The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1921-12-06
CUT OUT RED TAPE
IN POSTOFFICES
Postmaster General Hayes Outlines
New Organization Plans for
Department.


WASHINGTON. Dec. 5.-Postmaster
General Hays has issued an announce
ment outlining important new organi-
zation plans, which contemplate the
elimination of red tape, delay and
waste in connection 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 governmental operation
than all the disloyalty propaganda ever
issued.
The post office department proposes
to eliminate ii by the adoption OF the
principle of decentralization and the
distribution of detail under the direc-
ton of department heads.
The large post offices which are now
central accounting offices are in a sense
miniature departments as now organ
lied. They have sections and divisions
already performing In some measure
work which is contemplated to divert
to them. All that is necessary is to
enlarge the scope of these several de-
partments in the post offices and have
them absorb work now being done IN
! the department in Washington.
In no sense would any postmaster's
contract or responsibility to the de-
partment be interfered with It would
simply mean that the smaller offices
and the department could be relieved
Of much detail IN accounting, etc, with
the result that both could function with
less expense, less delay to government
tai business, and with more time to
working out real problems of service.
The state will be the unit and every
thing of a postal nature that can be
done for the state will be done within
the state.
A complete survey of the entire de-
partment will determine where there
Is congestion, delay, duplication and
can be expedited and handled with
greater convenience TO the public and
less expense to the government. work
viii be diverted to central accounting
post offices IN each state.
The possibilities are unlimited. A
few things contemplated which 1t is ex-
pecetd will be put into execution as
conditions win permit are:
Quick settlement OF claims through
local post offices. eliminating delay at
tendant upon submission to Wash
ington
Simplifying accounting systems, large
part Of work being absorbed in ac-
counting divisions Of central account
Ing post offices. eliminating duplica-
ton and delay at Washington and OPP
portunities for errors and shortages in
smaller offices.
Schools of instructions for post
masters and other employees.
Frequent conferences in Washington
between department officials and those
charged with work in states.
Money orders cleared, listed, and filed
in a large post office of each state,
which will be equipped with modern
appliances for the purpose. This one
operation now being worked out will
effect a net saving Of scores of clerks
In one division of our department and
render more efficient service.
Supplies contracted for and pur-
chased In washington TO be distributed
from regional depots. saving delay.
Using central accounting offices in
each state as centers from which to
quickly disseminate information of Inn
portance. A recent order has been is
sued which makes 1t possible to an
nounce information concerning ex-
change rates in few hours notice
Quick information IN regard to money
orders stolen in different parts Of the
country to prevent their being passed
on business men IS another possibility
Of the near future.
Giving more discretion to postmas-
tiers in meeting requirements of the
public by placing greater responsibility |
upon them. and holding them to It. |
Doing away IS far as possible with the
stock phrase. which drives the public
wild. IT will submit It to Washington
Consolidated state printing plants
further elimination of waste.
Dead letters and packages to be dis
posed of IN the state Saving conges-
ton and delay in the disposition of this
matter when 1t all comes to Wash
ington.
The elimination of hundred of I'M
necessary forms which cost thousands
Of dollars to print and more thousands
to complete and file, slowing up the
whole institution
sAe-- I