Wichita eagle., 1889-11-30
WANAMAKER'S REPORT.
Recommendations Looking to More
Effective Service-A Postal
Telegraph Scheme.


General Wanamaker has submitted his
first report to President Harrison. Mr.,
Wanamaker says: business principles
should be applied to the transaction of the
departments business What is needed,
| first, to accomplish this, is a fourth assist
ant postmaster general. to be in direct
charge of the great divisions of the rail-
way mail, the foreign mail, the
money order office, the registry
and supplies divisions aud lift out
of the Office of the first assistant postmas-
ter general all the duties except the study
ing of men for appointment and establish
ing Offices. changing sites, examining re-
ports OF inspectors and taking care of the
bond division. Create new place and
find the best educated postal man in the
service at the post office department or in
any of the SO, 900 postoffices and make him
the general manager. No great business
establishment can succeed that
e onee in fifteen its pn onabs 0i new
postmaster general must learn the postal
laws and find out what his duties are the
best way he can with the help of old clerks
or an inspector who happens along acct
dentally, There is but little to encourage,
hardly anything to stimulate a postmaster
to do his best work. A new life and spirit
must be infused. By dividing the country
into postal districts and placing a super
visor over each. / believe it can be done"
The report reviews the controversy be-
tween the postmaster general and the
Western Union Telegraph company rela-
tive TO the rates for government business
Mr.. Wanamaker regrets that the negotia-
tions with the Western Union did not lead
to the establishment of a plan whereby the
people could use the telegraph at popular
rates. The plan included telegraph sta
tions at every postoffice window.
The great propriety and advantage of
united service can not be questioned from
a point of convenience and economy to the
people, says the report There is no rea-
son whatever why the night messages of
the telegraph companies should not be
delivered as postal matter by the first
morning delivery of the carriers. This is
proper post Office business and would
add to the profits of the de-
partment. The vast net work or
wires covering the country could easily
reach many of the village postoffices and
benefit more people than stopping at the
railroad stations, which are often a mile or
more distant from where the people live
A contract should be made with telegraph
lines now i'll operation, or that may be
hereafter built under advertisement and
public bid, at the most favorable rate that
the postoffics department contracts
with railroad companies for the
carrying of letters and postal
cards, connecting wires with delivery and
other designated postoffices and receiving
messages to be delivered in each instance
at the next carrier delivery after their re-
ceipt in the city TO which they are sent.
Il respectfully ask that such legislation
be enacted as is necessary to empower the
postmaster general TO enter into contract
with responsible parties for a term not
exceeding five years, on conditions favor
ab TO the government, for the purpose of
establishing limited post and telegraph
service"
Touching civil service the rerort runs
thus: ''rhe ordinarily good clerk for post
office work must also learn a trade There
ought TO be a kind OF apprenticeship with
promotions that would produce motion
throughout the ranks from lowest TO
highest places.
The report recommends that larger dis
cretion be given for making contracts for
carrying foreign mails and the minimizing
of Sunday work. l. is recommended
that all places OF popula-
tion OF not less than 5000
or where the postoffice has shown gross
revenue OF 5000 yesr shall have the
benefit of the free delivery system.
The report expresses belief that we are
not ready for cent postage. The reduc-
ton of revenue would be too severe, The
establishment of postage savings banks at
10000 of the fourth class Offices where
such facilities are needed is recommended
In the matter of the postoffice doing an
express package business, tine report states
that the department is not ready 20 under
take full pscel post because: First, the
postoffices are too greatly crowded now;
second. the postal cars are insufficient for
the work; third, it would necessitste
a resdiustment Of transportation con-