་ "In closing, permit me to again express the thanks of the Ohio letter carriers for the opportunity of presenting our criticisms for your consideration, also to express the hope that the conference-conventions will continue and fully reach the ideals and expectations of both the Department and the employees." Much applause was registered when Brother Fickel completed and he was followed by the other group spokesmen. Many questions were asked, a majority of which will be answered in The Postal Bulletin. General Bartlett, the last speaker, was then introduced and was accorded a rising welcome. Right off the bat he stated that he was of the opinion that superintendents did not understand the use of the efficiency system, that it was only a skeleton for guidance and in putting it into effect he should use judgment and reason. That in carrying out the system he should take into consideration the physical condition of the men, the varying amount of mail and the variability of the weather. In fine, superintendents should use common sense. Seniority should always prevail among employees and in case of promotion it should control where other things are equal. It is only justice to those who have spent long years in the service and should be maintained. Relative to the Saturday half-holiday, he stated that the Department had gone as far as they could without congressional action but that every organization believing in God endorses the Saturday half-holiday and that postmasters were clothed with all the authority necessary to put it into effect. General Bartlett stated that he believed that every carrier needed should be appointed now, but that the Department was already several thousand dollars short for the first quarter and it could not be done. He expressed his appreciation for the cooperation and hearty good fellowship of the employees and laid much stress upon the principle of justice and made it plain that he stood for justice at all times. In closing General Bartlett stated that this was the largest conference-convention which he had the pleasure to attend and expressed the desire that should any postmaster not understand the idea of permitting the employees to attend these meetings they should write him. Thus closed the greatest meeting of postal workers in the State of Ohio. All departed with the conviction that it would be productive of much good and the sincere hope that these meetings would be tinued. Middletown, Ohio. con EARL R. PRICE, State Secretary. California In goodly numbers the postal employees of the State of California journeyed to San Francisco, Calif., on June 27, 1923, to attend the California State conference-convention. Bro. Dan Sullivan, of San Francisco, also a national officer, member of the Committee on Constitution and Laws, addressed those assembled and went thoroughly into the status of retirement as it is affected by the Fairfield and Lehlbach Bills to come before the next Congress. Attentively did our brothers listen to Brother Sullivan, and evinced an interest by asking questions, all of which Brother Sullivan ably answered. The balance of the evening was given over to the enjoyment of the program prepared and the "eats" and "soft liquids" provided. At 2 o'clock p. m., June 27, Postmaster James E. Power, of San Francisco, opened the conference-convention. U. S. Senator Samuel M. Shortridge and Edward Rainey, representing the Hon. Jas. Rolph, Jr., mayor of San Francisco, delivered addresses of welcome. Hon. W. Irving Glover, Third Assistant Postmaster General, delivered an interesting address receiving plaudits at the conclusion. He was followed by the Hon. John H. Bartlett, First Assistant Postmaster General, who held the attention of his hearers while he told of the improvement in conditions contemplated by the Department for the benefit of the employees. In no uncertain manner he stated he was an advocate of and heartily in favor of the Saturday half-holiday. At the open forum no questions were All papers and questions submitted were San Francisco, Calif. Washington Promptly at 2 p. m. on Friday, July 6. After the invocation by Bro. R. W. Ives, Chamber of Commerce. With us were representatives from as far south as Los Angeles and the extreme north was represented by the delegate from the home of the "Redwood," Eureka. Branch 214 acted as host to our brothers while they sojourned in our city and endeavored in our hospitable way to make their short stay a pleasant one. The evening of June 26 was decided upon for the group meeting of the carriers and with our local members and the delegates from other Branches, some 200 were in attendance. The boys got busy at once and a representative from each Branch in attendance was called upon. Questions presented by delegates were taken up for general discussion, approved and placed in shape for submission to the conference. Bro. Wm. Neuman, of Los Angeles, president of the California State Association, N. A. L. C., was selected to present to the conference the