New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-02-04
p0STnFFLCE NEEDS.

The letter of Postmaster WILCOX 10 Tue tosl-
master General, outlining the needs of lhls OF
fee shows clearly that the new postmaster is
studying his problem with diligence and lntelll-
genee Every one of his suggestions, an an
stract of which we publish III another column
is practical and made for the purpose OF lacllI-
tating the transaction of business He is not
concerned for a SNOWY postofice building. His
idea is not a great place TO store letters, but
machine to keep them moving, and his attention
is devoted to the perfection of plans to avoid
that congestion which so frequently blocks the
work of the postoffice There is q rural notion
that frequent deliveries and the force and APP
paratus to secure speedy intramural transit are
a luxury That is a deusion. They are neces-
sit. The mail accumulates so rapidly that IN
less it is Eept moving swiftly it cannot be
handled Ut all.
Mr. Wilcox wants four new branch postof-
fees, with their necessary clerks and carriers,
to prevent an Overwhelming accumulation of
mail in some existing Offices where there is no
room to handle it, and where the bulk of 1t can
be handled only with wastefully long carriage
in collection and distribution. He makes the
sensible suggestion that small auxiliary fund
of not more than $4,000 be made available for
emergency carriers for the first days of the
month and other times of heavy mail. The sub
stitutes are always about awaiting employment
and in this manner the business can be eco
nomically transacted. The postmaster wants all
the brancA offices speedily connected by pneu-
matte tubes. He holds that Immediate extern
sion of this service is absolutely necessary in
'Order TO give the patrons of the postoffice a
proper delivery OF mails and TO give TO this
office the proper means of handling the enor
'mous amount of mail matter coming here"
In addition he wants tubes to his suggested
branches and asks that the pending Postoffice
bin be amended, proposed by Senator For
aker, to conform to the department recammen-
dations, which have not been followed by the
House committee Another interesting sugges-
ton is the extended use Of subway cars and the
possible running of a subway loop into the post
office to facilitate loading and unloading. Plans
for securing more room in the general postotfice
and for facilitating the transmission of news
papers and magazines by direct shipment from
offices 20 trains are also outlined.
Some money will be needed 10 carry out these
designs of Postmaster Wilcox, but there ought
not to be the slightest danger of his wants be-
ing ignored by Congress. He has been placed
here by the President 20 do a difficult work
His success viii rebound greatly to the credit
of the administration. The House has, on the
plea of general economy, cut down the depart
ment estimates for facilities needed for the
great cities and beled its plea by large in
creases for rural delivery. which will not bene-
fit one-tenth the number of people or bring back
anything like the revenue in return. Every
dollar spent here means increased earnings
which go TO pay for deficits elsewhere. It is
not only justice. but sound business. to deal
literally with New York. The people of this
city should make their voice heard in Washing
ton TO secure for Postmaster Wilcox the facili-
ties which he asks.