New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-12-04
THE POSTOFFICE.

All citizens who are anxious TO see the New
York Postoffice reformed and its service brought
IN TO the requirements of business have reason
70 he pIeased over the selection of William r.
Wilcox 10 be postmaster Mr.. Wilcox is a
Young man of ability, energy and independence.
As a LAWYER he has gained the confidence Of per-
sons with large interests by his tact and capacity
10 manage important affairs. To the people OF
this CITY he is best known as the president OF
the DEPARTMENT of Parks in the administration
of Mayor Low. In this Office he made an eN-
cellent record, and great advance was seen
both In the care and improvement OF Centrai
Park and in the development OF new parks and
Fairgrounds in the cOngested districts OF the
city Mr.. Wilcox brought to his work industry,
enterprise and intelligence He sought the adj
vice of experts in putting the parks in the best
possible state, he enforced discipline and got for
the taxpayers more nearly than ever before the
worth of their Money, and he displayed the rare
official virtue of welcoming the critic who could
tell him of shortcomings in his department and
trying to correct them.
These are just the qualities needed in our
postoffice, whicl, has fallen so much behind the
times. The new postmaster will have q heavy
task but he will likewise have great opportunl-
ties to win reputation as an executive. lie
will need TO seek the suggestions Of business
men who find the service inadequate to the de-
mandS of modern commerce, and try in a spirit
Of cooperation with them to key 1t up to their
requirements. He will also need to secure an
insight into the political ramifications of his
office, and stand ready with perfect fearlessness
TO chop off heads wherever he finds his staff be-
ing used for improper purposes. Then he VIII
need to look forward to the better equipment OF
his office. He must plan for the larger use OF
new inventions 10 facilitate the handling OF
mail. for the better organization of his force
and for making the pOstotilce generally really
efficient instrument OF the commerce of this city.
To do this he will require intelligent and lid
era aid from Washington. For years New-York,
while being the larges. revenue producer for the
postal service, has received scant consideration
from Congress and the department There is
evidence of some change of spirit. Officials are
realizing the wisdom of adapting methods to
actual conditions here, and developing the ser
vice as a private corporation would do, by max
ing whatever investment is necessary TO the
proper transaction of its business. Tradition
and red tape have stood in the way of an ade-
quate service and of a large government in
come which might be earned here if the gov
eminent had the enterprise to invite local pat
ronage which is now largely devoted to tele-
graph and messenger companies.
Mr.. Wilcox is open minded, farseeing
man, who, we are confident, will do his best to
make the New-York Postoffice what it should
be. He is entitled 10, and doubtless will re-
ceive, Il more liberal and thOroughgoing support
for reforms and innovations than Congress or
the department has generally been inclined to
give to any movement for the benefit of the
metropolis.