Los Angeles herald., 1907-10-13

MSPECTS p. O.
MORE CARRIERS PROMISE OF
OFFICIAL
PosTMAsTERs GATHER TO HOLD
CONSULTATION
Improvement Of Service Object OF
Inspection 'Iour-AdjustabIe Wage
Scale Proposed for Depart-
ment Employees

Postmasters from all the towns in
Southern California were gathered in con-
sultation with f. H. Hitchcock, first as
sistant postmaster general. yesterday aft
ernoon at the Los Angeles postoffce.
Mr.. Hitchcock is making tour of the
west for the purpose of becoming familiar
at first hand with conditions affecting
western postal service. He spent yester-
day in Los Angeles as the guest of the
Jonathan club. Today he leaves for Reno.
Accompanied by Congressman McLach-
Ian, J. w. Wood, postmaster Of Pasa-
dena; Harry Hall, assistant superinten-
dent of the postal service, and G. A. Ma
comic, inspector from Washington, d. c.,
Mr.. Hitchcock was whizzed in an auto
mobile over the city and to Pasadena,
where he inspected the postoffice. He
was taken over the route of suburban let
ter carriers in order that he might see
the pressing need Of larger distributing
force.
IT am surprised at the growth of your
city since 1 was here several years ago."
said Mr.. Hitchcock last night. I'VE are
pleased with postal conditions In Los An
geles. Mr.. Flint is a man raised in the
service and is highly thought of in Wash
ington. We have been very liberal in re-
spending to the requests made for en-
West Not Appreciated
my purpose in making this tour is to
get first hand information regarding
postal conditions in the west. Eastern
, representatives are In close touch with
postal headquarters at Washington, but
out here in the west the people have little
opportunity of making known their
wants. The house committee on postal
appropriations is composed almost entire
ly of eastern men, who do not appreciate
the development Of the west.
1T is my purpose to present matters to
the house and senate committees on postal
service and secure an addition to the
postal law which will enable us to In
crease salaries In certain localiues
where conditions warrant it. In Nevada
cost of living is many times greater than
In settled eastern localities and wages
are much higher. Yet, according to pres
net laws, we may only pay postal eni-
ployes in Nevada the same salaries as
they get in other communities. Salaries
should be scaled according to the pre-
vailing rate of wages and peculiar con-
ditions of cost of living.
'It would not be special legislation to
have salaries vary from one part of the
prevail in every locality where given
set of conditions were found, regardless
of where it might be.
Itinerary Condensed
Montana and Nevada are the main OBJ
jective points of my trip. In these states
conditions need change. We will have to
| pay more for employees in these localities
| If we are to get competent help
| Mr.. Hitchcock is making hurried trip
| as he wants to be in Washington for the
| convention of second class postmasters
which will begin October %. Postmasters
gather in central cities to meet him and
discuss conditions.
st think you may safely say that more
carriers will be provided for Los An
geles," he said.
do you favor the plan of consolidating
the Hollywood, Pasadena and Los An
geles postoffce departments into oneT'
was asked.
wherever consolidation Is possible 1t
is desirable because of the great saving
In expense" was the reply. 1T is saw
ing in expense of management materials
and other ways to have departments un-
der one head wherever possible. AS a
rule It results in greater efficiency also.
Whenever it becomes practicable to unite
the suburban postoffices believe 1T
should be done.'
Mr.. Hitchcock is thoroughly absorbed
in his work. He Is a young man full of
vigor and enthusiasm.