xt7j9k45tp3w_8 https://exploreuk.uky.edu/dips/xt7j9k45tp3w/data/mets.xml https://exploreuk.uky.edu/dips/xt7j9k45tp3w/data/2009ms132.0800.dao.xml Gallagher, John R., 1890-1957 0.27 Cubic Feet 9 folders archival material 2009ms132.0800 English University of Kentucky The physical rights to the materials in this collection are held by the University of Kentucky Special Collections Research Center.  Contact the Special Collections Research Center for information regarding rights and use of this collection. Wade Hall Collection of American Letters: John R. Gallagher letters John R. Gallagher speech text John R. Gallagher speech 2025 https://exploreuk.uky.edu/dips/xt7j9k45tp3w/data/2009ms132.0800/Box_wh_87/Folder_10/Multipage199.pdf circa 1939-1941 1941 circa 1939-1941 section false xt7j9k45tp3w_8 xt7j9k45tp3w , / f?{/
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ir. Chairman, Cistinkuished nests, Jellow*Co-workers, Ladies and Gentlemen:

T am indeed very happy to have the pleasure of attend'ng tnis State Convention of the
Kational League of Mistrict rostmasters of the Ynited States. T m grateful for the
privilege for the reason that I am always able to gain much valuable information and for

the many pleasant associations made at these meetings.

n

my pleasure to bring to you postmasters in ---—i-4-9~¢-3 greetings and best

Y . ”_ _ 3 1w . _ F
.r651 ent, A u .ur A ti

Hat onal
iepresentative, The Honorable i A. Teeks, our ssistant Secretary,

‘tonesifer, and all the other fiationa Officers.

Cf the many objectives of this Crfanization, I am of the opinion that at this time the
legislative program sponsored by this, your, League holds more interest than possibly any
otier subject. Therefore, I shall endeavor to briefly outline the present status of the

proposals introduced for and sponsored by the League.

In the present session of this seventy-sixth Congress, Our Organization, The League, was
responsible for the introduction of 8.525—- U. R. 2209, commonly known as The Fourth
Class Salary Sill. This Bill introduced for, and sponsored by, The Eational League of
district Fostmasters provisions of which we honestly believe contain the only fair plan
of compensating Fourth Class Postmasters was on the tenth day of January introduced in
the House of Representatives and then referred to the Committee on Post Offices and Post
Roads. On January the twelvth the same bill was introduced in the Senate by Senator

Sead and then referref to their Committee on Post Offices and Post Roads.

This measure would fix annual salaries for postmasters at Fourth Class post offices
and readjust salaries at certain third class post offices, based upon the gross postal
receipts in the same manner and under the same plan as that is now in effect for the
postmasters of the first, second, and t ird classes, and would have the effect of stand-
ardizing all classes of postnasters under the same system. Your National Board

consider this one of the greatest measures ever introduced in Congress for the relief

 

 of the Fourth Class postmasters. Our Bill is very simple, which differs from other
pending proposals, and any postmaster can determine what his or her salary would be under
this measure if the postage sales and cancellation are too widely different.

The advantage of the League Billi are that it would fix definite salaries for a year at =
a time, and such salaries would be adjusted annually on a basis of the receipts for the
calendar year next preceding the adjustment. The salary may be reduced or may be
advanced according to the business of the office, and I am of the opinion you folks will

agree with me that this is only proper.

The approval of this Bill would result in simplified accounting. Postmasters would no

longerbe required to count cancellation or to figure commissions at the different rates

now provided. This figfly should simplify the accounting by at least fifty per cent in

such offices.

Woreover, mail diverted from another office for mailing would not effect the post—
master's salary. Boycotting of post offices would be out of the question, because a
patron after learning that the postmaster was under a straight salary, would not mail
his letters at other offices because of some disagreement. By the same rule, the

postmaster would no longer come under a cloud of suspicion for padding.

The approval of this measure merely replaces the cancellation system by providing a
salary system. It does not repeal the allowances for rent, fuel, lirht and equipment,
which is not to be considered a part of the postmaster's salary. Neither does it repeal
the commissions on money order fees or separating allowances, as these allowances are for

specific purposes and should not be considered a part of the postmaster's salary.

Since our measure is simple and can be understood by any postmaster, think I can
thruthfully say that the only objection that has yet been advanced, is that it will
increase the cost of the service. Should this measure become a l'w, the average
salary of the fourth class postmaster would still be over one hundred dollars less than
the average annual salary for clerks in third class offices, and still over eleven

hundred dollars less than the average salary of third class postmastere.

 

 In View of these averares paid other Government workers, which are provable facts,
would anyone have the nerve to advocate or attempt to defend an avera“e salary below that
which would be effective under this bill for postmasters of the fourth class?

Your National and State Officers take pride in advocating the passage of such a
measure solely on its merits, and now we appeal to the individual postmaster to join
with us in this effort.

Now, my good friends, comes the National Association of Postmusters, after three months
sponsoring the introduction of another bill, known as H. R. 5278, which is similar to
their Bill presented in February of last year, except it provided amendments for in-

creases and decreases e

The House Post Office Committee informed our Washington Representative, Mr. Weeks,

that this measure was introduced by request of and sponsored by the Association. It
should be understood by you postmasters, here today, that the responsibility for this
measure rests entirely wi‘h the National Association of Postmasters, and that the
Senators and the Representative introducing the measure did so by request and not

because they approved of the proposal.

The Associ tion mealsure H. R. 5278 provides that salaries shall be fixed on a basis
of earnings, plus allowances during the calendar year 1938, and provides that increases
or decreases will be based on each unit of $30 stamps purchased, giving to the
postmaster an increase or decrease of $24.

This bill is only fair to the postmasters, who, in 1938, were drawing the maximum of
$1100, plus 8165 for rent, fuel, light and equipment and the average money order fees for
an office of that size. In this case, the bill might be considered fair, but there are
only 2500 of these postmasters. There are 27,000 who fall below this bracket and the
rate of increase is based on 80% of the stamps purchased. No credit is given for box_
rents, which will revert to the Government, nor for postage on permit and second class
matter. This means that apgroximately $900,000 of annual business done by fourth class

postmasters will be disregarded and no credit is given in the readjustment.