§ Mr. MARTINasked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that in the Central Telegraph Office arbitrary averages are set for various classes of telegraph work; whether notices to this effect are given verbally to the staff or posted prominently; whether supervising officers are pressed to maintain the average published by reporting any operator whose output of work falls below it; and whether this policy has his sanction?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELI am not aware of the existence of any arbitrary averages for telegraph work. The supervising officers, of course, know about how much work should normally be disposed of on a circuit, and no doubt they have so informed the telegraphists when occasion requires. Indeed, it is their obvious duty to do so. But except in two instances, of which I was not previously aware, no notice on the subject has been posted. Every telegraphist is expected to do a fair day's work, and if particulars can be furnished of any one who has been required to do more, I shall be glad to have inquiry made.