The potters herald. [volume] (East Liverpool, Ohio) 1899-1982, 1941-09-04
Letter Curriers'
President Retires
Edwdrd ]. Gainor. Beloved
Labor Leader. Steps
Down At II

Washington, d. Gone of the ma
tion's best known and most scholarly
labor leaders-President Edward J.
Gainor of the National Association of
Letter Carriers-announced that he is
relinquishing his office after % years
at the helm.
"I'm passing the reins to younger
hands," said Gainor, who reached his
seventy-frst birthday on August /.
His retirement became effective at
the unions national convention in
Los Angeles Sept. l. Secretary M. T..
Finnan retired at the same time, after
serving Al years as an officer, II OF
that in his present position.
A picturesque character in the labor
movement, Gainor is known for his
| hearty manner, a keen sense Of
humor and remarkable memory for
epigrams and verse from classic writ
ers and poets.
| Puddler in steel mill in his youth,
| Gainor became letter carrier in the
'90s and joined the union in 1897. He
rose to membership on the national
executive board in 1901, then to vice
president and finally to president in
1913. Since 1884 he has also been a
member of the A. F. of l.. Executive
Council
"Unionism has brought a lot of
changes in the carrier service in my
time," Gainor recalled. "When
started, carriers were paid from $500
to $1,000 a year, and worked about
Ia hours a day. Now they get $1,000
and have the eight-hour day and 40,
hour week. Their retirement pension
is $1OO a month"
| Membership Of the union is now al
an all-time high of O,0OO-9,0OO more
than the number of regular carriers
on Uncle Sans payroll. The excess
includes retired and substitute car
riers, Gainor explained.
In his final report as president, tt
be submitted to the September con
vention, Mr.. Gainor paid high tribute
to the American Federation of Labor
He said:
"The American Federation Of La
Dor, now established more than 5!
years, has achieved greatly in it's tire
less battle for the cause of labor ant
for social and economic progress. L
has served the workers Of America
well. It's accomplishments defy esti
mate. Maintaining its poise betweel
extremes, it has met each new prob
lem with courage and common sens'
and thus has grown steadily in pres
tige, usefulness and members. Build
ing on a foundation of sound princi
, Piles and progressively adapting IT.
processes to best answer labor
needs, it has also won the confidenc
of the working men and women asso
ciated with it.
"The National Association of Let
ter Carriers became affiliated witt
the American Federation of Labor j
1917-now "a years ago. The wisdom
and timeliness of this affiliation hav
been repeatedly demonstrated b.
various developments during the year
since intervening. Each succeeding
; national convention of our Assocla
l ton held since 1917 has renewed it
original pledge Of cooperation and re
l affirmed it's faith in the America
Federation of Labor"
!, Mr.. Gainor's report concludes wit
a characteristic farewell. He says:
:. "This convention will conclude m
tenure of office as president of tn
National Association of Letter Cal
u riers. In sentimental retrospection,
i look back on my first national conven
: ton in Chattanooga, Tenn, just 4
u years ago, and with vivid recollet
tions my thoughts take me throug
the intervening years up to this goo
T hour. | think of the wonders wrough
? by our order in bridging distance an
difficulty, and welding into a commo
: : brotherhood our great army of fello'
craftsmen. | think Of the wealth G
friends our movement has brougf
=, and of the treasured occasions, nea
and far, sharing their companionshil
| think of the impressive accomplish
:, ments of our great Associations; az
= complishments which | know hav
;, greatly served public and postal we
; fare, as well as progressively rails
ing the employment status Of ou
!, brother letter carriers to an eve
u higher level of dignity and securit!
q Life is made up Of meetings and c
= partings," said the immortal bare
and again parting is such sweet sol
! row." TO serve you has been priv
y ilege and a pleasure. In that splrl
| return to you my trust and salur
you gratefully. To my successor
. tender my best wishes. Great is tn
= National Association of Letter Cal
y y riers. May its glory never DIM"