suggestions and questions from the carrier group. Prior to the adjournment of the business meeting to enjoy the entertainment and "eats," etc., prepared by the good of the order committee of Branch 214, Bro. Ben Davis, of Los Angeles, member of the National Executive Board, took the opportunity to impart to us the work being carried on by the national officers in Washington, and all were attentive listeners to all he had to say. Postmaster Perkins acting as toastmaster. Brother Daly and Mrs. Daly, as accompanist, gave musical selections, and former Carrier C. L. Wiles, now employed in the finance division of the local office, sang a tenor solo to the great delight of all. Speeches were naturally in lighter vein, Bro. A. D. Gaffney, State president of the N. A. L. C., speaking for the carriers. Bro. Ben E. Davis, of the National Executive Board, was called on to represent the National Association. The other associations through their chosen representatives also made short addresses. The State Association, as provided for in our National Constitution, has for its object mutual benefit, social intercourse and to assist the National Association of Letter Carriers in maintaining a more perfect organization. This is done largely through the work of State conventions which, in a measure by their resolutions, review the work of the national officers, keep them advised as to the trend of thought of the membership in general, as well as bringing to their attention new conditions as they arise between national conventions. The officers of the Pennsylvania State Association realizing that there was a still greater field in which the State Association might be of benefit to the membership at large, have endeavored to assist them to secure the proper enforcement and interpretations of the many laws enacted and Departmental orders issued for the benefit of the letter carriers. These laws and Departmental orders have been secured by the organized effort of the National Association and it is the intention that all carriers should be enjoying the full benefit of them. Accordingly a questionnaire was sent out asking information as to how these various laws, etc., were being administered. Of 110 replies received the following conditions were revealed: Eleven offices work every Sunday, of which ten receive compensatory time and one office no time or pay is allowed. Thirteen offices do not work on any holiday. Fifty-two offices do not work on any holiday but Christmas. Forty-one offices work part time on every holiday. Seventy-seven offices receive compensatory time for holiday work. Seven offices receive overtime for holiday work. Eight offices receive no pay or time for holiday work. Thirty-four offices have Saturday halfholidays. Seventy-seven offices had no time off on Saturdays. In addition to the above many minor infractions of postal rules and regulations were discovered. At the carriers' Third Assistant Postmaster General W. At the banquet in the evening at the The officers of the Pennsylvania State have through correspondence been successful in correcting many of these abuses and are prepared to keep on with the work. There are, however, many offices throughout the State that are not identified with the State Association and therefore not cooperating to the fullest extent, and, as it is the intention to endeavor to secure for all the membership of the N. A. L. C. the best that can be had, we ask in all fairness that those offices that are not identified with the State Association will kindly send their applications in at once, as we are confident that it is not the small per capita of 10 cents per year that prevents them from taking a full part in the great work of the State Association. We The national convention meets in Provi- CHRIS J. HALBERSTADT, In Memoriam Resolutions under this head 10 cents per line W. E. Gray, Mansfield, Ohio Whereas Almighty God in His infinite wisdom has visited for the first time, Branch 118, N. A. L. C., and has called from our midst, W. E. Gray, a loyal brother, an efficient worker, and an honored friend, and from his family a kind and loving husband and father, therefore be it Resolved, That we, the members of Branch 118, N. A. L. C., extend to the beloved widow and family our heartfelt sympathy in their hour of sorrow, and be it further Resolved, That a copy of these resolutions be sent to the family, a copy to be spread on the minutes of the Branch, and a copy be sent to the Postal Record for publication. H. B. KLINE. Max Clauder, Kansas City, Mo. Whereas it has been the will of the Divine Power to call to his last reward our brother and former co-worker, Max Clauder; and Whereas we feel that in his death our Branch has lost a good and true member, and his family a kind and loving husband and father; therefore be it Resolved, That we, the members of Branch 30, N. A. L. C., extend to the bereaved family our deepest sympathy in their time of sorrow; and be it further Resolved, That a copy of these resolutions be spread