The Washington times., 1916-04-02


reduced TO a small fraction OF the
amount now carried. and the danger OF
loss from fire, burglaries, and the like
would be almost eliminated.
IL iH pointed out that the postmasters
NJ the larger towns are almost always
men OF real business capacity, thorough
~ competent for such supervisory work
as this, and, further, that they have
plenty of time to do just such work. a
good share of postmasters have mighty
restricted duties to perform. They get
their offices through politics, and sys-
tenn that would give them more work to
do OF sort worth while to the depart
ment would make for increased efri-
ciehcy without any Increased expense.
Would Reduce Cost.
The department experts are thorough
ly convinced. after careful study OF this
plan. that II would very greatly I'M
| prove the service and reduce its cost.
The adoption of the county unit plan
would reduce from 5000 TO 3.0O0 the
number Of accounting offices: for each
county main onice would receive and
| consolidate the accounts for all its sub
sidiary offices, and send a consolidated Il
statement Ia the department at Wash
| ingtOn. Thus the number of reports,
remittances. and the like would be re-
| dGoed TO about one-twentieth OF the
present requirements.
Much more prompt settlement OF &C.
| counts would be possible, and the de-
partments financial statement covering
| the entire fiscal operations of the scrv-
ice for eaca month. could he completed
and made available for the guidance OF
the administrative officers In much less
| time than is now possible.
| When this scheme had been carefully
framed. studied and approved. the de-
| partment aske for LEGISLATION authoriz-
ing its adoption. There was inserted In
the bill dealing with the administration
of the department section reading
thus:
| That hereafter the Postmaster
General may establish. under such
| rules and regulations as he may pre-
scribe. ono or more branch onices,
| now accounting offices, or stations
OF any postoffice for the transac-
tiOn OF sush postal business as may,
be required for the convenience OF
the public.
A Huge Scare.
This was all the authorization re
quired, and there was some astonish
ment when the House Committee ol
Postoffices declined to admit the para
graph. Some alarmists became afflicted
with the hectic idea that 600 postoffice
were going TO be abolished. reduced q
the status OF mere subsidiary station
without name. and that only the 800 ac
iCounting offices would be left.
a There was "A huge scare. the depart
ment fell under the suspicion OF tryin
to job Congress and the public and IN
provision was dropped out OF the Dill
} When the legislation got to the Sen
atc. the department was given a chanc
10 explain what II wanted as II had al
! ready done In its annual report. appar
entity without catching the attention O
the House committee at all. The resui
: was that the Senate, without any seri
/ inc lad
thorizing these administrative changes
: Now the whole matter has gone l
conference. the HouAe having refuse
to accept the Senate's provision. ana
is very uncertain whether the prov
sion will finally stand.
| The real basis OF opposition in IN
{ House seems to be that the propose
system OF closer and more rigid admir-
: Istration OF the small postoffices woul
. detract considerably from the Congress
) mans authority over the postmaster
At present the postoffices are III
patronage of members Of the Hous
and az they represent about all II
pork authority that Congressman en1o'
they are regarded with good deal
. jealousy.
Would Weaken Members Hold.
I A postmaster in any sort of troub
: promptly appeals to mis- Congressman
Under the proposed reorganization. b
n relations with his Congressman wou
= he minimiZed and relations with u
!. postmaster at the chief county ofti'
:, would be substituted. The CongrsS
y mans hold on his postmaster, for pol
< ticaI purposes. would be weakened,
i So II happens that the Senate, whl'
doesn't deal in postotfices very eNtel
sively, is perfectly willing TO accept u
q reform, but the House, which regar'
postofrices as its special prerogative.
u strenuously oh5ecting.
J. The yarn about abcishing more ths
8 so OO0 postoffices, is pure invention. \
- postofiice would be abolished. but {
the other hand the expense Of the sms
o OFFICES would be so much reduced tn
In the end there would probably
e more of them.
: The system, as a matter OF faC
n might be adopted and put into cfGe
l. and kept in operation for a generati'
r without the public ever knowing It III
happened. But, Notwithstanding, q
e House has got the idea that some so
y OF an infringement on its political pr
n serves is contemplated. and az likely
r not this simple and altogether desirah
le reform will fail.
l. IL is n fine illr stration Of the difricul
,r Of conducting government business c
II ficiently whenever 1t gets tangled
s. in politics.