The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-06-09
HITCHCoCK's SUCCESS.

Frank Harris Hitchcock, the post
master general, is receiving pretty
| general commentator these days, as
he should. for the magnificent show
ing he has made in the administration
of the affairs of the postal service.
In some few and prejudiced quarters
there Is a disposition to deprive Mr..
Hitchcock of all the credit due him
in this particular by insisting that
much of the saving that has been ac-
compiished in the management of the
postoffice department has been
brought about by the efforts of 9TH
ers. For instance, it has been
urged that much of the saving which
has wiped out the postal deficit has
resulted from the work of Congress-
man Murdoch in successfully demand
ing reform in the matter of weigh
ing the mails No one will deny
that Congressman Murdock's efforts
in this direction were a large public
service. But the money that has
been saved by the Murdoch reform
is only a small portion of the saving
that Postmaster General Hitchcock
has effected.
When he assumed the duties of Of
flee two years ago. he faced a de-
ficit for year Of some $4,000, 900,
the largest in the history of the de-
partment. He has succeeded in
wiping that out entirely and the sec
ond years operation of the depart
ment under his direction shows an
actual surplus. The deficit has been
wiped out, too, without curtailing the
postal facilities. Not only that, but
the postal service has been extended
materially during the past two years,
and In that period the salaries of
postal employees have been increased
by $11,70e,o71. The deficit has been
wiped out by introducing business
methods into the department and
extending the service along profitable
lines. The transportation of mail
from large cities has been CONSOLE
dated. In other words, one mail
pouch does the work that it formerly
took three and four and more to do.
A new accounting system has been
established whereby it is unnecessary
to keep on hand a large surplus of |
many millions of dollars for the con-
duct of the department And Mr.. |
Hitchcock is big enough to give credit |
for the accomplishing of these re-
forms to suggestions he has asked for
ana received from pOStmaSterS /
throughout the country and the many
postal experts in the employ of the de-
partment.
With the postal service being made
to pay its way and also rolling up a |
surplus it can be enlarged and made
more useful to the people. The way
Is surely paved now for the establish
ment of an unlimited parcels post sys-
tenn, crying need. 1t will prove to
be a valuable weapon in bringing the
express companies to time in the
matter of rates. Penny postage is al
so a possibility. And incidentally,
the surplus in the postoffice depart
nent would appear to make it un-
necessary to indulge in any more talk
IN the necessity of increasing the pos
al rates on second class mail matter.
Mr.. Hitchcock may be a nifty poll
ician, but he has also proven himself
% be a most capable and business II
ike administrator of the largest and
most complex department of the feder-
Il government. President Taft acted
wisely in appointing him to this post
ind the country is to be congratu-
ated that it has finally been given a
general who measures up
% the job.