Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-02-10
Recommendations of Experts.


mission is a report of considerable volume
from two New York accounting firms who
were assigned to the investigation Of the
department by the commission last May.
This report goes at length into the abo-
iition of bureaus. the organization Of ad-
ministrative divisions. the merging of
money order and postal accounts. use of
1abor-saving devices: classification. audit
ing and accounting and all of the many
branches of the subject. 1t contains an
elaborate synopsis of a plan for reorganiz-
ing divisions 1t is pointed out that these
criticisms are directed at methods and not
at individuals.
The following is summary Of the more
important suggestions made in the report
of the examiners
That the offices of first. second. third
and fourth pOstmasters general be abOl-
ished and that director of posts be ap-
pointed at salary sufficient to attract
the best administrative talent in the coun-
try, and that he be given sole charge of
service. subject only. to the control in
matters of policy of the Postmaster Gen.
eral as 2 cabinet officer.
That assistant directors be appointed to
take charge of the main operating divi-
siOns of the service, post offices. trans
port ation. appointments. finance. con-
troller. inspection. purchasing agent and
supplies.
That the controller should be in charge
of the whole accounting for the depart
ment and service. and that the duties Of
the auditor be limited to an audit of all
the accounts in the proper sense of the
word.
That all post offices~not doing a money
order business be treated as MONACO
counting Offices" and that fixed supply
of stamps. etc. be supplied to Them to
be replenished from neighboring account
ing offices. in exchange for cash Or it's
equivalent
That district offices be created at con-
venient points throughout the country, or
ganized in miniature on the same lines
as the department in Washington. which
would supervise the whole of the work
in their districts. under the direction Of
responsible officials.
That the director OF posts and assistant
directors form an advisory board to meet
several times week and discuss impor-
tant questions as they may arise and
that a similar advisory board be created
at each district Office.
That the postmasters accounts for post
al and money order transactions, here
tOfore kept separate. be merged.
That promotions be based on merit and
scheme devised for retiring many of
the older employees.
That the liability for exceeding appro-
priatiOns be strictly defined and limited
That a proper accounting system be
installed
That the cost of the several services
| rendered by the Post Office Department
and postal service should be ascertaned
in accordance with methods herein sug-
gested. either by periodical tests or con-
tinuously
That the use of labor saving devices
and machines be largely extended. par
ticulariy adoption of a mechanical system
| of auditing money orders adoption of the
use Of postal notes. not to exceed SO. and
elimination of all money order offices not
issuing SEQ money orders per annum.
| This report classes the cost. accounting
| and auditing system of the Post Office
Department and service as extremely
crude and absolutely lacking in uni
| formity.
THE appointments of postmasters.
clerks in post offices and many other
grades of the services" says the report
are still largely affected by political
influence