Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-02-05
HITCHCOCK IS ANGRY SEES CHANGE AHEAD'
Incensed Over Conditions in Senator Cummns Predicts
the Railway Mail Service. New Form OF Government.
HAS BEEN INVESTIGATING PEOPLE NEED INITIATIVE
Developed Indicate That Re- own Lauds Interstate Commerce
suits May Be Drastic. Commission in Speech
SOME UNF0UNDED RUMoRs FLAYS DISHONEST MAGNATES
erals Name Of Which He Regulating
Nothing. Railroad Rates
Incensed Over Conditions in
the Railway Mail Service.
HAS BEEN INVESTIGATING
Facts Developed Indicate That Re.
suits May Be Drastic.
SOME UNF0UNDED RUMoRS
Orders Issued in Postmaster Gen.
erals Name of Which He
Knew Nothing.

A condition Of inefficiency. insubordina.
veloped in the operation of the railway
mail service that is likely to result in an
upheaval in the service and perhaps in
! It's reorganization.
Postmaster General Hitchcock is
thoroughly incensed over the situation as
. IT has been disclosed. and he makes no
ceneealment of his indignation.
For q considerable time he has been
conducting a personal investigation into
the operation of the railway mail sery-
ice. His inquiry is not ended yet but
the facts thus far developed indicate
plainly that its results are likely to be
drastic.
Rumors reached Washington yesterday
from several points that changes in
prominent officers Of the railway mail
service were imminent; indeed, it was re-
ported that designations Of the second
assistant postmaster general, Joseph
Stewart, and the chief Of the railway
mail service, Alexander Grant, had been
submitted to Postmaster General Hitch
cock.
1t can be said. on authority Of Mr.
Hitchcock himself, that neither one Of
resignations have not been called for.
Mr.. Hitchcock last night expressed him
self as entirely satisfied with the admin
istrauon of the office OF second assistant
by Mr.. Stewart, for whom, personally
and officially, he entertains a high re-
gard; but he expressed himself as much
dissatisfied with the management of the
railway mail service, particularly as re-
spects the personnel Of the service.
g.. Orders Of subordinates.
His investigation, he indicated, had dis
closed the fact that orders had been is
sued by subordinate officers OF the serv-
ice. placing upon the employees unreason-
able burdens, in some instances humiliat-
ing burdens. These orders were promul-
gated in the name of the Postmaster Cen
eral. although he knew nothing about
them until his investigation brought them
to light.
The orders were issued, too. Mr. Hitch
cock pointed ot,t. Notwithstanding the
fact that had issued general instruc-
lions that. In the carrying out OF pro-
posed improvements In the service, no
additional burdens should be placed upon
the employees. as believed that i'm the
development OF our efficiency system the
hearty good will OF the employees was
absolutely necessary
Readjustment Of Hours.
Mr.. 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 read
justment of hours of service. so as to
eaualize the hours throughout the coun-
try: Through the operation of this sys-
tenn the hours OF service of some clerks
were slightly increased. while those of
others were reduced. The general pur-
pose was to have the Maximum of cm-
ployment not to exceed six and half
hours a day. In the working out of
this system, Mr.. Hitchcock suggested
the railway mail clerks had not been
denoted and the service in no respects
had been curtailed: on the contrary. the
department efforts had been to obtain.
through Congress, improved physical and
financial working conditions while striv-
ing to keep the service apace with the
development of the country.
The investigation instituted by Mr..
Hitchcock probably will not be concluded
for some days. 1t Is not possible to
foretell accurately the precise results,
but thorough overhauling of executive
officials of the railway mail service is
probable. IL not imminent.