The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-06-01
Only Made to Seem So by
Hitchcock's Juggled
Figures.
HE HAD DEFICIT
AND NOT SURPLUS
Postmaster Burleson Shows How
His Predecessor Made Record
at Expense of Department and
Through Irregular Book
kecping-Report Is
Given to Public.

Washington. May 31-Postmaster-
General Burleson to day made public
the report of a special investigation
into fiscal affairs of the postal service.
charging that during former Postmas-
ter-General Hltchcock's administration
the service did not become self-sup-
porting, as was often asserted. but
that in 1911 there actually was a deficit
OF more than $4,000.
The report charges that an "appar-
snt surplus was attracted by unjustifi-
able methods OF bookkeeping" and
that the efficiency and morale OF the
postal service were sacrificed to a
"ruthlessly enforced policy of false
economy" that showing of self
maintenance might be made The re-
port attributes TO that alleged condi-
ton complaints against the service
Dir. Hitchcock. during his admins
tration and In his reports. claimed that
in the year 1903 a deficit Of approx
mately sl7,500.060 had entirely been
eliminated and that In the fiscal year
was attained
No Legitimate Surplus.
The report of the survey made at
the direction of Mr.. Burleson. SAYS that
at no time has there been legitima te
surplus In postal revenues since 1881.
and that the i'ost-Ofice Department..
under Mr.. Hitchccck's administration
In 1911. actually was under deficit OF
more than $4,000. In tat connec-
ton the report SAYS:
IT is pointed out by the committee
mat the published reports of depart
ment state the revenues and the cost of
the service on dissinilar and therefore
incoH parable baEcs. Revenues of the
postal service are almost entirely col
lectcd in cash. and consequently relate
properly to the fiscal year for which
the report is made Blu; the commit
a. n hos
compare theae only with payments ac-
tually made during the fiscal year. re-
Eardlcss OF obligations incurred in that
year. but not TO be paid until succeed
ing years.
Just before President Wilson took
ONCE. the report says. Mr.. Hitchcock
hlied 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 the greatly
increased expense during months, if
rural mail routes were authorized in
three DAYS"
The financial statement Of the postal
service for 1912 purported to show n
deficit of Sl.TS5.523, but that sum. the
investigators say. was understated by
nearly 100000.
Questionable Methods
Delay OF promotions and filling OF
vacancies. that lapsed salaries might
be returned To the Treasury, the report
says. caused dissatisfaction among
employees and lowered the standard OF
their efficiency Employees were trans
ferred from other departments to the
postal service. IL is charged, at salaries
in excess OF the entrance grade, and
many certifications to the civil service
show that such positions could not be
filled by promotions. were unjustihed"
Daniel G. Roper. Joseph Stewart, A.
NJ. Dockery, James J. Blakeslee. the four
Assistant Postma sters General and
Merritt o. Chance, chief clerk of the
department. made the Survey" and
signed the report.