Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-12-06
POST OFFICE DEPART
MENT.

vision for the establishment of savings
banks by the Post.Offlce Department OF
this government, by which. under the
general control Of trustees, consisting OF
the Postmaster-General,t the Secretary OF
the Treasury and the AttorneySGenerai
the system could be begun in few cities
and towns and enlarged TO cover within
its operations as many cities and
towns and as large part OF the
country as seemed wise. The initiation
and establishment OF such a system has
required great deal of study on the
part Of the experts In the Post-Ofice and
Treasury departments, but a system has
now been devised which is believed to be
more economical and simpler in Its oper-
alton than any similar system abroad.
Arrangements have been perfected SO
that savings banks will be opened IN
some cities and towns on the LIST or Janu-
ary and there will be q gradual extern
sion of the benefits OF the plan to the
rest of the country.
Wiping Out Of Postal Deficit.
As 1 have said, the Post-Onice Depart
1 am glad to note the fact that under Its
present management principles of busi-
ness economy and efficiency are being ape
piled. For many years there has been
deficit in the operations Of the Post-Ohice
Department which has been met by APP
preparations from the Treasury. The ap-
preparation estimated for last year from
the Treasury over and above the receipts
of the department was 17,5OO.OO. am
glad to record the fact that OF that $l7,-
100000 estimated for, $1l.5OOOOo were
saved and returned to the Treasury.
The personal efforts Of the Postmaster
General secured the effective cooperation
Of the thousands OF postmasters ana otner
postal officers throughout the country IN
carrying out his plans OF reorean1au on
and retrenchment. 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 expected
to earn. 1t Is gratifying to report that
the reduction IN the deficit has been ac-
complished without any curtafiment on
postal facilities. On the contrary, the
ing the year in all its branches. A prin-
chile which the Postmaster-General has
recommended and sought to have en-
forced In respect to all appointments mas
been that those appointees who have
rendered good service should be reap,
pointed. This has greatly strengthened
the interest Of postmasters throughout
the country In maintaining emciency and
economy In their Offices. because they
believed generally that this would secure
4OI kICAu q AAS tAASA sSA'~AS'
Classified Service Extension.
Upon the recommendation Of the Post
master-General, have included in the
classified service all assistant post
masters, and 1 believe that this giving a
secure tenure to those who are the most
important subordinates OF postmasters
will add much to the efficiency OF their
offices and an economical administration.
A large number Of the fourth-class post
masters are now in the CLASSIFIED service.
think 1t would be wise to put In the
classified service the first, second ana
cal to do this than to classify the fourth
class postmasters, for tha reason that the
fourth-ciass post Offices are tnvariaDly
small, and the postmasters are necessarily
men who must combine some other Dust
ness with the postmastership. whereas
the first, second and third class post
masters are paid q sufficient amount to
justify the requirement that they shall
have no other business and that they
shall devote their attention to their post
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
that this is inviting from the Senate q
concession in respect to its quasi execu-
tive power that IL considerable, but
believe it to be in the interest OF good
administration and efficiency Of service.
To make this change would take the post
masters out OF politics: would relieve
Congressman who are now burdened with
the necessity of making recommended ons
for these places OF q responsibility that
must be irksome and can create nothing
but trouble: and 1t would result In Sc
curing from postmasters greater atten-
ton to business, greater fidelity and con-
sequentiy greater economy and efhciency
in the post Offices which they conduct.
The Franking Privilege.
The unrestricted manner in which the
franking privilege il now being used BY
the several federal services and by Con-
sress has laid 1t open to serious abuses,