Evening journal., 1922-03-20


publicity, II. II. Billany, during his
first year as Fourth Assistant Post
master General. has quietly plunged
himself into his business and work
ed out a number OF reforms helpful
to the postal service and beneficial
20 the rural carriers. In fact, a sur
vey OF the fruitful Accomplishment
OF his administration to date-ac-
complishments which have sown
efficiency and content throughout
the four corners OF the land-prove
they could well serve as a proud rec
ord Of a four-year term instead Of
one which has just concluded the
first lap as the executive head in the
immediate charge OF matters vital
to the rural service OF the country
The following are some OF the
outstanding changes and reforms
which Mr.. Billsny has effected dur
ing his first year in office:
The practice with reference to the
retirement Of employees who have
reached retirement age and are
eligible for annuity, has been modi-
fed so as to permit them to con-
tinue in their employment II they
are able to render efficient and sat
isfactory service.
The authority by which postmas-
ters at some Offices could require
rural carriers to report at the offices
| for one hour on Sundays and holi-
| days has been revoked.
Rural carriers have been extend
| ed the privilege OF writing TO the
/ Department direct instead OF
through postmasters, and they have
/ been encouraged to submit sugges-
/ tions which would either improve
| the service or be q benefit to their
welfare without being detrimental
to good service.
More lenient measures have been
adopted in disciplinary cases. and
carriers have been encouraged 20
improve their work by expressions
OF confidence that they would do so
instead of by threats OF serious ac-
! ton in case they failed to show Inn
provement.
Rural carriers are now paid twice
a month instead OF at the end OF
each month. and salary checks are
now received more promptly by the
carriers as the result OF special at
tention being given TO that matter
by the Department.
Deductions on account OF partial
failures are no longer indiscrimin-
ately made by postmasters, as here
tofore deductions OF this nature be
ing made only after each case has
been carefully reviewed and decided
on its merits by the Department
The carrier is no longer penalized
for failure to perform service under
adverse conditions
The matter OF reinstating former
rural carriers who were discontinued
in connection with a revision of the
service, or who were otherwise dis.
continued for cause, where Il 4,
shown that the penalty imposed wai
too severe, and who have been ou
/ Of the service for more than on,
year, has been accomplished through
: the solicitation OF the Department
? and IL has been agreed by the Civi
( Service Commission that, in meritor
81 ious cases. the commission would h
e willing to waive the one year nmita
Z tion and extend the period OF eligi
o. hihty for reinstatement as long a
r five years In cases where the en-
a ploye has performed service for
sufficient length OF time.
Semi-annual inspection OF al
rural routes by postmasters Thi
, has resulted in many changes 10
the betterment Of the service b
eliminating unnecessary travel an
bad roads and extending service
when warranted. for the accommo
datlon OF families not previousl
, conveniently served
!, The regulations have bee
amended so as to provide for tn
sending by postmasters, instea
, OF by the Department, OF notices {
patrons concerning irregularitie
, affecting the boxes maintained b
, them. This has resulted in the i'm
provement OF the service and a ma
terial reduction in the work re
quired Of the clerical force.
, The regulations have been amend
cd so as to provide that notices {
, road officials and rural patrons q
, needed improvements in roads sha
=, be issued by the postmasters il
. stead OF by the Department. It
expected that this will result in fui
ther Improvements in the serviC
and a material reduction in the wor
required in the Department.
The method OF certifying eligibi,
for rural carrier appointments hs
recently been changed. The count
unit has been discontinued and
. local register for each poAom,
y having rural delivery will be mair
tanned This will undoubtedly me,
with favor as Il is unquestionab b
" preferable to the patrons OF rur
!. route to have a local applicant al
pointed to serve them
on February !. 1922. a circuli
y letter was issued to postmasters Sc
ting forth what patrons may do
~ facilitate the work OF the carrie
and to improve the service. viii,
letter it was requested should
/, given as great publicity as possib
without expense TO the Departmer
The reports OF postmasters indica
general compliance with the reque
and contain many expressions OF a
I, proval OF the course followed and
IN the belief that great betterment W
u result
Within the past year the prepar
~ tion OF the book containing the pc
IN tai laws and regulations applicat
w. 20 the rural delivery service has be
completed. This has been issued
&c ali rural carriers,
~ While / tbs difficult to get qu
- unassuming executive OF the Billa
0L LN-na ln l.hln... his nrrn 49,. % q %