Evening star., 1914-02-11
POSTMASTER MERRITT RESIGNS
Administration of Office Praised by
the Postmaster General.

N y. Merritt today rendered his resig-
nation as postmaster at Washington, to
be effective at the pleasure of the Post
master General after March 81 In doing
SO Mr.. Merritt assured Mr.. Burleson of
his appreciation of the consideration ex-
tenF ID him during the past year in CON
nection with the duties of his office. and
offered his best wishes for the success
of the Postmaster Generals admnistra-
ton.
Mr. Merritt was appointed acting post
master at Washington October q. 1902.
Immediately following the sudden death
of b. +. Barnes, who had been appoint
ed postmaster by President Roosevelt.
He was later nominated and confirmed
as postmaster by the Senate December
13, 1910, SO that under the four-year
term precedent Mr.. Merritt had still until
December next to continue as post
master.
He said this morning that his resgna-
tion had been rendered voluntarily and
without solicitation following the pre-
mature publication of his plans yester-
day.
Mr. Merritt is considered by the depart
ment to have made an exceptional record
during his term as postmaster. Among
the more important things accomplisht d,
1t was stated, has been a general quick
ening of the dispatch and delivery of
mail matter and the literal interpreta-
ton by him. with action in accordance. OF
the inscription on the special delivery
stamp. that special delivery letters are
entitled to immediate delivery.
Improvement Effected.
One of the earliest Improvements which
he effected was the earlier delivery OF
mail in the morning by letter carriers, an
improved collection service and arrange
ments whereby station F was relocated
at 14th and U streets, with direct receipt
and dispatch of malls to and from the
cars for the important section of the city
which it served almost as an independent
post office. Other plans put into opera
ton include the location of a full sta
ton at Union station, to which mail col
lections are sent direct for dispatch. thus
aving rehandlng and delay in the main
post office; the establishment of the
Cnevy Chase station, with facilities al
most of an Independent post office and
consequent improvement in the suburban
delivery service. and the arrangement o1
direct dispatches to and from the ful
postal stations and the cars with con-
ssquent saving of delay both in the dis
patch and delivery of mail.
For the employees of the Washington
post Office Mr.. Merritt secured recogni-
ton of the principle of promotions only
for merit, and also relieved the carriers
and many of the clerks from Sunday
work These and many other reforms
and improvements have made the out
going postmaster one of the most popular
Washington has ever had.
Complimented by Burleson.
Postmaster General Burleson in refer
ence to the resignation of Mr.. Merritt
today said as follows:
in accepting your resignation. to take
effect March 81, 1 wish to express my
qualification for the efficient manner in
which you have discharged your duties
as postmaster in this city since ! have
been Postmaster General. Your lncum-
bency has been accompanied by great
DEVELOPMENT In the business OF the once
and 1t should be a source of much graft
fication to You to have been connected
with the postal service during SO I'M
portant a period of its history.
wishing you great success. and t,als again ~.
the department of the manner In which
you have co-orperated with US. l am,
fsienen "A. S. BURLESON.
POSTMASTER General"