The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-12-10
WOULD INCREASE WAGES
or POSTOFF|CE employees

provision shall be made for a Weighing OF
other classes OF mail. strongly recon-
mend that such provision be made. IL a
commission were now appointed. repre-
sentative OF all the interests involved, IL
could have access TO the Information pro-
cured by the department. the interstate
commerce commission and other branches
0f the government, and the merits OF the
question at Issue could be fully determin-
ed. III the government Is paying too much
for the carriage of the mails. that fact
should be determined In justice TO the
government. If IL Is not. that fact should
be determined I'm justice 10 The transport
atiQn interests.
During the period l have had charge
OF the department have found the laws
relating TO second-class mail poorly adapt
ed to present conditions and have become
convinced that subtantial change or re-
vision tending To simplihcation is most
desirable. This class Is Intended exclusive
~ for bonaiide newspapers and periodi-
calls, and for them only when they OBJ
serve tho laws limitations and prohibl-
tions There were and still are abuses,
and they occasion loss OF revenue. Reform
OF the abuses is progressing steadily. but
each years experience gives fresh empha-
sis TO the need OF legislative action.
During the year special attention has
been given TO the needs OF the public for
increased facilities for obtaining postage
stamps and stamped paper. and for ex-
tending the registry and money order SER
vices. Although no propounced demand
has as yet manifested itself for books OF
stamps of other than the common de-
nomination OF two cents, the practicanility
OF providing them is under adyisement.
and also OF having the signs on postofflces
including the name OF the office and the
aobreviation OF the name OF the state in
which IL Is located
provision has already been made for
additional facilities for obtaining postage
stamps at railroad and ferry depots and at
other public places. This may be accom-
plished In part by the establishment OF
additional numbered postal stations and
also oy the use OF automatic stamp-vend-
ing machines. with regard to which GER
tain preliminary experiments have already
been made
rhere can be further economies In r,l-
Ial oehVery without any impairment OF
that service. BY more precise method OF
determining the basis OF nav for the
transportation OF the malls the depart-
ment can be relieved of an unbusIness-
IKE feature or administrati ton with a proh-
aole decrease in expenditures. BY tho en-
actment OF a sensible law as TO second
class matter the department and reputa-
pIe puolishers can be saved embarrass-
ments they now suffer and the postal re.
ceipts materially increased
by proper system OF accounting the
department can be placed upon a better
business footing and incidentally credited
with work for which IL now receives no
credlt, And as result OF these and other
needed changes. the deficit, which is in
aaet oniy paper deficit, can be altogeth-
er eliminated. Progress toward these In
provements Will open the way for investi-
gauons to determine the feasibility OF the
aooptlon or many important policies OF
aoninistration-reductio OF postage. both
domestic and international. postal savings
oanks, parcel post. postal telegraph and
selephone, and others, the merits and de.
fects OF all OF which should haya ~ ~
not distant future the fullest considarao
ton