Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-11-03

change made by that congress enables one
to prepay the reply to a letter which he
sends abroad by means of q coupon which
costs about 9 cents Such coupons will be
on sale at our post offices, and they will be
eXchangeable in the countries to which they
are sent for the postage stamps there to the
value of % confines or cents. The con-
gress also provided that MESA ges may be
written on the addressed sides Of postal
cards. This will be especially interesting
to Americans travelling in Europe who wish
to send picture postals home
Picture Postals and the Mails.
How about picture post cards? Have
they Increased our postal business?"
They undoubtedly have" replied the
Postmaster General. land that in a most
uniform size and weight. They are easily
handled because they occupy but small
space and are no great burden to the letter
carriers. 1t takes about 100 of them to
make a pound, and as the postal rate for
each is one cent the revenue we get from
a pound of such cards is $1.2. This is also
true of the United States postal cards.
"EIavo they come to stay?'
THAT Is matter which time must an
swer. Many people regard them as fad
and think their use will eventually die out.
They are very convenient reminders. how
ever. and enable one to let his friends know
he is thinking Of them without writing
long letter. In that respect they are popu-
lar"
Foreign Postal Cards.
IT suppose most Of the picture postals
come from abroad?"
YES we have a large number in the for
eign mails Millions are sent to this coun-
try, having been mailed In foreign countries
20 friends and relatives at home. I have
no means Of knowing absolutely but l be-
lieve that the quantity of picture post cards
which comes into the United States from
foreign countries Is many times greater
than the number OF postal cards we use at
home OF course the revenue from such
cards mailed in foreign countries addressed
to citizens of our country, is TO the adNaHt-
age of the foreign countries where they are
mailed. Foreigners do not travel In America
as extensively as Americans travel In for
eign countries. The balance of trade In this
lire is therefore in favor of the foreigners,
inasnuch as post cards are handled recip-
rocaly. Indeed it is believed that three or
four foreign post cards come to the United
s.atcs for every United States post card
sent abroad
Politics and the Post Office.
How about civil service In your depart
ment, Mr.. Postmaster General? Is 1t o po-
Ntical machine run for the benefit OF the
party In power?"
mot at ALL" was the reply. THE civil
service rules prevail Our employees are
treated without regard to their political az
filiations and we are having fewer COM
1l&ints than ever as to any improper par
tis3n activity on their part.
"Eow about organizations Of government
clerks? Should they be encouraged?'
1T depends upon the organizations and
their objects. If they are formed for social
enjoyment, mutual aid or improvement, or
for the benefit of the service, they may be
unobjectionable and even desirable. With
any ether purpose in view they are detr!-
mental to the service. to their members and
to the public. 1t is my duty to insist upon
efficient work from every employe without
regard to his connection with any organiZa-
ton. l recognize every clerk as an individ-
Lal and only as an individual. He Is to be
appointed. advanced. transferred and treat
ed upon his merit alone. The Post Office Dc
partment is operated under the law and its
officers have to consult the interests of all
the people and pay such salaries and make
such assignments as are authorized by Con-
s-ess. The only criterion of service and
compensation should be the law ani the
public interest, and it should be clearly I'M
derstood that the officials of the Post Once
Department are the proper persons 20 pre-
sent the departments needs to Congress
and not the officials or members Of any or
2au!Zat ton Of employees"
FRANK O. CHRDENTNR