Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1911-02-05
20
Postmaster General Starts
Investigation Of the
Conditions
Some Of the Men Higher up
May be Brought into
the Case
(Ry Associated Press.)

Washington, D. c., Feb. "A con-
dition of inefficiency, insubordination
and mismanagement have been de-
veloped in the operation Of the rail-
WY mail service that is likely to
result in an upheaval in and perhaps
in the reorganization Of the entire
service. Postmaster General Hitch
cock is thoroughly incensed over the
situation as it has been disclosed and
he makes no cOncealment OF his In
dignation. For q considerable time
he has been conducting personal In
vestigation in the operation of the
railway mail service. His inquiry
is not concluded yet, but facts thus
far developed indicate plainly. that its
results are likely to be drastic.
Rumors reached Washington today
from several points that changes in
officers of the railway mail service
were imminent and indeed 1t was re-
ported that the designations of Sec
ond Assistant Postmaster General
Joseph Stewart and Chief Of Railway
Mail Service Alexander Grant has
been submitted to Postmaster General
Hitchcock. 1t can be said on the
authority of Hitchcock himself that
neither of these officials have re.
signed and that their designations
have not been called for. Hitchcock
tonight expressed hiinself % entirely
satisfied with the administration Of
the Office OF second assistant and by
Stewart for whom personally, and
officially he entertains q high regard
but he expressed himself as much
dissatisfied with the management OF
the railway mall service, particularly
as respects the personnel OF the serv'
ice.
His investigation here disclosed the
fact that orders had been issued by
subordinate officers Of the service
placing upon employees unreasonable
burdens, in some instances, humfliat-
ing burdens. These orders were
promulgated in the name of the post
master general, although he knew
nothing of them until his investiga.
ton brought them to lignt. Orders
were issued, too, Hitchcock points out
Notwithstanding the fact that l had
issued general instructions that In
carrying out of proposed improve
ments in the service no additional
burdens should be placed upon EN-
ployees."
Hitchcock said that the only change
in the status of the railway mail
clerks was caused by an effort of the
department to effect reasonable ad-
iustment of the hours of service so
as to equalize hours throughout the
country. Through the operation OF
this system the hours Of service of
some clerks were slightly Increased
while those of others were reduced.
The general purpose was to have
maximum of employment not to ex'
coed six and a half hours a day. In
the working out of this system Hitch
cock said, the departments efforts
had been to obtain through congress
improved physical and financial work
ing conditions while striving to keep
the service apace with the develop
ment of the country.
The investigation instituted by
Hitchcock probably will not be con-
cluded for some days. 1t is not pos
sible to foretell accurately the pre-
else result but thorough overhauling
of executive officials of the railway
mail service is possible if not en-
nient.