Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1921-12-07
HAYS To SLASH
RED TAPE IN ?.
0. DEPARTMENT.
New Organization Plans
Contemplate the EIimina-
ton of Delay and Waste
in Handling the Mails.

Washington, Dec. 6.--Postmaster
General Hays today issued an an
nouncement outlining important
new organization plans, which con-
template the elimination of red
tape, delay and waste in conncc-
ton with departmental affairs.
Mr., Hays holds that one little
word "redtape," with all it conveys,
has done more to create a lack of
confidence and respect for govern
mental operation than all the dis
loyalty propaganda ever issued.
The postoffice department pro-
poses to eliminate it by the adop-
ton of the principle of decentrali"
cation and the distribution of de-.
tail under the direction of depart
ment heads.
The large postofficcs which are
now central accounting offices are
in sense miniature departments as
now organized. They have sections
and divisions already performing in
some measure work which is con-
templated to divert to them. Nj
that is necessary is to enlarge tbs
scope Of these several departments
III the postoffices and have them
absorb work now being done in the
department in Washington.
In no sense would any post
masters contact or responsibility
to the department be interfered
with. 1t would simply mean th8t
the smaller offices and the deyar-
ment could be relieved of much de-
tail in accounting, etc, with the re-
suit that both could function with
less expense, less delay to govern
mental business and with moro
time to working out real problems
of service.
State VIII BE the Unit.
The state will be the unit and
everything of a postal nature that
can be done for the state will be
done within the state.
A complete survey of the entire
department will determine where
there is congestion, delay, dupiica-
ton, and lost motion. Following
this, where it can be expedited and
handled with greater convenience
to the public and less expense to
the government, work will be d.
verified to central accounting post
offices in each state.
The possibilities are unltrlite1.
4 few things contemplated Which
it Is expected will he put into OK.
ecution as conditions will pc.mi,
are:
Quick settlement of claims
through local postoffices, elim!nCt-
ing delay attendant upon submits
sion to Washington.
Simplifying accounting systems,
largo part of work being Absorbed
in accounting divisions IF central
accounting postoffices, eliminating
duplication and delay at WlshmS-
ton and opportunities for errors
and shortages in smaller off ce9.
Schools Of Instruction.
Schools of instruction for post
and other employees.
Frequent conferences in WASH |
ngton between department Off
,ials and those charged with WORK |
II states.
Money orders cleared, listed. and
He'd in q large postoffice Of each
tate, which will be equipped with
modern appliances for the purpose.
his one operation now beingj
yorked out will effect net saving
( scores of clerks in one division of
he department and render more
service.
Supplies contracted for and pur-
hased in Washington TO be dis
diluted from regional dapoIs, sdv-
lg delay.
Using central accounting offices
l each state as centers from which
} quickly disseminate information
f importance. A recent ordel has
cen issued which makes it posi-
lie to announce information ton~
erning exchange rates in fe"
ours notice. Quick information in
agard to money orders stolen In
ifferent parts of the country to
revent their being passed on bus
less men Is another possibility of
he, near future.
Giving moro discretion to POST
f the public by placing gre7teN
upon them, and mole
lg them to 1t. Doing away as far
5 possible with the stock phrase,
hich drives the public Wild
ill submit it to Washington"
Consolidated state printing plants
further elimination of waste.
Dead letters and packages to be
isposed of in the state. Saving
)ngestion and delay in the dlsrH-
ton of this matter when it all
)mcs to Washington.
The elimination of hundreds OF
forms, which cost
lousands OF dollars to print and
lore thousands to complete and
lie. slowing up the whole institu-
on.