The Washington times., 1915-02-07
THE POSTAL TRUTHS

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1t is time for somebody or some
organization to set about giving the
public the unvarnished truth about
conditions in the Postoffice Depart
ment.
In New York, Philadelphia, Brook
lyn, and a long list of other large
cities, postoffice patrons have recent
ly been excited over stories that pos
tai facilities are going to be pared
down in order to meet the deficit in
the department.
There is no denial that the depart
ment authorities have initiated in
quiries at many Offices, looking to
Inauguration of plans to retrench
in expenses.
Immediately the affrighted patrons
of the service are ready to believe
whatever story is told about the rea-
sons why retrenchment is necessary.
The handiest lie, and the one that
seems best to serve the purpose of
certain interests using it, is the
story that the parcel post has caused
the deficit.
Therefore-this is the obvious
logic-the parcel post ought to 60,
or to have it's rates raised, in order
to stop the deficit.
With it's rates raised much, the
parcel post would "go" fast enough.
Nothing would please its competi-
tors SO much as to see its rates
raised. They would get the business.
The fact is that the parcel post is
earning, not losing, money for the
department. Let that be thoroughly
understood.
The stories that parcel post losses
cause the deficit are absolutely un-
true.
1t is a fact that in the frst-clase
mail business of the great centers q
loss has been experienced lately
This is the greatest revenue-produc.
ing branch of the postoffice service
1t has suffered for the precise rea.
sons that other business have suf.
fered.
But it is dishonest to charge the
deficit to the parcel post, and the
people who are inducing circulation
Of that piece of dishonesty know it
They know they are giving tht
country false impression; and tha,
is just why they are doing it.
The deficit in the postoffice i.
caused, not by the parcel post. which
earns profits, but by the egregiousl!
excessive expense of the rural fire,
delivery service.
The Postmaster General has re
ported that he could save near $50,
100000 year in this service if Con
gress would only permit. But Con
gress will not permit, for fear i
might offend the army of rural car
riers who are highly organized an,
possess political influence.
| Unable to do the thing that ough
to be done, the department may b.
compelled to do the thing that ough
not to be done: to curtail facilitie
in the large cities.
Let it be remembered that tn
business of the great city Offices i
conducted at big profit to the de
partment.
Let it be remembered that tn
business of rural free delivery
conducted at huge loss.
Let it be kept in mind that tn
parcel post earns profits.
Yet, because rural delivery, ex
travagantly conducted, causes
deficit, there is serious danger tina
both the parcel post and the cit
services may be made to suffer.
The whole future of the po.,.s
|, service is involved at this point, tn
whole policy of the Government tt
, ward this department. If the attac
, on the parcel post shall su.ceed, an
| if the curtailment of service in tn
; city shall be enforced, Governmer
, management of the postoffice wi
have been a failure.
i.