South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1921-02-27
FEBRUARY II. 1921
POSTAL PLUMs AS PROPOSED TO BE RE-
WVED By NEW ADMINISTRATION.

Pres't Wilson has done more than any other presi-
dent in the history Of the post Office department
20 lift Il above the plane Of craftsmanship requiring
OF postmasters the Endorsement OF the civil service
commission on basis " htness regardless Of poll
ties. witness the presence in South Bend of a re-
publican postmaster. by appointment of demo-
cratic president, consequence. Witness also the
enrnity aroused within his party with such men a.
Sen. Reed OF Missouri. Sen. Walsh Of Massachusetts
Sen. Gore OF Oklahoma. Sen. Chamberlain Of
oregon. Sen Shields Of Tennessee. Sen. Hoke Smith
OF Georgia. because he appointed republican cost
masters, civil service recommendation, at Kan
City. St Louis. Boston. Knoxville. Oklahoma
City, Portland and Atlanta.
As political maneuver have admit that the
president used bad Judgment but for the purpose Of
building UP the public service. nothing could
been more commendable. Now comes the report
that the rule Is TO be abrogated and just
possible, the post Offices are to be swept clean
OF Wilson appointees. to make room for deserving
republicans" Postmaster Gen. Hays, when he
into ONCE. is to be blessed by the new president,
with postmasters OF his own political faith that
IL. IL reports current Irove true.
But what the country is interested in is service.
There is room for Improvement. and It should be
had. It can be more efficient cheaper and faster,
than the Bureson brand. but this can be done only
through the exercise of good business Judgment 1t
presupposes the abolition of things political. and
It VIII not be good business If the postal service IS
regarded a political plum tree.
The ideal program would be for the presi-
dent to begin at the top and appoint the best pos
tAl expert in the country postmaster general. in
stead OF political hamstring This under pres
ent method of running the federal government. may
be asking too much. but rolitics well may stop at
the highest postal once. From there down
through the entire system let politics play part
ut all; and permit ability. training, experience. to
serve as the guide for selection.
There is. for example, the Office of second assist
ant postmaster general This is the keystone Of the
whole mail transportation system including both
the railway and foreign malls services In its posi-
biities this Office is important than the post
master generalshp. Who is the best man for this
Job? An experienced politician experienced
railway mail service executive? A manipulation of
conventions a manipulation of letters and parcels
post packages? A man who can deliver delegates or
= who knows how deliver mail the short
est time at the least cost?
II the new postmaster general is wise he will ap-
point second assistant from the ranks of those who
know that branch OF the postal business regardless
% party. needless to requests for pums for poit-
clans So. too. the other assistants may be chosen,
each from OF the service, post offices.
finances and rural deliveries. That would make for
good business methods in the postal system. It
would make for efficiency. better service at less
Il would make the postal field more inviting to
the and women IN Il, and would encourage
higher grade Of intelligence service.
Picking the four big executives OF the depart
aent from the ranks would place before all postal
workers higher goal than ever before faced them.
n would endOw every emplOye with that fine de-
sire TO do his work we'll that ne might reach the
top. step by step This IS the way private business
succeeds Why no, try it in a matter Of public bust
nessT
We TO hive business administration for
the next four years, you know. They told US that
right w to the moment that the last
ed OF course haven't heard so much about il
since possibly is preferred that we forget it
but with the masses OF the people it is still OF
greater Importance than who profits by the shaking
OF the Watch the critics OF Pres't Wilson least
partisan any president that we have had since
Washington. who criticised him under claim of his
extreme craftsmanship now practicing what for poll
teal effect they only few short weeks ago were
SC loud in condemning