Evening star., 1916-07-20

ters general and practically all the ofl-
ctals OF the Post Once Department have
also been invited. 1t is believed that
many of them will attend.
All those attending the banquet have
been advised to wear palm beach or
some other lightweight. comfortable
summer clothing. and that the spirit of
the occasion will be informality and
good-fellowship.
Colin NJ. Selph, president of the Ma
tional Association of Postmasters. will
be toastmaster, and after a brief ad-
dress of welcome will beg all to make
Separate Dinner for Ladies.
While the postmasters are enjoying
their banquet the wives and other
woman guests will have a special din
ner of their own in the large dining
room on the first floor of the Raleigh.
This banquet is the first big social
event of the convention. The next So
cial event is tomorrow morning, when
more than 600 postmasters and their
Mount Vernon as guests Of the joint
convention committee of the trade or
ganizations of Washington. The boat
leaves at 10 o'clock and returns at
pm.
The final session of the convention
comes tomorrow afternoon. This cares
for all leftover business and the in
duction into Office of the new officers
Tomorrow many of the postmasters
and their guests will have the greatest
time of their lives when they are
guests of President and Mrs. Wilson at
garden party on the White House
lawn, at 80 pm.
Mr.. Blakslee Cheered.
Mr.. Blakslee. the fourth assistant
postmaster general, was loudly cheered
by the convention when he said:
There is real interested party In
control in Washington. There is no
well worn path for multi i-millionaires
the soft foot artist in Washington for
at least three years. l think express
sions of satisfaction and security float
ing around in Washington are founded
on what is about to happen.
Il don't think anything but calam-
ity," he concluded, could prevent it,
and ! don't believe it is necessary to
say to you that your part is. of course,
back home, and I'm sure you'll attend
to it when the time comes"
Prosperity Barometer.
II the records of the large post ofhces
throughout the country can be used as
barometers of trade conditions, pros
perity abounds a-plenty in the United
States. Postmasters from large cities
and small cities and from large towns
and small towns reported that postal
business has increased from 10 to 80
per cent within two years.
Parcel post. according to these re-
ports has increased in some instances
100 per cent. and in some districts in
the south postal authorities have ex-
perienced no little difficulty in getting
laborers to work in stamped envelope
factories.
Several postmasters advocated ex-
tension of automobile collection and
delivery service, both in cities and on
rural routes Government ownership
of such motors was urged, and POST
master Thornton of Philadelphia, where
the government is experimenting with
federal-ewned motor cars, said the
service there had been greatly i'm
proved
Record of Efficiency.
"The present administration has the
greatest record OF postal efficiency of any
in history" said Postmaster Burk Of Bur-
lington, Vt, "and there is no question in
nv mind but what in certain sections Of
the country government ownership would
1urIner increase cIiiSicHSJ- NofCAh-
ment ownership should be considered
strictly in the light of business principles.
but in view of conditions in Burlington
do not believe that the postal service
there would be bettered by government
ownership
Postmaster Murry of Albany. N. Y,
said that government ownership could not
improve upon the contract system in the
smaller towns and cities, but that Tor
cities like Chicago. New York, Boston
and Philadelphia, where the department
could afford to keep its own repair shops
and factories for automobiles and delivery
wagons, government ownership would be
good thing.
Others who spoke in favor Of govern
ment ownership were Postmasters Alex
ander of Nashville, Tenn; Davenport Of
Americus. Ga; Parrish OF Toledo. Barr
of jackson, Mich; Hogadone Of Grand
Rapids, Mich. and acting Postmaster
Burton of Brooklyn.