The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-04-11
THEY MUST WORK
Hereafter POStmaSterS Will
Attend to Their Duties.
Statement From Department to
the State Journal.
BRISTOW OPPOSES FREE SUGA
Kansan Says He VIII Vote for
Reduction Only.
Other Items of Interest From
National Capital.
3RISTOW OPPOSES FREE SUGA

Washington, D. c., April 11.-If POST
master General Burleson has his way
the spectacle of a postmaster in some
presidential offices giving his duties
perfunctory supervision will be a thing
of the past.
Hereafter postmasterS in these larger
offices are to be held strictly account
able for the time and personal atten-
ton they give their official duties.
Postma ster General Burleson an
posed not merely to discourage, but to
stamp out, the practice said to be fol-
lowed by many first and second class
postmaSterS of imposing a considerable
part of their duties upon subordinates
in order to utilize the time for personal
ends.
Furthermore, the postmaster general,
in making recommendations for ap-
pointments to these offices, will re-
quire, in addition to the usual quail
ficatiOns, an assurance from the appli-
cant that his whole business time will
be devoted to the duties of the position.
The following statement was made
to the Topeka State Journal by an Of
fetal of the department:
Postmaster General Burleson has
presidential grade would be held to
strict accountability in the matter of
time and personal attention that they
give to their respective offices.
From Information received by him,
it appears that in some quarters a
practice has crept in of securing an
appointment as postmaster and OF
then imposing a considerable portion of
the duties upon subordinates in order
to utilize the time for personal ends
Mr.. Burleson proposes not merely to
discourage this but to stamp it out. It
will be the policy of the administration
to require, in all cases, conscientious
and efficient service from its officers
and employees.
CLERKS and carriers are required by
law to serve eight hours daily and Mr..
Burleson sees no reason why the post
master, who is the highest paid en-
ployee in the office, should not give at
least an equivalent in time and effort.
The postmaster is selected for the
position which he holds because Of his
presumed superior ability. Therefore,
it Is not fair to the government that he
ifications which should be placed at
its disposal 1t is believed that IL all
postmaSters, instead of leaving their
proper duties to subordinates. honestly
devoted pro. ar amount of time to
the personal supervision and direction
of the work, not only would the serv-
ice gain in efficiency, but considerable |
economy would be effected in a better |
distribution of duties and consequent |
reduction in clerical force.
fees of the presidential grade. the de- |
partment will require hereafter in ad- |
dition to the usual qualifications with |
respect to ability, character, and ex- |
perience, an assurance from the ap-
pointee that his whole business time 1
will be devoted to the duties of the /
position to witch he is appointed"
Now that Uncle" Joe has gone back |
to Danville. after having sung swan |
songs galore and after having become |
firmly Embedded in the minds of the |
populace as a cigar smoker, the mar |
BILE bust in the speakers lobby Of the |
house of representatives is doing it's |
best to keep up the Cannon nicotine |
reputation. That bust is an elegant |
piece of work-a speaking likeness, as |
everyone of the tourists say-and |
there is a touch of cunning in the |
artists work which has retained in
wonderful manner much of Uncle
Joe's actual facial mannerism.