Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1916-10-16
Postal Service Comes Close
To The Interests of People

affecting the welfare of postal en-
ployees which should be given consid.
Grafton, and these measures of reform
will have the active cooperation of the
Department in every proper way by
which such reforms may be secured.
II is but common justice to consider
the present method of payment to
fcurth-class postmasters, but it allows
them but small returns for their labor.
If the same high standard of efficiency
is expected of them which should OBJ
tain in the service generally, they
should have their labor properly com
rensated. At present the law restricts
the salaries to be paid according to
the volume of outgoing mail at their
office. The rural carrier who works
under the postmaster is under no such
restrictions, is better paid, and has
more holiday privileges The fourth
class postmaster may have to work
half days on holidays and Sundays
and has no leave of absence. The rural
carrier has both. The position of post
master is, therefore, relatively less de-
Sirable than that of the carrier, though
his offfial responsibility from the ma
ture of his duties is greater. At the
recent state convention of third aud
fourth class postmasters, held at Sun
bury, Pa the question was brought up
and reform urged in the matter
There is much to be said in afvor of
more equitable adjustment, and the
subject can be approached without
detriment to the carrier by a wider
and more comprehensive view of the
duties of the postmaster and a cor
responding improvement in the method
o. payment.
The Introduction of the parcel post
as a great common carrier is an added
feature in connection with this subject.
Thus far the parcel-post service has
been developed principally through
mail-order houses, wrich results in
almost ten times as much parcel-post
matter being sent from the cities to the
ountry as is brought from the country
to the city. The consequence is that
the postmaster handles much larger
percentage of incoming matter or
which he receives no compensation
| than outgoing matter on which his
compensation is basde. This Unequal
ity can be largely corrected if the post
masters in cities would adopt some
/ practical measures towards stimulat-
ing orders from the city patrons for
farm produce which could be shipped
by mail. The organic act passed by
Congress contemplated such advantag-
eous interchange for the benefit of the
fourth-class postmaster as we'll as the
city consumer, and steady and per-
sistent effort in that direction by the
city postmaster would greatly assist in
carrying out the intention of congress
in this respect and popularize the plan
in the rural sections by the reciprocal
advantage it would confer. The fourth |
class postmaster could, however, !
greatly benefit himself, even under
present methods, by making an earn
est and Industrious effort to develop
the parcel-post idea in his community, !
embracing an dtaking an active part
in every detail of postal management,
of which, just now, the parcel post is
so conspicuous a efature and whose
more extended use among the people
would so greatly advance his official
as well as his personal interest.
An interchangeable Personnel.
The advantages of an interchange |
able personnel are so obvious and such
good results have followed the prac-
tice wherever adopted that its general
extension seems warranted by the
soundest consideration OF public
policy. There should be absolutely
no barriers to transfers, details, and
promotions from any one position in
the service to any other position in the
service to any other position, without
regard to geographical limitations
This would practically make the postal
service one great body of workers,
whereby the new ideas and general
improvements known to but few
offices could gradually become known
to many and the service not only bet
tered, but the chances of men in all
the offices greatly advanced until this
broadened opportunity opened to all
the incentive and reward of intelligent
and worthy ambition.