Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1915-10-21
JAIL ASKED TOTRy
TO BETTER SERVICE
Advice to Postmasters by the
First Assistant Postmaster
General.
CARElESSNESS WITH CASH
A TO0-FREQUENT OFFENSE(
Intentional Embezzlement Involved
in Only a Few Of the
Many Cases.

strong as the strongest, instead of ac.
ceptance of the proposition that "e
chain is as strong as it's weakest link
This was the keynote of the speech de.
livered by Daniel C. Roper, first assist.
ant postmaster general, which was the
principal event of this mornings SEES
sion of the annual convention of the
Association OF Postmasters of the First
and Second Glasses. held in the audi.
torium of the New National Museum
Mr.. Roper's subject was Some
Things the Postmaster May Do to In
| crease the Business and Efficiency OF
His Office" and in his comprehensive
and in many respects complimentary
almost every phase Of the relations
| that obtain between the postmaster
and the public and the postmaster and
his government department.
Strict Care of Funds.
| That the first assistant postmaster
generals exposition OF the subject was
highly appreciated by the men and
women through whom is done more
| than so per cent of the post office
| business of the country. was evidenced
by the bursts of applause which came
at frequent intervals during his talk
The point on which, perhaps, was laid
the speakers greatest emphasis was
| the necessity for strict supervision
by the postmaster of the financial and
accounting departments of his Office. A
| large number have been especially
derelict in this regard, he declared, and
during the last fiscal year he has had
representations by inspectors looking
to the removal of no fewer than
500 officials for this cause alone But,
according to the auditor for the Post
Office Department, said Mr.. Roper this
number Is smaller than usual, and the
department Is gratified accordingly. He
impressed most strongly on the dele
gates the absolute necessity for the
holding sacred Of public funds.
Not Intentional Embezzlement.
Very few of these cases involve in
territorial embezzlement," said Mr..
Roper, but nearly all are traceable to
too much confidence placed in interiors,
insufficient attention to details and
similar causes. Accounts should be
handled with the utmost promptness
and those employees less lacking in
strength should be protected from
temptation"
The speaker discussed the custom. too
common In the past. Of drawing salaries
In advance, and told of the steps taken
to prevent such temptation to living
beyond the employees means.
He touched upon the question Of al
iowances by the department. explain
ing that to the Offices of the postmasters
general the whole country is but an
enlarged postal district, the various
branches of which must be treated
with strict impartiality.
~ should be a matter Of common
partment cannot expend money for any
purpose not appropriated therefor by
Congress, and for a postmaster not to
realize this raises doubt as to his
competency to hold Office"
Saved q Million Dollars.
Mr.. Roper's remarks. while COM
mandatory in general tone, were not all
by any means complimentary. Where
he perceived fault he was not slow
to point 1t out. and in no uncertain
language. Your work for the past
year will ever be remembered and ap-
preciated' by me-, he said, however.
I'VE got along with 500 new clerks in
stead of. 1900, and we saved the coun-
try a million dollars
Perhaps no point in his address com-
manded greater interest than when he
discassed the persistence on the part
of the public in inadequately address,
ing mali. And his announcement that
he had recommended to Postmaster
General Burleson that the latter ask
Congress to authorize a charge of one
cent in cases where a search through
the directory was necessitated by the
omission of the street address was re-
ceived with enthusiastic and prolonged
applause.
He discussed, among variety of
pertinent things. campaigns by which
clVlc bodies may be made to CO cooperate
for the improvement of postal facili-
ties; the erection of post office build
ings commensurate with actual needs
and not to crafty civic vanity: prob
lens connected with the vast uuanti-
ties of ranked mail handled by some
offices. together with proper steps for
its reduction to a necessary minimum.
the vehicle question; office equipment,
sanitation and kindred topics. In con-
clusion he said:
I'm my opinion the service has never
before had a more jealous, efficient and
Intelligent corps OF postmasters. 1t
shall be my earnest endeavor to sup
support of the department which /
confidently expect from you"
A rising vote of thanks was rendered
Mr. Roper.
Duties Of a Postmaster.
"A foStmaeterS Dutle8 was the sub
ject discussed by the second speaker.
Colin NJ. selph Of st. Louis, Mo. In his
paper he spoke both of an onlciars
duties to himself and to the public
"A postmaster should hold his hand
necessarily on tho pulse of public SEN
timent.'' he said. "in order that he NAV
transmit Its essence to tho department
of which he Is a representative. He
Ice; q leader and directing power and
not a driver of men,"
Owing to arrangements made by Mr.
Roper the officials are at stated times
and by states to visit his office, that
of the auditor and that of Postmaster
General Burleson. The bulk of these
visits will have to be worked in to-
morrow morning. and accordingly it
was decided to postpone the business
scheduled for that time and the re-
ma Under of this mornings program to
tomorrow night. A special cavalry
drill arranged for by the Secretary Of
War will be staged at Fort Myer to-
morrow Afternoon for the beneflt of the
delegates.
|. Motion Pictures Of Exhibit.
This afternoons session was featured
by a complete moving picture repro
duction of the postal exhibit of the
department at the San Francisco ex-
position. The Foreign Mail Service. "
was the topic discussed by Robert L.
Maddox, superintendent of foreign
mails. Boiling H. Jones of Atlanta
| Ca, spoke on How to Handle the