Norwich bulletin., 1910-12-07


 economical and simpler in it's operation than any similar system abroad. Ar engagements have been perfected so that savings banks will be opened i'll some cities and towns on the 1st of January, and there will be gradual extension of the benefits of the plan to the rest of the country.
 Wpins Out of Postal Deficit. As I have said, the postoffice depart ment is a great business department, and I am glad to note the fact that under it's present management prin- ciplss5 of business economy and effi- ciency are being applied. For many years there has been 8 deficit in the operations of the postoffice department which has been met by appropriation from the treasury. The appropriation estimated for last year from the treas ury over and above the receipts of the department was ST, ,o00.00O.
 l am glad to record the fact that of that S17,500,000 estimated for $11, ,500,- 900 were saved and returned to the treasury. The personal efforts of the postmaster general secured the effec- tive cooperation of the thousands of postmasters and other postal officers throughout the country in carrying out his plans of reorganization and re- trenchment The result is that the postmaster general has been able to make his estimate of expenses for the present year so low as to keep within the amount the postal service is ex- pected to earn. It is gratifying to re- port that the reduction in the deficit has been accomplished without any curtailment of postal facilities. On the contrary, the service has been greatly extended during the year in all it's branches A principle which the post master general has recommended and sought to have enforced in respect to all appointments has been that those appointees who have rendered good service should be reappointed.
 This has greatly strengthened the interest of postmasters throughout the country in maintaining efficiency and economy in their offices, because they believed generally that this would se- cure for them further tenure.
 Extension of the Classified Service. ] Upon the recommendation of the postmaster general have included in the classified service all assistant post masters, and I believe that this giving a secure tenure to those who are the most important subordinates of post masters will add much to the efficiency of their offices and an economical ad- ministration. A large number of the fourth class postmasters are now in the classified service.
 I think it would be wise to put in the classified service the first, second and third class postmasters. It is more logical to do this than to classify the fourth class postmasters. for the req son that the fourth class postoffices are invariably small and the postmas- ters are necessarily men who mus" combine some other business with the postmastership. whereas the first, sec ond and third class postmasters are paid q sufficient amount to justify the requirement. that they shall have no i ether business and that they shall de vote their attention to their postoffice duties.
 To classify first, second and third class pOstmasters would require the passage of an act changing the method of their appointment so as to take away the necessity for the advice and : consent of the senate. I am aware that this is inviting from the senate q concession in respect to it's quasi exec utive power thut is considerable. but I believe 1t to be in the interest of good J 1GI Of ice
 To make this change would take the postmasters out of politics, would re lieve congressman who now are bur dened with the necessity of making recommendations for these places of q responsibility that must be irksome and can create nothing but trouble, and it would result in securing greater attention to business greater fidelity and consequently greater economy and efficiency in the postoffices which they conduct
 The Fran!<ins Privilege. The unrestricted manner in which the franking privilege is now being used by the several federal services anu by COuSISoS HdS l6l1O IL ODCU LO SC- rious abuses, a fact clearly established through investigations recently insti- tuted by the department. While it has been impossible without a better control of franking to determine the exact expense to the government of this practice, there can be no doubt that it annually reaches into the mil lions.
 It is believed that many abuses of the franking system could be prevent ed and consequently a marked econo- my effected by supplying through the agencies of the postal service special official envelopes and stamps for the free mail of the government, all such envelopes and stamps to be issued on requisition to the various branches of the federal service requiring them and such records to be kept of all official stamp supplies as will enable the post office department to maintain a prop CT postage account covering the entire volume of free government mail.
 AS the first step in the direction of this reform special stamps and stamp ed envelopes have been provided for use instead of franks in the free trans mission of the official mail resulting