upon the minutes of the meeting, a copy sent to the family and a copy sent to the Postal Record for publication. C. M. WILLIS, J. H. TULLIS, S. A. MAGGIO, Committee. S. M. Gaskill, Kansas City, Mo. Whereas it has been the will of the Divine Power to call to his last reward our brother and former co-worker, S. M. Gaskill, and Whereas we feel that in his death our Branch has lost a good and true member; therefore be it Resolved, That we, the members of Branch No. 30, N. A. L. C., extend to the bereaved family our deepest sympathy in their time of sorrow; and be it further Resolved, That a copy of these resolutions be spread upon the minutes of the meeting, a copy sent to the family and a copy sent to the Postal Record for publication. C. M. WILLIS, J. H. TULLIS, S. A. MAGGIO, Committee. James H. Graham, John Frank and Gustave Duerrschmitt, Brooklyn, N. Y. Whereas Almighty God in His infinite wisdom and mercy has called to His Heavenly Home our esteemed, and beloved brothers, James H. Graham, John Frank and Gustave Duerrschmitt, all of whom by their faithful service in the postoffice had attained a splendid record, and Whereas by their death S. S. Cox, Branch 41, N. A. L. C., has been deprived of the companionship of three of its most loyal members, loved and respected by all, and Whereas by their deaths the families of each of these faithful servants of God have suffered an irreparable loss, therefore be it Resolved, That we, the members of S. S. Cox, Branch No. 41, N. A. L. C., in regular meeting assembled, do hereby extend to the families of the deceased brothers our heartfelt sympathy in their time of sorrow; and be it further Resolved, That a copy of these resolutions be sent to the families of our deceased brothers, a copy spread upon the minutes of the Branch and a copy be sent to the Postal Record for publication. WILLIAM J. GORMAN, Proposed Amendments to the Constitution Fall River, Mass. Section 6, of Article V of the Constitution of the N. A. L. C., of U. S. of America, is hereby amended by inserting after the word "belong" in the eighth line the words "Which proxy may be voted on all questions except the election of officers:" so as to read as follows: Section 6. Any subordinate Branch not electing one of its own members as a delegate may give its proxy to the delegate of any subordinate Branch within the State, its State Vice President, or the Delegate-at-Large from the State or District Association to which such subordinate Branch belongs, which proxy may be voted on all questions except the election of officers, said proxy delegate, State Vice President or Delegate-at-Large to be chosen at the same time and in the same manner as provided for the election of regular officers. Submitted by Branch 51. JOHN E. SULLIVAN, Louisville, Ky. Secretary. Whereas the National Association of Letter Carriers has so well filled its purpose in protecting our interests and promoting our welfare, achieving for itself such popularity that the duties involved upon it, to be performed by our National Officers, cannot be met with the present finances and retain its high standard of usefulness; therefore be it Resolved, That in order for our Association to retain the high standard it has reached and that it may be able to better serve us, we recommend to the Providence Convention that the annual per capita tax be placed at $2.50. Toledo, Ohio Whereas there is no provision in our National Constitution calling for a Committee on Resolutions, and Whereas there is a provision in Article 10, under duties of the President, which calls for a Committee on Substitutes, and Whereas the above named committees have functioned at past conventions, with more or less delay and confliction, owing to the interwoven duties of the respective committees, and Whereas we believe that better results can be obtained by the consolidation of these committees, and at the same time give fair and equal representation to all; therefore be it Resolved, That Article 10, Section 1, page 2, beginning on line 21. following the words "Sergeant-at-Arms" and continuing to the end of line 26, be eliminated, and the following provision be inserted in lieu thereof: "He shall further appoint a Committee on Resolutions to consist of three delegates, one of whom shall be substitute carrier, if possible." Approved by Branch 100, in regular meeting assembled, Saturday evening, July 7, 1923. Presented by E. G. CHAPMAN, E. D. LONGWELL, J. W. MEYER. Duplicated Names of Postoffices There is only one New York. There is only one San Francisco and only one New Orleans. But a this point postal employees trying to count their blessings in the welter of 52,000 names of postoffices in United States, come to a sharp halt. With hard-worked brains they labor to separate 25 Clevelands in 25 States, 28 Washingtons, 22 Buffalos, 14 Denvers, 7 Detroits, 6 Philadelphias and 2 Chicagos. are The Yankee reputation for originality rises. staggering when confronted by the town assembled facts of duplication of names