The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-12-07

more than its cost. and producing a
large annual loss to be paid by general
taxation
MENDED.
If such second class matter paid
merely the cost OF its handling- our
deficit would disappear and a surplus
result which might be used to give the
people stil better mail facilities or
cheaper rates Of letter postage / rec
Ommend that legislation be at once en-
acted to correct these abuses ana intro
duce better business ideas in the regu-
latiOn of our postal rates. Experience
and observation have demonstrated
that certain improvements in the or
ganizatiOn of the pOstOfice department
must be served before we can gain the
full benefit Of the immense sums esc-
pended in its administration This in
wolves the following reforms which /
earnestly recommend.
There should be a small addition to
the existing inspector service. to be
employed in the supervision of the car
rier force, which now numbers $4,000
men and performs its service practical
~ without the surveillance exercised
over all other branches of the postal or
public service.
OF course. such a lack of supervision
and freedom of whilom disciplinary re-
straints must inevitably lead to Inn
perfect service. There should also be
appointed a few inspectors who would
assist the central Office in necessary
lllNeSLlEaLlO0 concerning matters DA
postoffice leases, postof1ce sites, allow
ance for rents, fuels and lights and in
organizing and securing the best re-
suits from the work Of the IA 600 clerks
now employed in first and second class
Offices 1 am convinced that the small
expense attending the Inauguration Of
these reforms would actually be a prof
liable investment. l especially recon-
mend such a recasting of the apprO-
priatiOns by congress for thu pOstOff1ce
department as will permit the postmas-
ter general to proceed with the work of
consolidating pOstOhces. This work
has already been entered upon suth-
GENTLY to fully demonstrate. by expert
ment and experience that such consol-
fdatiOn is productive of better service,
larger returns and less expenditures, to
say nothing of the further advantage
of gradually Withdrawing postofnceS
from the spOils system
POSTAL UNION MENT-
The universal postal union, which
now embraces all the civilized world,
and whose delegates viii represent
1000 600 600 people, will hold its nfth
congress in the city of Washington in
MAY. 1897 The United states may be
said to have taken the initiative which
led to the first meeting of this congress
at Berne in 1874 and the formation OF
the universal postal union, when brings
the postal service OF all cOunLIles 10
every mans neighbOrhOOd~ and mas
wrought marvels in cheapening postal
rates and securing absolutely SaIe man
communication throughout the world
Previous congresses have met IN
Berne, Lisbon and Vienna, and their re-
spective countries in which they have
assembled have made generous proNls-
ion for their accommodation and for
the reception and entertainment of the
delegates. In view of the Importance
Of this assemblage and of its delibera-
tfOns and of the hOnOrS and hOSplla-ll-
ties accorded to our representatives by
other countries on similar occasions, i
earnestly hope that such an approprl-
alton viii be made for the expenses ne
cessarily attendant upon the coming
meeting in our capital city as viii be
worthy Of our national hospitality and
indicative of our appreciation Of the