, 1921-12-09

QetneT Win the eHeCIS Oh lnCr'
duce sufficient revenue approximately
to meet f."
Mr.. HAYS makes no specific recon-
mendations as to the suggested ad'
Iustmeuts, and declares e~Tnphatically
that III # were a question between the
best practical service on the n hand.
and a poorer service with revenue
meeting cost. on the other hand. de-
cision should be resolved in favor OF
rendering the service He adds that
the department should not be con.
Quoted for a profit. but that II need
not ultimately be run at a loss.
Revenues OF the postal service for
the fiscal year ended last June. Mr..
HAYS says, totsued S~463.+9i.274. an
increase OF s2s,34l ,0s2 over tho re-
ce.pts of the preceding fiscal year,
Balanced against this were audited
expenditures Of $3.50. s9a.673 with. the
total audited deficiency at fi5I,5l1,-
SIS.
The material increase in the defici'
ency over that for 1920. Mr.. Hays
states, IS due to large increase of ex'
peuditures in two principal items
without any corresponding increase in
the evenu The two principal
items are f7s.130,s oI for increased
compensation to railroads on the has
is OF an order Of the interstate com
merce commission retroactive TO No
vember l. 1916. and S41 s55 900 for
added compensation allowed employees
by congress.
Approving this added compensation
the postmaster general tells the
-. ss.A. a.raL.a nrakFfhHA
by law for those in the department
are too low TO compensate those who
continue in the service. or to attract
and hold others OF he ability required
in the conduct OF such institution.
to the Inconsistencies In tho
salaries OF employees in the department
proper and those who serve in the
field, Mr.. Hays says they emphasize
the Importance n necessity OF i'm
Legislation 10 readjust the de
salaries throughout"
The postmaster general also recon-
riends Legislation providing for tho
hanging Of the name of the depart
nent 20 the department OF coinmuni
and to authorize him to:
Collect a fec where directory service
Is given in postoffices to mali insult
Iic.entiy or improperly addressed. !
FIX a charge for a return receipt for 1
rcgiz.ecd aticles.
To restrict, within his discretion |
the application of the specia. delivery |
sci vice q. first class mail matte. |
To dispense with the surety bonds
now required Of officers and employs
accountable for funds or property anf
to substitute therefor u guaranty fund
established and maintained by assess
against such officers mt en-
To provide for the payment by the
advertisers OF postage on replies II
advertising matter
Mr.. Hays also recommends service
pensions for those who have been ir
the service more than 30 years and |
that Sundays INK holidays be excluded
from sick cave granted employees o
the department and service.
Discussing briefly the detailing O. |
TO guard valuable mails il
against hold UP" men, tho
general informs the presi
lent that there is being recruited from
the department itself TO take the place
of the marines an armed guard as a
permanent branch OF the postal serv |
fee.
The United States mail must be pro.
down to the last postal care |
OF cost Of personal sacr!
Mr.. Hays says. lit must be
rue n a the malls may be late. but
they are never lost"
AT the end OF the fiscal year, Mr. |
Hays reports. there was a total of AZ,
1888 postoffices. an increase Of 2.522.
First class offices numbered 799. ar
OF 90; second class numbered
2 ,77e. IN increase of 1874; third class
l0,4s0. an increase of 1850 and fourth
offices totalled 3S,110. The aver
age salaries of clerks was Increase
from 1886 to s1.T17 and of carriers
1851 to 1857.
Tho postmaster general expresses a
conviction in the duty OK honcstly.l
applying the merit system. declaring
this should govern the appoint.
pient of postmasters. 1
"f ain sure It is steadily growing in
HE mind OF the public" he says, that
4 we Ire to have the most efficient
postal service We must keep It as far
Is possible out OF politics."
The rural mail service was extend
d during the year to more than 307
rev routes. of which 1903 were estab-
lched by the new administration. the
says. The total number of
was 43.752, covering 1,l6s, $50
niles and requiring annual travel of
of 352 $50. s5S miles. The cost
" the service was SIS. 462, 900.
Mails yer carried over TO- e4 star
outee not traversed by rural carries,
he eport continues. and at a cost of
the mails were carried over
q, 1888 miles OF routes IN Alaska.
Special arrangements nave beer
nrde for improving the service in