New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-02-15
POST OFFICE CHANGES.
SENATOR CARTER'S PLANS.
He Farors NerU Commission and a
Superintendent Not IN Politics.
rFram The Tribune Rursau.1

washington, Feb 14.-Senator Carter who Is
one Of the most active members OF the Commit
zee on Post Offices and Post RoaEe 91d who is
lso 2 member Of the commission ,.it, n recently
made a report suggesting certain Ranges in
-,ostal administration, told a repre-. N five OF
THE Tribune to-day that he had determined to
devote his energies to accomplishing two reforms
which he regards as absolutely imperative TO
,be efficient administration of the postal service
The first of these is the creation Of an Office
N he known as Superintendent Of Posts, TO be
filed by man Of known business capacity who
shall hold Office during good behavior, free from
the vicissitudas of political and administrative
changes and who shall be held responsible by
Congress for the efficient administration of the
Governments greatest business department. Sen
ator Carter's proposition, as outlined by him, is
sncularly like the English system OF retaining
IN under secretary. who is the administrative
head Of q department and unaffected by political
changes and that the suggestion should come
from q member Of Congress VIII doubtless Occa-
sion some surprise.
senator Carriers second proposition. and II IS
she one which as a matter of expediency he will
rress first Is the creation of a commission
n investigate postal affairs, with authority and
funds to employ expert auditors 10 devise and
nut into operation nsten Of postal book
keeping by which Congress and the postal on
the various branches of the service. the cost OF
CARRYING the several classes OF the mail. etc.
ACTION AT THIS SESSION
while regard both these propositions as Of
vital Importance" said Senator Carter. Il am
afraid that all will he able TO do at this
session viii he to secure the creation of the new
commission endowed with the authority and the
financial resources fnteIHgently 20 examine into
the postal situation The commission now in
existence by its examination demonstrated 10
its own satisfaction that the postal officials are
hopeessly in he dark regarding the funda-
mental facts Of their business. They are unable
10 say what any branch Of the service costs,
what return II brings In how much it costs TO
carry certain class OF mail. etc. There have
been changes widely advertised as reforms. but
they have consisted chiefly Of shifting one d.
vision or another from one bureau to another
and the sum total of such changes means Moth
ing, accomplishes nothing.
AS an instance Of lack Of actual knowledge
possessed by any one connected with the postal
service. ! may cite the fact that Charles Emory
Smith. when he was Postmaster General once
said that II cost seven cents pound TO trans
port and handle second class matter. Ever since
that time postmasters general have been reIt-
Grating this assertion which. apparently. was
simply guess made without any definite in
-ErLGl1eN on which 20 base II Now, IT stands
to reason that Congress cannot intelIigentIv
deal with the question OF second class rates
without knowing something Of what il costs 10
handle second class mail as wei as the other
classes.
-,lCr does this condition Of affairs necessarily
constitute q reelection on the postal officials.
The Postoffce Department IS tremendous
financial Institution, doing a larger business
than almost any commercial institution in the
country. with raulidcations in every postoTlce in
She United States. And vet. the men on whom
devclTes the responsibility OF administering this
great department are appointed with little or
10 regard for their business qualifications serve
for few years and usually change with each
administration. or oftener. They are always
subject 10 political vicissitudes and as a rule.
lave nor time "a learn this great business be-
fore they must give way 10 the friends Of a
new administration.
THE SUPERINTENDENT OF POSTS.
Now. TO remedy this situation. It IS my rur-
pose 10 work for The creation Of q permanent
Office To be filed by an official known as the
Superintendent Of Posts Such a man should
be selected because Of his proven business quail
hcatious, shouI4 hold office pernanently-thaf
Is, during good behavior. and should receive a
compensation large enough TO secure the ser
vices Of a competent business man, such a man
any OF The grea: financial or commercial in
stitutiOns OF the county would be willing Il
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