Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 151, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 13 July 1917 — To Have New Depot Mail Carrier. [ARTICLE]

To Have New Depot Mail Carrier.

Rensselaer is to have a new carrier of the mails between the postoffice and the Monon depot. About so often the carrier grows tired of his job and resigns. This happened recently when Charles Harvey, the present carrier, tendered his resignation, and the postoffice department advertised for new bids by means of their bulletin board. Harvey filed a new and higher bid, but others wanted the job and two Other Bidders were lower than his new bid, which was higher than the bid by which he secured his present contract. James Swaim’s bid of $530 per annum was the lowest, but the department informed the postmaster here that that was more than the department, could afford to' pay, the limit being fixed at S4BO. Under the circumstances' Mr. Swaim decided to take the job at that figure and he will be given the contract and commence work at an early date. Why the postoffice department is so particular as to what it pays for this work is hard to understand; also how it could help paying what the job is worth if everyone refused to take the job at the department’s figures. Under the present contract Mr. Harvey is carrying the mail for less than the S4BO compensation just fixed by the department, and' many are wondering that if the department failed to find any one to accept their figures if it would compel Harvey to carry the mail for the rest of his life at the figures fixed by the department. The job should pay SI,OOO per year, as the carrier has to be on the job from 5 o’clock in the morning until after 8 o’clock in the evening and also has to keep a horse to assist in the work.