in United States. Duplicated names one of the chief irritations of lifein the Postal Service and it is.bitter irony that the name which is the greatest favorite with town builders is Franklin, im memory of the first Postmaster General,. Benjamin Franklin, who is recognized as the father of the American postal service in addition to his other accomplishments. There are no less than 31 Franklins in 31 respective States. Forty-three names are used more than 20 times each to designate hamlets, towns and cities which are large enough to have postoffices. They are: Franklin 31, Clinton 30, Chester 29, Arlington 29, Washington 28, Troy 27, Salem 27, Madison 27, Marion 27, Manchester 27, Clayton 27, Glenwood 26, Kingston 26, Newport 26, Ashland 25, Centerville 25, Cleveland 25, Auburn 24, Dover 24, Hillsboro 24, Lincoln 24, Monroe 24, Oxford 24, Princeton 24, Springfield 24, Warren 24, Union 24, Greenville 23, Wilson 23, Belmont 22, Canton 22, Dayton 22, Eureka 22, Liberty 22, Milford 22, Plymouth 22, Burlington 21, Lebanon 21, Portland 20, Lexington 20, Jamestown 20, Hudson 20, Danville 20. Uncle Sam is a jealous godfather of infant cities. It is not generally known that he has considerable to do with the selection of their names, but it is a fact that he does. Not that Uncle Sam actually names the infants but he decides whether the parents' choice is satisfactory. The godfather's rules are simple; there must not be two towns of the same name within a State. a There is a case on record, however, where the United States Government did suggest the name for a town. In Missouri some years ago a newly organized community applied for a postoffice sending in the name which had been chosen for the community. The Post Office Department informed them that the name had already been used in. another part of the State. Later another list of preferences was submitted but not one of them was satisfactory. There was considerable correspondence on the question and an official of the Post Office Department finally wrote to the city fathers and among other things said it was "mighty peculiar they could not find good name." "Acting on your suggestion," they replied, "we select the name Peculiar," and so Peculiar, Mo., is on the map today. Duplicated names are often not more troublesome than names bearing a close similarity. Hazards of loose penmanship send the letter destined for Eldoro, Ia., to Eldorado, Ia. In Pennsylvania alone there are 13 communities whose names bear the prefix Green; Greenbriar, Greenburr, Greencastle, Greene, Green Land, Greenock, Greenpark, Greenboro, Greensburg, Greenstone, Greenstown, Greenville, Greenwald. Slurring the sylvan beauty of the Keystone State may send a letter northeast when it is due in the southwest. Similarly there are five New York towns bearing the prefix bloom: Bloomsburg, Bloomingdale, Blooming Grove, Bloomington, Bloomville. Names of presidents are a source of inspiration to city fathers and of difficulty to postal clerks. In many cases, of course, the towns bore the names before the president came to the chair. George Washington was not only father of our country but also inspiration for the names of 28 towns and cities. There are 27 Madisons, 25 Clevelands, 24 Lincolns, 24 Monroes, 23 Wilsons. 13 Roosevelts, 15 Adamses, 12 Tafts and 5 Hardings. Capitals of nations of the world have been another source of duplication. There are in the United States 18 towns bearing the name of Paris, 18 Genevas, 17 Berlins, 12 Moscows, 11 Viennas, 6 Pekins, and 2 Brussels. Not only may the capitals of the world be seen in America first but also the world's measure of perfection in the concrete form of 2 Utopias, 22 Eurekas. 18 Arcadias, 15 Hopes and 14 Eldorados. AUGUST ASSESSMENT No. 353 Assessment No. 353 is due from all members in good standing on the first day of August, 1923, and must be paid before the twentieth day of August, 1923. A member failing to pay this assessment on or before the twentieth day of August, 1923, ipso facto disconnects himself from this Association and renders void his benefit certificate during the period of disconnection. See Law 8, Section 9, also Law 9. The advance assessment paid by members admitted during the month of August is placed to their credit on Assessment No. 353. See Law 8, Section 1. Board of Trustees: $3,098 16 704 80 $3,802 96 Amount $10 25 10 00 41 67 250 00 150 00 100 00 10 00 72.00 1923. Balance May 31, 1923. Received since: 67 07 $710 99 -$3,091 97 Note: Warrant No. 5291 used for Transfer of Funds: Warrants Nos. 5293, 5294 used for Purchase of Bonds. War. Death Date No. No June Assessed $26 20 13 03 $39 23 5165 20,257 93 36 73 100 61 Summer Uniforms for Carriers Office of the Postmaster General. Washington, D. C., July 23, 1923. To Postmasters: Inquiry with reference to the uniforms which carriers are required to wear during the heated season leads me, for your information, to draw your attention to the Postal Laws and Regulations, section 693, paragraph 2, which reads as