Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-03-11
DEPARTMENT ACTS
IN POSTAL DELAYS
Transfer of Supt. Johnson to
Be Made at Once.
THE ORDER ISSUED TODAY
Mr.. Meyer Taking Supervision of
Whole Washington Office.
THE ORDER ISSUED TODAY
WISHES TO MAKE IT A MODEL
Plenty Of Time Given for Salts
factory Results, Which Did Not
Come-Advice by Experts.

Measures for the Improvement
OF the notoriously lax conditions
in the Washington post Office
were announced today. Among
the changes to be made at once is
the transfer to another position
OF Capt. III. L. Johnson, superin-
tendent Of city delivery, his place
to be taken by a person specially
qualified for the work by training
and experience. The name of
Capt. Johnson's successor is not
yet made public.
This action on the part OF the
Postmaster General is the result
of no sudden activity in connec-
ton with the affairs of the local
post office Since assuming his
portfolio Mr.. Meyer has been
deeply interested in the Washing
ton Office, considering that it
should be made a model institu-
ton, which might be held up to
postmasters in other parts of the
country for their instruction.
1t was in furtherance of this plan tha,
he detailed last summer F. e. McMillin,
the former assistant postmaster Of Bos-
ton, now chief post Office inspector, to
readjust the methods OF handling mail
in the Washington office Mr.. 4LcAiillin
had had wide experience in postal affairs,
"a inxneefor raitu Il
assistant in a metropolitan office. 1t
was 20 make use of his experience for the
benefit of the Washington public that the
Postmaster General gave him that as
signment.
E. o. Windsor, superintendent of sta
tions for the Boston postal district, was
also brought down by Mr.. Meyer to as
sist the chief in inspecting the system
of delivery routes and to suggest i'm
provements which would result in better
service.
But it happened that many of the sug-
gestions made by Mr.. McMillin for the
Improvement of the delivery service were
not carried out by Capt. Johnson, whose
experience in that branch of the postal
service was limited. Yet it was consid-
cred that Capt. johnson should have am
pie opportunity and time to get his branch
OF the service in hand. He has had a
trial lasting more than six months. and
il is now decided that he lacks the neces-
sary technical ability to administer the
duties of the Office OF superintendent of
delivery. He will be transferred to some
other position. His successor. it is an
nounced. will be man thoroughly quail
fed by training and experience to carry
out the plans to make the Washington
office a model.
Mechanical Improvements.
The plans of the department are not
limited, however, by the proposed change
in the superintendent OF delivery. Far
reaching improvements are suggested for
the delivery division which will insure
both accuracy and speed. 1t Is in ac-
cordance with these plans that Mr.. Mey-
er has suggested the establishment of the
office pear the new Union station. while
for immediate availability he has sug
cested Incorporating in the proposed post
office appropriations bill q clause pro-
viding $1,000 for 1.-THE purchase and In
stallation of mechanical conveyors and
equipment for the handling of mail in the
Washington city post office under the di-
rection of the Postmaster General
These proposed conveyors will, if Sc
cured. be used to transfer mail rapidly to
that part of the Office where il belongs
thus avoiding congestion and facilitating
AL operations, saving both time and labor.
Under the direction of chief who COM
prehendS the work of swift and accurate
distribution and delivery, and with the
aid of these appliances. 1t is expected in
the department that the service will be
vastly improved-but even before such ap-
pliances are obtained the change in man
aSement is likely to remove complaints
of bad service now so common.
Training of Clerks.
1t will also be compuls ry for clerks
10 familfarize themselves with the
schemes of distribution, by studying
written plans, and examinations will be
held from time TO time to insure pro-
ficiency. The plan, in short, is to make
the men experts.
With the Washington Office directly
under the eye of the Postmaster Gen.
eral, to whom II will be a matter of pride
to have the service near perfection as
humanly possible, the residents of Wash
ington may feel reassured regarding the
future of their post Office.