The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-12-10

Washington. Dec. i0.-Postmaster-Ge Gen
eral Cortelyou, referring In his annual re-
port just filed TO "A deficit of $40 SIC, "a
IN the operations OF the postoffice de-
partment last year. declares he Is less
concerned about the deficit than he rs
recommends that the salaries OF the en-
ployes OF the department be increased. as
he Is convinced that the pay OF many OF
them IL inadequate.
He ADVISES that the office of deputy
postmaster general be created, and that
the incumbents tenure OF office be made
permanent. lie says he has found the
laws relating TO second-class mail TO be
poorly adapted 10 present conditions. ana
urges a substantial change or "A revision.
lie asserts that he knows OF no one thing
that will do more for the postal service
than continued insistence upon the policy
OF substituting business for politics IN the
administration OF its affairs, The post
master general says:
while this department has "A person
mel of more than 10000 and requires an
nual appropriations approximatlng szoO.-
100000, the general supervision OF It's az
fairs is intrusted TO a postmaster general.
and but four assistants. It's remarkable
growth in recent years has put upon
these officials burdens OF which tney
should be relieved. l. recommend that
provision be made for a deputy post
master-general, who shall be the rank
ing officer OF the postmaster-generals as
sistants, whose tenure shall De perma-
nent whose compensation shall be COM
mensurate with his position ana whose
duties shall be In the nature or a geheral
manager of the postal service.
"The public demand for postal FACILITIES
Is constantly growing. If the installation
of the rural service had depended upon
the existence OF a surplus I'm the postal
revenues under the existing system OF
accounting, that service could not nave
been given. The same considerations APP
ply TO a number of other branches. Inc
financial returns from certain branches
al on MT
upon others that there is much torce IN
the contention that IL is unfeasonaple 10
charge any one OF them with the respoh-
siblity for the deficit.
THE rural delivery has undoubtedly
increased the bulk OF hrst-class mail mat
ter. Ehe circulation Of the second-class
mail also very largely affects the puik OF
the higher class, TO what degree IL is
practically impossible TO determine. OI
course a rapidly increasing dehclt Tor
period of years may be a mater Oh some some
concern, but / think present conditions
warrant us in turning our attention
rather TO an investigation and Improve
nent of every branch OF the depart
ment's work IL we improve the char
acter OF service we shall have less occa-
sion TO be disturbed by the cost of SER
vice, for IL has been the experience or
many postal administrations, not only
here but abroad. that the giving OF addi-
tional facilities, within reasonable units
IS almost invariably followed by an in
creased use OF the malls and consequent
I'm spite of defects the efficiency of the
service has been in many respects re-
markable, as witness the record or the
registry service for the half century OF
its existence, showing a percentage OF
loss from all causes-includng burglary,
theft and fire-for the fiscal year ended
June 3o 1904. OF only three one-thou-
eandths OF per cent Some private busi-
ness enterprises may in certain directions
yield better financial returns. but they
cannot show a higher standard OF in
regrity nor more faithful performance OF
duty.
I'm the two years closed June 90 1906.
the fraud orders number $50. exceeding
by II the total number issued in the four
years Immediately preceding. The
schemes suppressed represented almost
every conceivable variety OF fraud. In
cudel In the total OF orders issued dur
ing the two years period in question
were 80 orders against lotteries and
similar enterprises.
Competent employees are constantly
leaving the service 10 obtain better
wages elsewhere. The salaries paid in
the lower grades offer little inducement
TO those seeking employment. Numerous
vacancies caused by the resignation or
experienced clerks have to be filled. at
best, by inexperienced men. thus lower
ing the efficiency OF the service. Much OF
ahe work in our postoffices can not be
performed satisfactorily by such men,
as years or training are required before
proficiency Is attained. The employees of
this service have a right TO expect that
their chosen vocation shall yield a suffi-
cient income to meet current expenses
and provide a little in addition for the
needs OF the family in times OF sickness
and misfortune. The increased cost OF
living, together with the multiplying re-
sponsibillties which result from the phe-
ncmenal growth OF the postal service.
fairly entitle many of It's clerks and other
employees to an increase OF salary
Especially do the foregoing comments
apply TO postoffice clerks, railway mail
clerks. city carriers. and rural carriers.
many of whom are, in my judgment, very
iradequately compensated.
81 have carefully read the reports Of
the proceedings of the several commits
sions that have dealt with the subject of
railroad transportation pay. Ii these COM
missions were now sitting. / think with
The data at present available more def
mite conclusions could be reached. While
my impression is very strong that we pay
a great deal too much for transportation,
J should not be warranted in making a
recommendation based merely upon such
nm impression. nor do / consider the In
formation given I'm the reports OF lnves-
legations thus far made sufficiently def
mite to warrant a recommendation for a
specific reduction. The departments pres
ent relation TO the matter of pay for pos
tai cars is also far from satisfactory
From a business point OF view the COM
pensation would seem TO be excessive.
Some light may be thrown on this gen.
eral subject by the count OF second class
matter and the weighing Of penalty mail
which are in progress, and particularly II