The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1889-12-01
REPORT.

First and last Postmaster-(;eneral
Wanamaker is a business man, and
every move he makes shows it. To be a
statesman i'm the true sense Of the
word is not within he measure of his
possibilities. We should expect, there
fore, that the annual report of such u
postmaster-general would reflect the
views of n pure man of business, free
from fanciful theories or wild sug-
eestions. In this expectation we
arc not disappointed, for he report
IN the main Is candid and sensible. MFR.
Wanamaker reiterates his position OH
tho postal telegraph, declaring that the
experiment can be made SO quickly and
eheaply that IL is certainly worth the
trial. That it would create "a new
class of business" is true enough,
though it may perhaps be doubted
whether the volume Of this business
would be as great AS Mr.. wanamaker
seems to think. People do not CORE
spond by telegraph except upon mat
ters requiring immediate attention.
Leaving cheapness out of the question,
the advantages of secrecy, certainty
md volubility offered by the post will
always render il the favOrite means of
transmitting intelligence In imme-
mediate sending of which is not deemed
Q necessity by the sender. Still with
the growth of the population and the
constantly increasing complexity n
interdependence of business interests,
. postal telegraph would prove very
valuable.
A double postal card for return
answers is not a bad idea. 1t would i'm
great be an evidence of good
faith on the part of the sender, just as
tho enclosure of a stamp in n letter
10 q stranger indicates that the
writer is not trying to impose
upOn the recipient. Other minor rec
concentrations contained in the report,
though they can scarcely be called
original with Mr.. wanamaker, are such
- commend themselves to the public.
The postmaster general cannot see
his way clear to extending the parcel
post system, arguing that the already
0vercrowded condition of the post
offices and the deficit i'm the revenue of
the department render such an extern
sion impracticable at the present time.
All of which 10 good news to the ex-
press companies.
Mr.. Wanamaker takes q position in
favor of civil service in the depart
nent "The postal department has an
individuality of it's own,' he says.
Tho ordinary good clerk of the gov
might suit perfectly well in
any other of the civil places. but for
postofiice work he must almost learn
the trade. There ought to be a kind of
apprenticeship with promotion. With
10000 employees rightly selected, who
feel proper pride i'm representing the
government and are alive every day to
Improvement, the postal service would
Don become the best in the world"
This reads very nicely. but Mr.. Wan
amaker's actions belle his words. His
course up to the present time indicates
hat whatever may be his belief ON the
subject, he has no more notion of ap-
plying civil service to the postoflices of
the country than has the lonesome inhab-
liant of the moon. Ceaseless and untir-
ing in assisting the president
I'm his work of decapitation Mr..
Wanamaker sets n brilliant exam
pie for all postmasters to follow. and
though none may approach the general
In rapidity and dexterity, all are en-
eOuraged to put forth their best efforts
n strive to come as near the ideal AS
circumstances and honest industry will
hermit.