery. For long time he has been aware of the imperative need of an upward reclassifcation of salaries and has expressed himself in hearty accord with such a policy, which seemed to him so worthy of merit. \Pertaps his disapproval was predicated on his program of econ omy. But If economy contemp1ates the withholding from government en- ployes a decent wage to permit of a respectable standard of living then he who follows such a program elinin- ates consideration of the justice of cause The happiness and comfort of men ought to have some weight in the face of program of economy. What justification can there be for a con- tinuation of the present governmental policy which compels a rural carrier to furnish his equipment, provide his own gasoline, oil and accessories, and expect him to exist on an income which may net about ten hundred dol lars? The marvel of the whole sit uation is that the entire postal service boasts of a caliber of men, perform ing excellent work in spite of the ur- of the financial oppor- tunities.
 "'Pub1ic opinion, whether expressed by letter, from the platform or in the press, was manifestly behind the de- mands of the postal employees. The House of Representatives and the Senate passed the bill almost unani- mous1y With such force at work, the veto becomes the mfstery above suggested.
 Continued on Page Eight)