Evening star., 1912-01-05
GLAD TO GET HELP
Removal of Post Offices From
Politics PIeaseS Hitchcock.
POLICY LONG ADVOCATED
Representative Norris Declaration
Meets With Hearty Approval Of
the Postmaster General.

II am extremely gratified to learn that
Representative George w. Norris will lend
his support to this administration in its
endeavors TO remove the postal service
entirely from the field of politics" said
Postmaster General Hitchcock today. The
Postmaster General was referring at the
time especially to II G account OF Mr.. Nor
ris' intentions as published in The Star
yesterday.
Ever since i have been connected with
the department" said Mr.. Hitchcock. 81
have been convinced that this greatest
of government services, which affects not
only the business interests of the coun-
try, but it's homes and every phase of its
. life. should be conducted along up-to-
date business lines and be absolutely
divorced from politics.
In my annual report last year / stat
ed: Although recent reforms have
greatly increased the efficiency of the
postal service, 1t Is apparent that the
highest degree of effectiveness in the
conduct of this tremendous business es-
tablishment cannot be attained while the
thousands Of postmasters, on whose faith
fulness so much depends. continue to he
political appOinteeS. The entire postal
service should be taken out Of politics.
Results Of Presidents Order.
81 also referred to the great good ef-
fected by the order of the President,
based on the recommendation Of the de-
partment. which classified all assistant
postmasters. and said 1t was an important
step i'm the right direction. My report
continues: As still more important re-
form presidential postmasters of all
grades. from the first class to the third.
should be placed in the classified service
!" This action. which is earnestly recon-
mended. my report slater, would un-
queStionably result in a still better stand
ard of service. The policy the depart
reappointing presidential postmasters
with exceptionally good records has
shown in a striking way the advantage
OF having our post offices managed by
experienced officers.
In the same report 1t was stated
continued Mr.. Hitchcock. that IL such
mtn could be placed in the classified serv-
ice they could be continued In office as
long as they performed their duties salts
fattorily and that whenever va ancies oc-
CURED they could be filed by the promo
ton of subordinate officers. thus insur-
ing constant management by men
trained in the postal business.
That" continued the Postmaster Gen.
eral. lis the position taaen by this de-
partment today. and il is very gratifying
10 find men who have 1t In their power to
bring about such result coinciding with
our views.
Stimulates Efficiency.
''The report of the Postmaster General
for the fiscal year which ended June y
last. he added. referring to the classi-
hcation of assistant postmasters, which
has already been provided for. and made
as rapidly as possible. states that the ef-
feet of the classification has been to slim
uiate these officers in the performance o
their duties. and their greater efficiency
has had marked effect on the conduct
of the postal service"
The fact that classified employees in
the lower grades are now eligible for pro.
motion To the posit on of assistant post
master has rendered ther appointment
more attractive, the result being a higher
class of competitors In the examinations
for post Office cleras and even for letter
carriers
My last report repeats that the con-
siderations which applied to the c assifi.
cation of assistant postmasters apply
with equal force To the postmastersh
tself A fun measure of efficiency in tn
conduct of the postal service cannot he
expected so long as the postmasters are
subject 10 polit cal control.
hn nsco rAS--.