Chapter IX

THE POST OFFICE EMPLOYEES PRESS THE HOUSE OF COMMONS FOR INCREASES
OF WAGES AND SALARIES 127

British Government's policy as to wages and salaries for
routine work, as distinguished from work requiring a high
order of intelligence. The Fawcett revision of wages, 1881.
Lord Frederick Cavendish, Financial Secretary to the Treasury,
on pressure exerted on Members of Parliament by the telegraph
employees. Sir S. A. Blackwood, Permanent Secretary to the
Post Office, on the Fawcett revision of 1881. Evidence as to
civil servants' pressure on Members of Parliament presented
to the Royal Commission on Civil Establishments, 1888. The
Raikes revision of 1890-91; based largely on the Report of the
Committee on the Indoor Staff, which Committee had recommended
increases in order "to end agitation." The Earl Compton, M.
P., champions the cause of the postal employees in 1890; and
moves for a Select Committee in 1891. Sir James Fergusson,
Postmaster General in the Salisbury Ministry, issues an
order against Post Office servants "endeavoring to extract
promises from any candidate for election to the House of
Commons with reference to their pay or duties." The Gladstone
Ministry rescinds Sir James Fergusson's order. Mr. Macdonald's
Motion, in 1893, for a House of Commons Select Committee. Mr.
Kearley's Motion, in 1895. The Government compromises, and
appoints the so-called Tweedmouth Inter-Departmental Committee.

CHAPTER X
THE TWEEDMOUTH COMMITTEE REPORT 165

The Government accepts all recommendations made by the
Committee. Sir Albert K. Rollit, one of the principal
champions in the House of Commons of the postal employees,
immediately follows with a Motion "intended to reflect
upon the Report of the Tweedmouth Committee." Mr. Hanbury,
Financial Secretary to the Treasury, intimates that it
may become necessary to disfranchise the civil servants.
The Treasury accepts the recommendations of the so-called
Norfolk-Hanbury Committee. The average of expenses on account
of wages and salaries rises from 11.54 cents per telegram
in 1895-96, to 13.02 cents in 1902-03, concomitantly with
an increase in the number of telegrams from 79,423,000 to
92,471,000.