New-York tribune., 1910-11-01
POSTAL RATE CHANGES
President to Urge on Congress
Higher Charges for Magazines.
FOR 0NE-CENT LETTERS
Plan, It Is Hoped, Will Make the
Postoffice Department Self
Supporting.
Iron The Tribune Bureau.

two Congress VIII solve the question OF
the proper rate Of postage 70 be paid for
the transportation OF magazines and mis-
cellaueous periodicals. He is anxious that
81 the earliest possible date there shall be
q reduction from 2 cents TO cent an ounce
In the -ste on first class matter. but he
realizes this date must be postponed until
Congress takes hold in practical way of
the problem involved In the transportation
~ second class matter.
In mis- message TO Congress last Decem-
Der the President discussed this subject
briefly and said that the Postoffice deficit
IVES largely caused by the low rate Of one
rent 2 pound charged for the trans
pcrtation Of magazines and other periodi-
Gals. Mr.. Taft pointed out that while the
average distance over which newspapers
are delivered 10 their consumers Is Z9l
miles the average haul OF magazines Is
Iczl miles and Of miscellaneous period
lcsis ll2s miles.
In his message this wear Mr.. Taft VIII
renew his recommendation that something
he done toward read1usting the postal rates
He has been advised that il is perfectly
feasible 10 provide plan whereby the
magazines shall pay the usual second class
rste on all straight reading matter and
higher rate on that part of the publication
devoted 70 advertisements.
Aside from his desire TO provide lower
postal rate for letters at the earliest posi-
hIe Gate. Presidwent Taft is interested IN
this general subject because il is IN line
with one Of his pet plans, namely, ecou-
cmy IN expenditures. He feels that the
postotice Department should pay its own
usy and should adjust its transportation
charges so as 10 wipe out the deficit In
hp
President is highly pleased with the work
Of Postmaster General Hitchcock in re-
auoans the Postoftce deficit by sl,Soo'cS
Taft and Hitchcock in Accord
Mr.. Hitchcock kept the President advised
rexarding every important step IN MS
schsrne 10 make the department seIt-Sup-
rortins. and the fact that such big saw
ing was made in expenditures without the
rurtsilroent Of postal facilities is an achieNe-
-,ent which has strengthened the bond
q. rersonsI ano official friendship between
the President and Mr.. Hitchcock It IS
,,-arestins 70 bear in mind this fact in view
o- the persistence of the rurloT that
Nr. Hitchcock IS going 20 leave tho Caol-
pe- that he and Nr. Taft are not IN ac-
oo-5 that the Postmaster General no long
or eniovs his political prestige at the White
House. etc.
Another recommendation in the Presl-
,en4,s forthcoming message will be that
Congress provide means for placing second
and third class posunasters within
classified service similar 10 that now COW
erins fourth class postmasters. The Presi-
cent feels that one Of the important Gle
r,Anr. IN making the Postofice Department
eelf-supporting IS the elimination Of poll
tics IN the selection Of postmasters-
In rhis connection it may be said that II
the President had his way he would pro
vide a sort % merit system for the selec-
ricn Of practically 81 federal offlceholders
outside of Washington Mr.. Taft appreci-
=tes he fact that under the present system
- appointing collectors Of internal revenue.
Collectors Of customs, etc, upon the recon-
Trendation cf Senator'S, II often happens
tnar exceptionally competent men are
named He feels. however. that the in
ceutive 10 perform active service and 10
conduct the business Of the government on
q strictly business basis would be wonder
fully promoted by the complete elimination
Of -olitics in the selection of these officials.
It Will be remembered that one Of Mr..
Taft's first political Offices was that OF
Collector oT Internal Revenue for the First
District Of Ohio. He resigned this place
after q short service but he held il long
enough 10 have thoroughly impressed on
rts mind the fact that the government
could make g substantial saving in the ad-
rnirastration of the office If the law did not
urovfee that the nomination Of collector
u should be confirmed by the Senate
For Department Reoreanizations.
On his Panama trip the President Will
work out his recommendation regarding
Tire government departments in Washing
ton and the application Of modern business
rnethods IN their administration. AS is
well known. this is one of Mr.. Taft's hob
hIee. and be is now going TO give the sub
sect special study
The report thst Dr. Frederick A Cleve-
land Director of the Bureau Of Municipal
Research OF New York. is at the head of
: bureau charged with responsibility for
installing a general plan for promoting
economy and efficiency in the various de-
partrents, is misleading. Mr. Taft has
taken this task upon his own shoulders.
and when the necessary initial steps are
taken ne and his Cabinet officers wifl de-
vice WAYS and means for reducing the cost
and increasing the efficiency Of administra-
tior A large part Of the detail will rest
with Charles y. Norton, secretary 10 the
President, in whose ability for what may
be called system MI. Iaft mas great
confidence.
At the present time the main task con-
fronting the President is the adoption Of
plan whereby there may be a compare
tive study Of costs. Mr. Taft regards this
as the necessary starting point IN the re-
organization Of the bureaus and depart
rnents. the avoidance OF duplication. and
the treatment OF the individual employe.
TJe desires 20 find out, for instance, what
tt costs the Treasury Department to write
go letters a day and what the cost of the
same work is in the Interior Depa rtment.
II the cost Is greater in one department
than in another the Cabinet officer charged
with responsibility for that department will
have basis on which 70 work in pursuing
the elusive dollar which is being wasted
He viii be able 70 determine whether the
increased cost IS due 20 lack Of efficiency
in the stenographers employed or TO sone
other cause. IN the development Of the
general scheme for the ascertainment OF
comparative costs DR.. Cleveland is advis-
ing with experts 10 the various depart
roente.
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