Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1916-09-22
Post Office Department Has
Made Great Strides Under
The Present Administration

parcels in the past three years.
The inclusion of books in parcel
pest classification is another advanced
step for public benefit, materially re-
ducing postage ON such matter, an
item of considerable interest to read
ing public.
The Objectionable use to which win
dow-deliyery service may be subjected
has led to an active and vigorous cam
Eaign by the department to check the
possibility of making this public ac-
commodation a channel for unworthy
purposes. This particular service
offers such opportunity for misuse
that especial supervision is necessary
to prevent it, and this will be given.
One thousand new steel cars have
been placed on the lines of the railway
mail service for the PROTECTING Of
postal clerks and liability law en-
acted for the relief of employees en-
gagged in this hazardous service. Mail
transportation has also been increased
on 6,24S.O9 miles of railway.
The question OF the betterment of the
read problem has been considered and
taken up by cooperation with the de-
rartment of agriculture and with the
states and counties in the construction
of post roads, which is expected to re-
suit in continued improvement, and
facilitate to a great extent the work of
the rural carrier in travelling these
reads.
POstOffices Standardized.
The large post offices of the country
have been standardized, and new and
up-to-date methods adopted by which
better and more efficient service can
be secured. The advantage of this is
seen in the rapid accomplishment of
the annual audit of the revenue and
expense of the Department for the
present fiscal year, the earliest report
ever made in the history of the Post
Office Department, which is entirely
due to improved systems of account
ing and the high standard of efficiency
among postmasters.
Great economies in the purchase and
manufacture of mail equipment have
been carried out, whereby vast sums
of money are annually saved to the
Government-over $6,OO0,O00 annually
by the reduction of weight in equip
ment for railway transportation.
The fraud-law statutes to prevent
the use of the mails for swindling pur-
poses have been vigorously enforced,
and will be continued for the public
protection.
More than $1,O000OO have been saved
on a four-year contract for supplying
the Government with stamped envei-
bpes, and competition has been en-
couraged and secured in awarding
contracts for post-office quarters and
supplies, effecting large savings il
these seevral directions.
And above all, notwithstanding the
great loss caused by the low rates for
| second-class matter and the heavy ex-
penditure for rural delivery and the
fact that for Twenty-Five years preced-
ing 1913 there was an annual deficit,
the gratifying announcement is made
that the Department is now not only
self-supporting, but will turn back into
the Treasury this year surplus Of
$5,742,O 900.
Every Opportunity Used.
1t is only just to say that no oppor-
tunity has been neglected in any direc-
ton whereby money could be saved
and conditions improved. While tae
saving of money is always public
duty, it is not everything the great
essential of public administration.
Service, always service, this is the
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