The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1919-12-10
THE POST OFFICE
DEPARTMENT
Annual Report of Postmaster
General Shows a Surplus
Suggestions Made For Inn
provement of Service

prOvement Of Service
Washington, Dec. "A surplus OF
| s2.342,S51 in postoffice operations for
the fiscal year 1919 was announced in
the annual report today Of Postmas-
ter General Burleson. The figures are
subject to some adjustment which
would increase the surplus, Mr.. Bur
Lesson said adding that this was the
sixth time in the seven years OF the
present postoff7ce administration that
revenues had exceeded expenditure.
An aggregate surplus Of more than
| $35, 900. 900 as compared to an aggre-
gate deficit Of more than s59,000,-
! 900 for the preceding seven year pc
riod is shown in an appended table.
The cause of the change is 'imrle-
diately apparent" the report says OF
this comparison. Whereas the reve-
! nueS under this administration in
creased $737. 7.597.S1S or at the rate OF
| 50.6S per cent. compared with the Z
year period prior to the time it as
suned office, the expenditures increas-
ed only s643.335,795 or at the rate OF
42.49 per cent. The difference be-
tween the increase in expenditures and
| the increase in revenues. less losses,
equals the amount of the net change
in favor Of the public treasury"
Much of the criticism Ieveled at
the departments financial policy, Mr..
Burleson said. was due to lack of
complete and accurate information. "
THE facts. as presented, he add
ed, tell a story Of achievement. They
do not, call for explanations or apol-
ogies and none are given. The admin
istration stands s4uarely on its rec
ord
+ Discussing Improvements in the Ser
vice, Mr.. Burleson said nothing had
been left undone within his authority
ito effect readjustments in the in
terest of all the people and not in that
of any special class" adding:
Because of the curtailment of
what may be termed special class
postal facilities there has grown up
strenuous hostility upon the part of a
limited number Of special interests.
the expense OF whose private business
was largely paid by the government
instead of by themselves. This has
particular reference to the modifying
of the second-class mailing privilege
which had until the advent of the
present administration been gross
abused
improvements made are sun1mariZ-
ed as follows:
Inauguration of ne air-mail SER
vice, esta blishment of the space sys-
tenn in determining the compensa-
ton of railroads for carrying the mail;
readjustment of railway mail service
in the interest Of both Improvement
and economy: Establishments of Or
CARNATIONS in post Offices, methods CT
service, and distribution Of supplies,
on a basis of sound business princi-
rle: Inauguration Of rural and city
rnutor vehicle service and village de-
livery service; extension Of box and
collection service and postage-stamp,
mo1ey-order and registry facilities &c
patrons on star routes; improvements
in the registry system, insured pa
ljcel post, and methods Of handing
dead letters; readjustment of ru"2l
del:. cry service, providing more cqui-
table distribution of facilities to pa
tlors already served and extensions oI
facilities to those citizens who had
Heretofore been denied any service at
all, complete reorganization OF the
equipment and supply services through
the extension Of operation and econ
ony Of production, and the lntroa"t-
ton IF n'odern shop methods, equip
inert and appliances, effecting sub
stantial savings and improvements IN
the service; the partial adjustment OF
the postage rates on second class man
matter, effecting saving OF over
SIS 900 900 annually; reduction OF let
ter postage between the United States
and several foreign countries; lafse
extension of international parcel post,
aud the increase in weight and size OF
parcels permitted in the mails
Mr.. Burleson again asked repeal OIL
legislation permitting affiliatlon OF or
gahizations of postal employees with
labor organizations which sanction
recourse TO the strike or boycott 10
enforce their demands"
Il again call the attention Of con-
gress to the Improperly Of govern
ment employees owing allegiance to
any organization which might stand
between them and the government,
and to the actual menace to govern
mental authority which is involved III
such affiliation.' Mr.. Burleson said.
.The avowed purpose Of labor Or
CARNATIONS is not alone to advance
the social and economic welfare OF
members Of; their order but to eS-
ercise a coercive influence upon the
mployer to compel submission to the'r
demands The strike and the boy
colt are weapons designed to be use:'
in attack or in resistance. The gov
ernment of the United States-is not
to be attacked or resisted by any cill-
I.