follows: "During the heated term postmasters may permit letter carriers to wear a neat shirtwaist or loose-fitting blouse, instead of coat and vest, the same to be made of light-gray chambray, gingham, light-gray cheviot, or other light-gray washable material, to be worn with turn-down collar, dark tie, and neat belt, all to be uniform at each office." If for any good reason a carrier has not provided himself with the foregoing summer National Committee on Substitutes A referendum vote of the entire N. A. L. C. membership taken as of May 1, 1923, directed the National President to appoint a national committee on substitutes composed of three members whose duties would be to investigate, report and recommend on matters affecting substitute employment to the Providence convention. In compliance with these instructions, President Gainor announces the appointment of a national committee on substitutes composed of the following substitute letter carrier members of the N. A. L. C.: Roy A. Watkins, chairman, Branch 30, Kansas City, Mo. James P. Tallant, Branch 157, Philadelphia, Pa. Joseph M. Spreiregen, Branch 36, New York, N. Y. All resolutions and recommendations submitted will be referred to this committee for their consideration and report to the Providence convention. "The first thousand dollars is the hardest," The preceding applies to individuals. "The first million will bring other millions" to the M. B. A. treasury. Better join today. Letter Carriers' National Sick Benefit Association SICK AND ACCIDENT INSURANCE THIS ASSOCIATION PAYS AN INDEMNITY OF TEN ($10.00) DOLLARS A WEEK for loss of time resulting from disability caused by acciIdent or disease FOR A PERIOD OF TWENTY-SIX WEEKS in any year, the said indemnities to be drawn at once or at different times during the year, AT A COST OF 55 CENTS A MONTH The monthly premium is fifty cents and the monthly per capita five cents. Benefits begin on the eighth day of disability in every case and are paid for each whole day of disability thereafter. Benefits are paid for fractional parts of a week, after the first week of disability, in all cases. Benefits are paid by check through the local clerks, who act as the agents of this Association in each branch. Certificates are in force and benefits are payable on them thirty days after the date of their issue. Members who leave the letter carrier service may retain their membership in this Association. QUALIFICATIONS FOR MEMBERSHIP All letter carriers who are in good health and under 46 years of age, who are members in good standing in a branch of the National Association of Letter Carriers are eligible to membership. HOW TO BECOME A MEMBER Apply to the local clerk for an application blank. Fill out the same and return it, with the necessary application fees, to him. If the branch is without a clerk apply direct to the chief clerk of the National Sick Benefit Association, John T. Mugavin, Cincinnati, Ohio. In that case, if your application is approved, you not only become the first member of this Association in your branch, but its local clerk as well, and will be entitled to hold that office until your successor is elected or appointed. But whoever holds the office must be a member of the National Sick Benefit Association. NOTICE TO CLERKS All remittances, on account of monthly dues, must be forwarded by you in time to be received at the Chief Clerk's office not later than the 30th of each month. Monthly reports of the number and standing of the membership in each Branch, on the blanks furnished by the Association, must be forwarded with the remittance. All other remittances and reports should be promptly forwarded and especial care taken in the matter of members' claims for benefits, to see that the applications for same are properly filled out and are made as soon as the benefits are due. Prompt applications for benefits will insure their speedy payment, if correct, and in view of this assurance it would seem to be the duty of every clerk to get these claims in on time. Application for Membership," "Application for Sick Benefit" and 'Monthly Report" blanks, also 'Members' Receipt Books" will be furnished on application to the Chief Clerk. The National Sick Benefit Association Almost simultaneously with this issue of the Postal Record the delegates to the Twenty-fourth Convention of the N. A. L. C. will gather in Providence, so let us submit for the consideration of all of us a foreword as to the N. S. B. A. First let us record that during the two years just past we registered another increase in membership, so that we now have in excess of 19,000 members in good standing July 1, 1923. During the two years we paid 6,899 claims for benefits, which is 2,023 more claims than we paid for the preceding two years. We paid in benefits $272,282.06. We received in premiums $223,793.00. The increase in benefit payments over the past two years amounted to $96.20 per day for each day of the two years. Our surplus in the Disability Fund is almost $56,000.00. So