Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1905-01-06
IMPROVED VILLAGE MAIL SER
VICE.

The largest aggregation of govern
ment employees is found in the ranks of
postmasters of the fourth class Of
fices-'hat is, Offices paying salaries of
less than $1,000 per annum. There are
10000 of them, a greater army than
that enrolled in the regular military
service of the United States.
On these postmasters, constituting
the primary department, so to speak,
Of that vast educational institution
called the postal system, much of its
efficiency depends. Anything which
concerns them is, therefore, Of practic-
al Importance not only to the rural
communities and small towns where
they do their work, but to the business
and professional men and all the people
of our large cities.
These servants of the Government
have claims to consideration. Some of
the demands put forward in their name
are extravagant, but others are, in the
Sentry's opinion, worthy the attention
of all those believers in postal reform
who realize that any genuine improve
ment must begin at the fountain head.
The two-fold appeal of these post
masters is for more permanent tenure
of office and more adequate compen-
sation for services performed.
Under the present system, post
master of this class is commissioned to
hold office "during the pleasure of the
Postmaster G Generll." This tenure may
last one month or ten years, being
governed entirely by the exigeneies of
local politics. Since appointments are
made almost wholly upon the recon-
mendation of Congressman of the dom
inant party, or of political committees,
often appointed post'masters, greatly
to the damage of the service. An sx-
tension of the civil service rules to
cover these positions, would involve no
difficult problems and would benefit
the public as well as the post-mas'
ters.
The request for additional compensa-
tion is founded on an equally reason
able basis, as to many of the incum-
bents of these positions. Postmasters
reeeiving from $15 to $95 month are
obliged by the postal regulations or
by local custom to keep "open shop
from a. m. to s p, ma days work
manifestly too strenuous for the pay
involved. No allowance is made to
them for rent, fuel, stationery or other
expenses incident to their official dut-
les.
There is also just complaint as to the
insufficient pay allowed for issuing
money orders. The fee is three cents
for each order, which covers the entire
duty of helping the purchaser All out
his application, writing out the order
aud "adviee" TO paying postmaster,
handling the money, preparing all the
complicated reports required by the
department and the accounting office
and romittmg the surplus funds 20 the
designated place Of deposit, An able
bodied man can earn more money saw
ing cord wood than by doing this work
for the pay now granted by the law.
4 These postmasters must give bonds
for the faithful performance Of duty,
koep voluminous records Of all orders
issued and paid, and carefully preserve
all files for a period Of four years,
Three cents being the minimum Zee
charged by the government TO patrons
for orders less than $s.5O each in
amount, has bene arbitrarily fxed as
the compensation Of issuing postmas-
terS by the introduction OF the post
cheek the number Of such small orders
issued (now nearly e5,OOO,000 per an.
numl would be greatly reduced Thus
movement FOR increasing the amount
paid 90 POstmasteEs would be apprO.
! eiahly expedited
The smallest OHiees 40 rot issue
money orders as a rule, and yield a
very m<agEe compensation. Forty