The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1919-03-28

pertinent is vast and far-reaChing. It conducts q business of more than S33O, ,O0O,o0O annually. In times of peace 1t has the largest organization of any government institution. This being true it must of necessity, lii the interest of the public service, be conducted Tn the same business like manner as any successful business in stitution. The administrative officers of tho department, the postms sters, the officers of the service, and its em- ployes are simply trusted agents of the public. They should not only exercise the utmost care in main taining efficient service and eEpend- ing the funds but it Is their plain duty to do so.
 Efficiency Not Sacrificed for Economy
 AS you well know, the present General assumed the du ties of his office March 5, 1918.
 The policy of the Postmaster General has been fully set forth in his annual reports 10 which policy l invite your attention. In his annual report for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1918. 1t was stated:
 '"The dominant policy of the pres ent admin istration will be to conduct the postal service for the cOnven- fence of the public and not for profit. Its controlling purpose will be to promote efficiency by the complete standardization of the service, which will be attained by harmonizlag equipment, adjusting the personnel, and securing the greatest possible CO., operation in every quarter"
 In the report for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1914, 1t was stated;
 The general policy of the present administration of the postal service, ss defined in the last annual report of the Postmaster-General has been ad- hered 10 with good results.
 The service has been administered for the convenience of the public, not for profit; to promote efficiency by sandardizing and simpiyfy nE pro cedure; to recognize merit and elim- mate partisanship; to extend service wherever present or irrespective re turns justify; 10 reduce the rates in so far as proves consistent with gen eral fiscal necessity; and to provide all communities and all sections of the country, as far as practicable, with uniform service"
 In the report for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1915, it was stated:
 The efforts of the department have been steadfastly directed toward ra- tioual and economical administration for the purpose of obtaining for the public the most efficient service pos sible. The measure of efficiency is not determined solely by the amount of money spent, but by the results ob- tained from the expenditures rnade.'
 In the report for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1916, it was stated:
 Whereas the department is no , longer a tax on the general revenue, it is desired to again emphasize it's po- sitiOn that it should not be permitted to become q revenue producer for the government. t should become its fixed policy that all surplus postal revenues should be used for the en- Iargement of the service, the increase of postal efficiency. and, when justi- fled, to a reduction of rates of post age. "
 The policy outlined in these reports has been strictly adhered to
 During the term of the present Postmaster General the number of rural roues have been increased from 42.S7S to 43, 4T1---the number cf fam lilies served from 4,os7,6o0 to 4,347. .100. and the number Of patrons from IT, 151,200 to 17,3S8,4Q0.
 Expansion Of the Service.
 The city delivery service has been extended in a similar manner. The number of offices having city delivery service in 1913 was 1875. while today it is 20o1. The delivery by carrier in the cities has been increased and extended. The number of carriers in- creased since 1913 from 3O.923 to 34,- 641 The number of clerks at first and second class post offices has been increased from 35, ASS in 1913 to 42,- 669. Other branches of the service have been extended and improved 1T like manner, and the expenditures fol the postal service have kept pace will the increased revenues, and tht growth of the business.
 On March 4, 1913. the eight-in-ter hour law for postal employees became effective. This law required a com plete encouragement of the workins schedules of clerks ond city carrier. at all first and second class post of fees.
 The Parcel Post.
 On January l, 1913, the parcel pos service was established. The parce post was new institution. It wa. early realized. however, that the or aginaI rates of postage were excessive and the conditions of mailing wer such that the service woU1 be of lit tie or no advantage to the public. Th' insurance fee was excessive and tn use of distinctive parcel post stamp very objectionable. The Postmaster General on July l, 1913. reduced tn insurance fee from 10 to cents, reduction of 50 per cent, and the us of distinctive stamps was TO longe required after that date. A feI months later the Postmaster-Genera again exercised the administrative au thority vested in him and with tn consent of the Interstate Commerc Commission made sweeping reduC tions in the rates and material in crease in the weight limit for tn first and second zones. On Januar ], 1914, the rates were further re duced and the weight again increased The classification of the articles mail able, was later changed t0 admi books The limit of size has als been increased, until today package not exceeding S4 inches in length an girth combined or TO pounds weight are accepted for the first thre