that despite a remarkable increase in both the number of claims paid and in the amount of the claims, the N. S. B. A. has met them all promptly and is still going big, and stands as an inspiration to lovers of organization and as a sturdy example of what can be done by concerted action properly directed, and we extend again an invitation to those letter carriers who are not yet protected to protect yourself in your own organization and get the most for your money. Bonus Offer Local clerks remitting for new members during September will send only fifty-five cents with each application. Retain the application fee of one dollar. Death of President Harding 7 Our beloved President, Warren G. Harding, is dead. This is the startling information that comes over the wires from San Francisco as we go to press. The overwhelming character of the blow is such that we are at a loss to express the anguish we feel. The reassuring bulletins issued from the bedside of our stricken President gave hope that all was well, but the abrupt termination of his illness leaves us shocked and saddened beyond expression. President Harding was an able statesman, a staunch friend, a kindly, and genial man and a safe leader. To know him was to love him. In this hour of profound grief of his country we can do little other than voice our great sorrow and testify to the affectionate regard in which we held our fallen chief. In the devotion to his country, which symbolized President Harding's entire life, may we find renewed inspiration to rededicate our own service to its welfare and the perpetuity of its institutions. It has succeeded in a manner that has exceeded the fondest expectations of its promoters and has served the members of the N. A. L. C. in such a beneficial and material manner that its benefit payments have exceeded a million dollars. It has from the very beginning added to its benefits and extended its functions until today it is a leader in this line of work, and up to this date there has never been the need for an increase in premiums or the levying of an assessment of any character other than the regular monthly payment. With a membership in excess of 19,000, scattered among a few less than a thousand Branches of the N. A. L. C., with a surplus of nearly $56,000, it is functioning promptly and properly, so that again we affirm, "there is nothing the matter with the N. S. B. A." Of course the inquiry was prompted by the fact that during the past year or two, there has been such a decided increase in the number of cases of sickness that there was also a decided increase in the benefit payments each month with a corresponding decrease in the surplus fund. The fact of the matter is that in the past two years there has been an increase of forty per cent in the number of disabilities and the total benefit payments to members have exceeded the total receipts by $39,000 in round figures. Just why this tremendous increase in sickness we will not here attempt to explain. Suffice to say, it is a fact. The matter will receive the careful attention of the delegates to the Providence convention, where the officers of the N. S. B. A. will make a full and complete report that will enable them to act in the manner most calculated to serve the best interests of the N. A. L. C. If there is anything at all the matter with the N. S. B. A. it is that the N. S. B. A. has been too liberal. Its policy has been to give its members the maximum of benefits at the minimum of cost and in keeping with this policy when the "Tenday sick leave law" was enacted it did not change its policy but continued the payment of benefits without regard to the fact that the member was also in receipt of his regular salary. This was a decided departure from the original policy of the Association which recognized as a fundamental principle the fact that unless there was a loss of salary, there was no need for the allowance of benefits. This is as true today as it was then and is just as much a fundamental as it ever was and in our judgment a return to this principle is absolutely essential to the well-being of the N. S. B. A. JOHN T. MUGAVIN, Chief Clerk, N. S. B. A. Concerning Brief on Efficiency Rating System On many occasions in preceding issues of the Postal Record the subject of efficiency rating systems with particular reference to their attempted rigid application to the work of the letter carrier has been accorded extended consideration. The fundamental defects of this plan of supervision have been repeatedly pointed out. Likewise, the St. Louis Convention strongly urged that Departmental approval of any efficiency rating system be withheld until the carriers' side of the case was heard.. Under date of November 9, 1922, what was evidently intended as a hard and fast efficiency rating system issued from the office of the First Assistant Postmaster General. The introduction of this system. resulted in such general discontent that a nation wide survey of this efficiency system was ordered