The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1913-12-18

/ wa EAAS NL G"AN
postal service is now for the hrst tim
since 1883 self-supporting."
AS to his general financial policy
Postmaster General Burleson says:
"The dominant policy of the present
administration will be to conduct the
postal service for the convenience OF
the public and not for profit. It's con-
trolling purpose will be to promote ef~
ficiency by the complete STANDARDIZED
ton Of the service, which will be at
tanned by harmonizing equipment, ad-
justing the personnel, and securing the
greatest possible cooperation In ev-
cry quarter.
THE prime consideration in perfect
ing the personnel Of the postal service
shall be to recognize efficiency, and to
eliminate craftsmanship. In the extern"
sion of service and in the imposition
Of charges the government must be
guided not by the consideration Of
profit but by the needs of the people,
who have a right to expect the most
efficient postal service administered in
the most economical manner possible,
and made available to them at rates
involving, for the service as a whole,
no element Of taxation. This service
should be extended. with due regard
for the ~exigencies of public revenue
wherever it's benefits, commercial n
social, warrant the expenditure neces-
sary, Irrespective of whether or not
the revenue from each extension will
defray the cost thereof"
Notable recommendations to con-
gress for the enactment Of additional
legislation to facilitate and extend the
operations of the postal service are
made. Among the more important,
are the following:
THAT the postOfice department be
given exclusive jurisdiction over the
selection Of the sites for public build
ings to be used wholly for postofice
purposes, and joint authority with the
secretary Of the treasury in the selec-
ton Of sites for federal buildings to
be used jointly by the postal and other
branches of the government service.
ITO amend existing law in order to
allow $4,000 indemnity for accidental
death of n officer or employe of
one veal as the result of injuries sus-
tanned in the service in the line of
duty. Provision Is also made for leave
with full pay for g. period of one year
for injuries sustained in the line of
duty and then at half pay for not Eek
ceeding one year additional. This Is
an important recommendation for the
reason that the existing law applies
only to railway postal clerks, sea post
ClSI hS dllu pOSLOlllC6 11SpSCIOI5s
THE elimination Of surety bonds
now required of postal officers and en-
ployes and the substitution Of a guar
anty FUND established and maintained
by assessments prescribed by the post
master general.
ITO authorize the postmaster gener-
al to contract for experimental aerial
mail service. for which an estimate
Of $4,000 has been submitted.
ITO permit the postmaster genera,
to transfer clerks from postoffices Of
the first and second classes to the rail
way mail service al salaries higher
than the entrance salary in the rail
way mail service. The purpose Of this
legislation Is to bring about an inter
changeable personnel between the
railway mail service and the postof.
flee service, with a view to a more eff.
fective utilization Of the entire force
Of postal employees and to afford bet
ter opportunities for the advancement
Of worthy Inc efficient clerks in post.
offices.
ITO extend the provisions Of exist.
ing law sc as to provide substitutes
for railway postal clerks who are alb
sent with pay on account of sickness
the expense of employing such substi-
tute to be borne by the government in.
! stead of by the clerk.
ITO authorize the issuance of posta
money orders payable at any none!
, order office. =
"To authorize the removal Of tn,
limitation on the amour Of posta
savings deposits with the proviso tina
! interest shall not be paid on NOR
, than $1,000. This will permit posta
savings depositors to deposit an.
, amount"
: The report indicates that the growtl
of the parcel post business has beel
phenomenal. The experience game
In the operation Of the system unde
the revised rates and weights ha
shown that a further reduction o
t rates and increase Of weight limit i
Justified" says the postmaster genera
I "Tt is believed that the parcel pos
y should be made eventually to serv
u the people as fully and completely q
possible without interfering with tn
. efficient conduct of the postal service
Ii and that changes in the regulation
. that will have the effect of increasin
y the volume Of parcel post mai shout
. be made gradually and only after e
. perience, and investigation hav show
that they may be put into effect with
out loss or detriment to the service.
y In connection with what is referre
to as the "prodigious growth" Of tn
y parcel post service, particularly, M
y Burleson discusses additional com
. p%ensation to the railroads for carryin
the mails. He says that data Is bein
secured by the department which wi
enable him to lay before congress at
later date his conclusions " as to Wha
will be just and adequate compensa
ton for all services which the rail
- roads have rendered or will be Gale
- upon to render the government"
,s It is pointed out that the mailing
Of newspapers and periodicals as sec
ond class matter at the l cent-a-poun
rate and free in the county of publ
cation, "for the first time in the his
tory Of the postal service exceeded
billion pounds during the last fscs
year"
"a In connection with the transports
ton of magazines M other bulk
h second class matter by fast freigh
" instead Of the regular mail routes, tn
postmaster general expresses earnest
- " the hope that congress will re
i move the prohibition against the eS
tension Of this system of handlin
second class matter and enable tn
department to apply it where foun
practicable" .-
It is the announced purpose Of M:
y Burleson not to encourage the extern
ia