The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1910-09-27
pose tina, the general average !. about

pose that the general average is about
the same
The one great object In the de-
livery of mail lie to serve the public
properly and with as little delay as
possible. But the method of forward
ing mail is just the reverse. as we put
both the addresses and the postal add
ministration to all the delay and
trouble possible.
The appointment of auxiliary
clerks during the rush hours ts
great economy of the time OF the ex-
perienced clerks. The knowledge the
new clerk acquires Curing this Pc
Rod enables him to perform his work
In very intelligent manner long be-
fore he has been appointed to the
regular force, and along the line OF
economy would strongly urge that this
system be enlarged upon as much as
possible.
The many changes In the registry
division during the past three years
have been too numerous to mention.
No desired privilege has apparently
been taken away from the public, yet
the work In this division has been
reduced more than so per cent.
With a view to assisting postmas-
tiers to obtain further economy and
maintain an absolutely clean post
office, would particularly recommend
the following: That residents during
an absence from the city be required
TO designate some place where their
mail can be delivered during such
absence, or rent a box, IL they de-
sire II, held at the postoffice.
Facilities More Than Cost.
In his remarks Mr.. Briggs said:
The fact that the fiscal year OF
1909 showed seeming deficit of ST.
! 100000 In the postoffice department
has been the subject of much com
ment in the secular press and has
developed general discussion Of pos
tai affairs. There is little evidence.
however, that the American people
experienced any alarm for they are
Infinitely more Interested in the ade-
quacy of the postal facilities accorded
them than they are In making their
postal service a source of revenue.
Economy is in keeping with mod
ern ideas. the progress of civilization
and the predominence of Christian
principles.
The matter of supplies for the con-
| duct of a postoffice presents an easy
point leakage. The annual postal
guide repeatedly reminds postmasters
that they are strictly accountable for
! postoftice supplies as they are for the
custody of postal funds Every safe
guard, therefore. should be drawn
around the supplies, and neither any
/ wastefulness tolerated or leakage per-
! mitted. IL every postmaster could
effect saving in supplies of only
one dollar during year this would
amount to nearly seventy thousand
dollars, sufficient sum TO defray the
entire expense OF a first class post
office in town of probably Atty thou
sand people"
What Provision Should BE Made
for Superannuated Postoffice EN-
/ ployes?' was the subject of a paper
! TO have been read Thursday morn
ing by Mr.. Robert II. Bryson. post
master OF Indianapolis. Mr. Bryson
was called home on account of the
death of his brother. In view of this
| the paper was read Wednesday by
Mr.. Robert E. Woods. postmaster OF
Louisville. KY. 1t urged the associa-
ton to take action in recommending
/ suitable legislation to pension aged
postotfice employees.
Unbelievable Mail.
Mr. E. X. Sizer, postmaster of Lin
4 coin Neb,, read a paper on "Whar
Should Be the Office System in Treat
Ing Unbelievable Second Glass Mat
] ter" He dealt with the subject from
the standpoint Of the vast accumula.
ton of newspapers and periodicals
addressed to parties who cannot be
found.
Certain sections of the postal rexu-
lations were pointed out by the speak
er in order to show where and how
the mail in question may be properly
handled without swapping any post
office
Following luncheon the afternoon
session opened at 2 O'clock
What Safeguards Should Be Pro-
Nided in the Absence of the Advice to
! Guard Against Raising Money Or
ders =? was the subject of two inter
esting papers by Mr. A w. Willis.
of Nashville, Tenn, and Mr.. E. J.
Stackpole, of Harrisburg. Pa
Paper by MIR. Mansfield
Mr.. l.. {. Mansfield. postmaster of
Boston, at Tuesday afternoons session
read a paper of special rather than
general interest 1t touched on the
workings OF the efficiency record sys-
tenn for rating the work Of clerks and
carriers with the View of advancing
them to higher grades. Mr.. w. Hall
Harris, postmaster of Baltimore, also
talked along these lines.
! Forty Eight Hour Law.
The forty eight hour law came In
for lengthy discussion. led by Mr..
ID. T. Gerow. postmaster of Jackson
Vile. He maintained that 1t is a great
Improvement over the eight hour law,
This law provides that man NAV
work more than eight hours a day.
provided he does not exceed forty
eight hours.
Enjoyed Entertainment.
Polk Miller and his negro quar-
tette AFFORDED amusement for the
postmasters Tuesday night. This was
| preceded by an informal reception
held in the parors OF the Jefferson.
Quarterly Meeting for York Circuit.
| Especial to The Richmond virginian.)