by the Council of Administration and instituted by Secretary Cantwell. The findings of this survey have been compiled in the form of a brief, and as such were approved by the Council of Administration and quite recently submitted to Postmaster General New and First Assistant Postmaster General Bartlett for their consideration. This brief on efficiency and efficiency rating systems with particular reference to the Department order of November 9, 1922, is printed elsewhere in this issue. By all means, this brief should be attentively read by every member of the N. A. L. C. and in fact by every postal official desiring to promote equitable working conditions. It is an exceptional document and marks the first comprehensive attempt to analyze this whole question from the carriers' point of view. The statement of facts contained therein are marshalled in an orderly and convincing manner and its presentation is certain to result in good. Fundamentally, there is no substitute for individual initiative in developing either character or competency and this Association renders a worthy public service in emphasizing that fact. Letter Carriers' Salaries Should Be Increased The resolutions being adopted country wide wherever members of the N. A. L. C. gather in meeting, strongly urging an increase in letter carriers' salaries indicates something of the keen interest manifested in this proposition. Moreover, this very unanimity of sentiment is the best guarantee of success because it forecasts an united and enthusiastic response later on. Even more, it shows that the case is founded on merit and that all reasons germane to the determination of a wage rate should now operate greatly in the letter carriers' favor. Among these reasons, are the exacting and responsible requirements of the position, the need of maintaining a salary scale sufficiently attractive to retain and recruit competent workers, the general trend of wages, the general trend of prices, the rate of wages prevailing in private industry and many other related reasons. An impartial review of these several items will readily show that the case of the letter carrier is well founded. The trend of wages is upward. Since 1914 the union wage scale has increased approximately 100 per cent. During the current year wage increases have been the general rule in private industry, notably in the building, printing and textile trades and practically all public service industries. A substantial increase in sea pay was recently granted by the Shipping Board, the various Navy Yard workers succeeded in having their case reopened recently and their wages revised upwards and consideration is now being given to a general wage increase of all railroad employees. Negotiations concerning a wage increase for coal miners in the anthracite field are now pending with a similar wage adjustment in the bituminous field set for a later date. The substitution of the 8 for the 12 hour day in the steel industry is tantamount to a substantial advance in wages. In fact, a recapitulation of wage increases granted during the current year would practically include all the basic industries. By the same token, the trend of prices is upwards. In confirmation thereof we need cite but two major items-rent and fuel. According to the recent report of the United States Coal Commission, anthracite coal has scored more than 100 per cent increase during the past ten years. The average rent increase, in many cases, has been much more. It is plain, too, that the increased cost of living can not be definitely measured by index figures. In this connection, we quote from a recent issue of "The Post,' the official publication of the Union of Post Office Workers of England, as follows: "We sincerely hope that one outcome of the struggle will be to make the Government realize that men and women are not prepared to permit their remuneration to be governed by a figure which at the best is but a poor indicator of changes in prices. It may be argued that the formula of the ministry is: scientific, reliable and honest. Against such argument is the practical experience of the housewife, who finds that she cannot purchase the necessities of life or satisfy the landlord with the production of the ministry's figures." A public sentiment favorable to a wage increase for letter carriers is indicated by a growing number of approving references thereto, appearing in the public press. "It is doubtful if any body of public servants works harder and more loyally than the mail carriers," says the Detroit News, "and these men should be paid enough to provide a fair subsistence for themselves and those dependent upon them." A similar friendly attitude is reflected in the columns of other publications and this sentiment is certain to grow more manifest as time passes and following n definite formulation of our wage program by the Providence Convention. Moreover, there are many phases of this entire salary question that as yet have been lightly stressed, but which |