New-York tribune., 1908-02-11
URGES POSTAL REFORM
REPORT By COMMISSION.
Especially AdUocates Long Term
for 4dministratiUe Head.
From The Tribune Bureau.l


washington, Feb. 10.-The Postal Commission.
which was created by Congress one year ago. sub
mitted the Senate and House to-day the report
of the experts. a considerable portion OF which
was made public In The Tribune last Saturday
The publication at that time occasioned consider
able comment as only through The Tribune could
members Of Congress learn OF the findings Of their
commission.
The commission also submitted its own report TO
Congress to-day. In doing il declares that II IS
So impressed with the importance of the task as
signed TO it that it refrains from making any DELI
mite recommendations at this time. but confines it
self to a recitation of those recommendations of
the experts which particularly impressed 1T Inc
commission says In part:
The postal service constitutes the only large
business operation in which the government Is en-
penditure Of more than s21O 900 900 during the
rent year. and this stupendous expenditure is des-
being the first effort in the history of the govern
ment to thoroughly INQUIRE into and ascertain the
this great business has been. and is being. con-
and satisfactory system, It is deemed prudent to
submit to the interested public generally and to
vice particularly the facts disclosed and the con-
clusons reached by the expert accountants, with
persons interested in the subject may think
proper to make.
AS indication Of the views at present enter
tanned It is proper to say that the commission Is
@ ~lh ahe wisd6 @ Sf 1he ac
A. That the actual direction OF the business OF
comrnitted 70 an officer, with necessary assistants
to be appointed by the President by and with the
to insure the continuity of efficient service.
ana that the Postmaster General. member Of
the Cabinet, be chargeable only with general
supervisory control and the determination of ques-
B. That the business of the department be de-
centralized. so as to avoid the congestion at the
national capital, which is believed to seriously i'm
pair the efficiency OF the service throughout the
country, while at the same time greatly increasing
c. That the bookkeeping, auditing and account
ins be simplihed. unified and centralized as far as
record of profit and loss somewhat in detail.
more prompt method OF accounting for money and
property. and the elimination of apparently need-
less duplication of work
tailed reports from small postofces be discontin-
ued This will undoubtedly result in large savings
irnparing the efficiency of the service. The mod
small ofces will eliminate about thirty thousand.
or nearly one half. OF all the postoffee accounts
system, or would at least greatly simplify the
same.
the most efficient service can never be expected as
ent fntrusted to a postmaster general and certain
assistants selected without special reference 10 ex
change. Before the Postmaster General and his as
sstants can become reasonably faiilaT ns with me
others. who in turn, are called upon 10 resign be
qualified by knowledge and experience 10 perform
their allotted tasks. Under such a system a large
railroad; commercial or industrial business w&glG
Inevitably GO into bankTuPtcy & and the P9sofiice
Department has aNerTed that tate only betauS'
the United States Treasury has 5een available To
meet deficiencies.
The report of tie weighing of the mails,
thorfzed by the postcffce appropriation act fc- the
year. VIII not he completed until April or
Nav next. and inasmuCh data expected to be
disclosed thereby will he important for COnsdera-
ton in connection with the final report Of the
commission. the same cannot he made until after
named. because changes Of existing law
should be matCrely considered from every avail
able point of view and in the light of all the def
mite knowledge Obtaindble.
The commission consists of Senators Penrose.
Carter and Clay. and Representative OverstTee-,
Gardner. Of New Jersey. and Moon.