New Britain herald., 1928-02-23
LETTER CARRIERS
 END CONVENTION
!omhcaion lt B,nqud Con. clud8 State Meeting Has


 Between 800 and 4OU mail carriers and their wives attended the 34th annual convention of the Connecti- cut Branch of the National Associa- tion of Letter Carriers at the Odd Fellows hall yesterday afternoon and last evening. eliminating in banquet and dance.
 The convention actually began its business yesterday forenoon when delegates began to arrive. More than 100 delegates registered for the let ter carriers convention while their wives met separately in another room in the same hall. The letter carriers auxiliary has no state or ganization here. but the New Britain auxiliary acted as host to the wom- en. A brief meeting was held by the women to welcome Mrs. Evelyn O'Shea, member of the executive board of the national auxiliary. at which time efforts were started to- wards forming d Connecticut auxiliary. In order to have enough representation in this state to form a state organization, there must be three more local organizations. A drive will be conducted to organize auxiliaries in Bristol. Meriden and Milford. The letter carriers were asked to lend their aid
 The afternoon was spent by the women in the Strand theater. At 6:3o o'clock they ie..led the men in the banquet hall. where nearly 200 additional guests were present
 The business session of the mems convention opened at 1880 o'clock m the meeting hall on the third floor. John F. Burns of this city. retiring state president, presided.
 Resolutions Before Convention
 The afternoon session was taken upsmostly by discussion of resolu- tions and there was some spirited debate on d number of them.
 4 resolution to exempt postal em- ployes from income and personal taxes. in the same manner as police and tiremen and militiamen are ex- empted. by legislation through the national officers was adopted.
 A resolution to ask post offices to put night collections on regular routine was adopted.
 A resolution to ask the post office department to advise carriers of their ratings following the semi annual inspection periods was adopt- ed. ,..f.... ......, ,.......... ,
 A resolution from the Hartford group asking that mail carriers he permitted to change their system of listing removals from the book to the card index plan was defeated.
 A resolution pedging the support of the organization toward a new post office in Hartford was ap- proved.
 A proposed new system of ap- pointing the state delegate to the national conveJ tion was lost
 A resolutiov said to apply par ticularly to H -rtford, regulating va cations so ass Q permit mail men to take their val ,tious dudng the mid summer was s.dopted.
 A resolution to ask the govern ment to guarantee a regular pay for substitutes who are required to re- port for work each day was adopt cd.
 A protest against the plan of the superintendent of carriers in Meri- den of switching routes was adopt ed. There was some rather heated discussion on this subject and the Meriden officials came in for strong criticism.
 Christmas 1928 Holiday
 Much applause greeted the state nlent by Rev. Harry L. Bowlby. D. D., of New York, national secre- tary of the Lords Day Alliance. who reported that Postmaster General Harry g. New had agreed that the mail men would be given all day Christmas off in 1928. and If he re- turns to the position again, he will see that they get all day Christmas of for at least four years.
 Mr. Bowlby gave a brief descrip- tion of his activities in behalf of the postal employees. especially for legislation for Sunday closing. Sat- urday half holidays. and other im- proved conditions. Now he said the Alliance is working for an increased pension fund.
 At the banquet last evening, Post master H. E. Erwin was toastmas- ter. Mayor Gardner c. Weld pro- voked laugh when he said he had ordered individual keys to the city for each guest. but that he had ab- sent mindedly ordered them by freight instead of mail and therefore they had failed to arrive on time. He praised the men who deliver mail every day, regardless of the weather. He said "The mail carriers know our troubles. they sympathize with our sorrows and rejoice in our suc- cesses." He said the letter carrier does just as much for Uncle Sam as the army or navy ever did. He said they know every man. woman and child on their routes. and even the names of the dogs. and sometimes they go in and watch the baby while the mother goes to the store, he added.
 He closed by listing the products of local factories and telling how it is they are known all over the world Burns Thanks Carriers John F. Burns. retiring state president. thanked the men and women present for their loyalty and support during his term. F. B.