The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-05-31
BOLSTERED IT UP
That Is Charge Against Hitch
cocks Postal Showing.
Democrat Report Shows Def
cheney of $75O,OOO.

Washington. May POSTMASTER
the report of a special investigation
into fiscal affairs of the postal SER
vice, charging that during former
Postmaster General Hitchcock's ad-
ministration the service did not be-
come self supporting as was often as
serted, but that in 1911 there actual
ly was a deficiency of more than
$750,0OO.
The report charges that "An ap-
parent surplus was attained by unjus-
t1fia BILE methods of bookkeeping" and
that the efficiency and morale of the
postal service were sacrificed to a
''ruthlessly enforced policy of false
economy; that a showing of self
maintenance might be made. The re-
port attributes to that alleged condf-
ton complaints against the service.
Mr.. Hitchcock during his administra-
ton and in his reports claimed that
in the year 1909 deficiency of ap-
proximately $17,0OO,OO0 had entirely
been eliminated and that in the fiscal
year 1911 a surplus of more than
100000 was attained
The report of survey" made at the
direction of Mr.. Burleson says at no
time has there been a legitimate sur
plus in postal revenue since 1888 and
that the postoffice department under
Mr.. Hitchcock's administration in 1911
actually was under deficit of more
than $750,0O0. In that connection
the report says:
Reports That Deceived.
1T is pointed out by the commits
sion that the published financial re-
ports of the department stated the
revenues and the cost of the services
are on dissimilar and therefore in
comparable bases. Revenues of the
postal service are almost entirely col
lected in cash, and consequently re-
late properly to the fiscal year for
which the report is made. But the
commission finds it has been the prac-
tice to compare these only with pay
ment actually made during the fiscal
year, regardless of obligations in
CURED in that year, but not to be paid
until succeeding years.
Just before President Wilson took
office, the report says, Mr.. Hitchcock
filled long standing vacancies, made
postponed promotions and assumed
commitments to fixed charges for long
terms in such way ''as to saddle the
new administration with greatly in
creased expenses during months if not
years to come. More than one hum
dred rural mail routes were authorized
in three days"
Lowered the Standard.
The fiscal statement of the postal
service for 1912 purported to show a
uelCil VI 91'too'o1o, puI Ifat sum, the
investigators say, was understated by
500, 900. Delay of promotions and filing
of vacancies that Iapsed salaries
might be returned to The treasury, the
report says, caused dissa tisfaction
employees and lowered the
st 1ndard of their efficiency. Employees
were transferred from other depart
ments to the post service it is charged
at salaries in excess of the entrance
grade and many certifications to fhe
civil service committee that sucn
position coul. not be filled by promo
ton were unjustified. Daniel Q.
Roper, Joseph Steward A. NJ. Dockery
James I. Blakesley, the four assistant
postma sters general and Merrill Q.
Chance, chief clerk of the department
made the survey and signed the re-
port