In October, 1895, one Roberts, an auxiliary postman was warned that he would be dismissed unless his conduct improved. He had been reported for "treating parcel receptacles in a rough and reckless manner, and smashing the parcels." In November, 1895, he altered the address on a parcel in order to save himself the trouble of delivering the parcel on the day on which he made the alteration. The parcel was given to a carrier on another route, who returned it as not deliverable. After some delay the parcel finally was delivered by Roberts. When Mr. S. Walpole, Secretary of the Post Office, heard this testimony, he exclaimed: "And was Roberts dismissed on the spot?" Mr. Badcock, Controller London Postal Service, replied: "No. The overseer described him as totally unreliable, and he was warned for the last time." Mr. Walpole continued: "Why was he not dismissed?" Mr. Badcock replied: "Well, he ought to have been." In January, 1896, Roberts was again cautioned; on February 24, 1896, he failed to attend his morning duty; and he was seriously cautioned again. In March, 1896, he was guilty of "gross carelessness," and was told to look for other employment. Thereupon Roberts wrote his postmaster that he was a member of the Postmen's Federation. Shortly afterward, Mr. Churchfield, Secretary of the Postmen's Federation, brought Roberts' case before the Tweedmouth Committee, alleging that the Post Office Department had dismissed Roberts because he had supplied evidence to the representatives of the postal employees who had appeared before the Tweedmouth Committee.[333]