South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1921-09-06
THE DISAPPOINTING" Mr.. HAYS.

Every other large industry in the country
adopted welfare measures This humanizing bust
ness IS not original 1t has been the definite trend
OF American business for the past generation. Juss
how far so with it in the Postoffice Depart
ment I don't know. bu. is certain that very
be done and not in any sense in lieu of wages
All the things thar are done successfully for the
welfare Of the employees other successful business
done far possible in this. the creates.
Of all business Why it has been seriously
tempted before in the Postonice Department don't
know
Uncle sam must be just as good boss as any
private employer. II is certainly Of the very
definite purposes Of the days just ahead. II we
improve the spirit and conditions o. the SOO
900 men and women who do this job. that in itsels
is an accomplishment. and it is just certain to
bring consequential Improvement in the service
tomorrow's sun.
Il have said and I reiterate in the dignity and
sponsibity Of this presence. that it IS my opinion
that the postal establishment is most certainly
institution for profit for politics. but an
sututon for service, and 1t is the presidents most
earnest purpose TO improve that service. You can't
EXPECT men and women to give service if they are
to be shuttecocks of politics"
It is VIII Hays citizen of Indiana. now postmaster
general talking.
It is be feared that he will disappoint the ve:y
small minority who believed that he into the
post office department for the sole purpose of turn
ing it into a political machine.
The people who served by this gre latest of
business enterprises their own business and the
men and women who perform its labors will also
be saprointed-plea.antly agreeably disappointed.
Humanizing the postal service in order to make it
more efficient a policy which will appeal to every
fair-minded citizen.
It Is wonderful business. gigantic in proportions
which Ar Hays described yesterday in his address
to the National Association Of Letter Carriers at St.
Louis Let him give you some Of the figures
Every time you buy postage stamp you
part OF total OF a billion annually. There are l.
125OOOOO postal cards sold each year and 5000 900
stamped envelopes debts 10 the amount Of $500
100000 are satisfied each year through the sale Ct
100000 money orders. The earth could be en-
circIed ten times w,.h the two rails on which the
mail is carried IN the United States We use 100000
quarts of ink in a year and $4,000 quarts OF muci-
Iage. and enough lead pencils to place one behind
the ear Of 100000 PERSONS We use 900 mie3
OF Irvine every year enough 10 girdle the earth
thirty times There are 10 million unbelievable
letters handled annually by the Division Of Dead
Letters owing 10 the neglect OF the public in ad-
dressing mail"
This Is the service rendered by the 100000 men
and women employed IN this department.
Mr.. Hays set high standard for himself II It
be politics it Is the best Of politics because it APP
peals to the man OF independent thought and pur-
pose.
His own future politician and as public servant
viii be measured ty the manner in which he
ries out his own tdeal-1nd the great public hopes
that he VIII lift he service ur very close TO his
announced standards.