The Evening standard. [volume] (Ogden City, Utah) 1910-1913, 1910-09-19
HITCHCOCK VISITS
IN SALT LAKE

SAIL LAKE, sept lS.-FoStmaSteT
General Frank H Hitchcock stopped
over In Salt Lake for a few hours
yesterday afternoon on his way east
after a three weeks vacation spent
in New Mexico, Arizona and Califor
MIA
His stay in Salt Lake was confined
10 a visit 10 the local postoffice, where
he shook hands With the boys and
had short visit with Postmaster Ar
thur l.. Thomas.
Before leaving Mr.. Hitchcock found
time to say something about the com
ing self-support basis OF the postoffice
department and the postal savings
banks, two hobbies of the postmaster
general He spoke In glowing terms
of the work of the Salt Lake postof-
flee. and also paid high tribute TO
Postmaster Thomas He left for the
east over the Denver G. Rio Grande
at 7:1o O'Clock last evening
My one ambition. said the post
master general, IS to sec the post
office department on a self-support-
ing basis, BY this ] do not mean
thar the service OF the department
must necessarily be cUrtalled: instead
cf this the service must be extended
throughout tho country, as my recent
trip through the west has proved be-
yond a doubt The deficit that has
hung over the postal department must
be wiped out by the Installation of
more and stricter business methods
and principles, and the cutting down
or enormous expenditures. This year
The deficit of She department has been
cut Si1.500.000. BY this means next
wear j hope 10 sec the remaining def-
icit OF S11,500,000 wiped out After
psrtment on paying basis.
"A number OF postoffices in each
state VIII he equipped for the postal
savings system during the coming
winter The first class postofflces
VIII not be equipped until later, as II
Is preferred TO take up the work at
the bottom, commencing with the.
smaller towns, where It is most need.
ed, and gradually perfecting the sys.
ten as we work up 10 the larger Of
flces."
Asked regarding the service OF the
Salt Lake office, Mr. Hitchcock said
III Is fine, and it always Is in that
condition. With Postmaster Thomas
at the head it is one OF the greatest
helps that the department at Wash
ingion has Mr.. Thomas Is one OF
The most able and eff Client postmas.
tors In the country. and suggestions
by him TO the general depart.
ment carry great weight Mr.. Thom-
as has on numerous occasions offered
rt.0 -.
ton department
The plan inaugurated during the
last few years of holding an annual
rostmasters' convention in some part
oi the state is accomplishing wonders
Ter the good OF the department Un-
der the system it is possible Tor the
postmasters OF the state 10 get 10.
Getber once every year for discussion
OF the various topics tending to i'm.
prove the efficiency OF the depart.
ment."
The political outlook, Well. real
~, | must refuse TO discuss the sub.
ject at the present time. You may
say that politely but firmly refused
10 enter into a discussion OF the DO.
litical situation
The postmaster general left on
Denver c Rio Gran;e train No. for
the east. Mr. Hitchcock expects to
arrive in Washington some time dur.
log the coming week He Will prob,
'oly stop at some OF the larger post
oiilceS on the way for snort visits.
This is the seventeenth annual
western trip Of the postmaster gen
eral. and his fourth visit TO Salt
Lake. Much OF his time this summer
as in other summers has been spent
In long horseback rides. this being
one of his fayorite means of recre-
alton. He likes the west and for that
reason always spends his vacations
in the western states For the last
seventeen years he has taken a few
weelSs vacation each summer to tour
the west.