Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1915-01-23
POSTMASTERS
MAY LOSE THEIR PLACES
Those in Small Communities Face
Prospects of Being Legislated
Out of Office.

| Assistant postma sters i'll small COM
munities over the United states, os
reason Of pending legislation, face the
prospect of being legislated out OF OF :
lice by failure of appropriation. Shouid
they be designated to fill the duties OF
superintendent of tinance-suDstltuteu
in the bill, making appropriation
for the Post Office Department Tor
the fiscal year 1916, in the absence OF
appropriation for the salaries OF as
sistart postmasters, reduced compen-
sation will lose to them the earned
promotion that has come with years OIL
service and experience.
The pending bill makes no approprla-
ton for the salaries of assistant post
masters. although the measure does
not expressly abolish these offices. Appro-
priation is made for the new position
of sunerintendent of finance. at rate
of conversation that will materially
cut down the pay of men now filing
the duties of assistant postmasters,
shouId they take over the duties ana
compensation provided for superln-
tendent of finance. The bill is lntend-
ed TO effect an economy in the pupllc
service.
Assistant Postmasters Concerned.
Assistant postmasters are showing
considerable concern over tins pros
pect. Their complaint is expressed IN
the following declaration OF their posi-
ton. made by men who advocate their
cause:
THE former administration made the
a assistant postmaSters part OF tne ciVli
service, 1t evidently had in view tne
Of
principal burden to bear. For some
reason not fully disclosed repeated ell
forts have been made to abolish tine
office of assistant postmaster, but WITH
out success.
The present bill, however. has
adopted the effective form of not pro-
viding any appropriation Tor the pa!
ment of their salaries and mas suostlc
tuted the position of superintendent OF
finance. The result of this bill, &C
cordins to those who have looked into
il. will be to create sinecures IN Ger
tain of the large cities where the as
sistant postmaster has nttle or no "oI
to do, and to TX the salary for the So
called superintendent of finance on a
basis which will he attractive to those
who are fortunate enough to OBTAIN
positions which require no speclal Ca
pacity or training. since III the larger
cities the post Offices are PROVIDED with
cashiers, who keep all accounts, handle
the pay rolls and attend to all dis
burSements.
Where He Bears the Burden.
an the smaller cities. however, the
a assistant postmaster has not only the
burdens of the office to carry, but at
tends to all financial matters without
assistance, including pay rolls, making
out all checks, keeping accounts Of
every description, composing and writ
ing all letters, answering all com
plants. dealing directly with the pub
lie and supervising generally the work
of the office. Such assistants do not
en- 10y the luxury of Il stcnographer, but
must compose and write their own let
tiers. and generally supervise not only
the entire work of the Office, but also
the work of what may be called the
field forcc-namely, the letter carriers,
etc.
The assistant postmasters. who are
men of all work in the smaller offices.
are faced with the probability of hav-
ing their salaries reduced-if they are
so fortunate as to be retained-While
those in the larger cities will receive
an increase, if the pending bill becomes
law. The opposition. therefore. to its
pa ssage seems to have considera BILE
justification, and the opponents are
still hopeful that the senators from
their states will see to it that this in
Justice is not cOnsummated.
The bill has already passed the
House in this form. The Senate is now
considering ii.