The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-08-20
BASS WILL TAKE
 OATH THURSDAY
 AS POSTMASTER
Snlyer Expresses Appre-
 citation To Patrons Ard Fmployes


 John George Bass, republican ap- pointee for postmaster to succeed Rufus B. Smyer, will take oath of office at 10 o'clock Thursday morning fin the postmaster's office, Federal building, it was learned Tuesday night. Miss Emma Mahoney, chief deputy United States district court clerk, will administer the oath:
 Mir Bass stated that he will assume his new duties immediately following the ceremonies which he has requested be brief. Only Mir. Smyer and a few friends will witness the oath taking.
 Mir. Smyer Tuesday issued his last 0rtler to his employees and made a pub lie statement at the same time to pa irons of the Birmingham post office. To patrons he shid in part:
 '.In severing my connection with the ' Birmingham post office as poastmas- ter, wish to thank the public for fits uniform cooperation and consideration during my eight and half yeArs term of office, wherein have given to the service my entire time, best thought and energy.
 I have been mindful of the fact that post office is a national public utii- ! ity, to be operated for the benefit of the public, and have endeaTored to give to the public the {. best service possible with the means at my com smand. How successful have been is for the public to say.
 Receiptsid Increase,
 During my administration the re sceipts of the office have increased 136 per cent, and mail handled has iIl- creased in larger proportion, while the employees of the office who handled same have increased less than 100 per cent.
 Zone of the most notable, gratify- ing and beneficial changes was the move into our beautiful and well-ap- pointed post office building.
 "Another important change was the order of the post office department es-. Hablishipg this office as central nc counting office of the state, suddenly thrusting upon -1ne the supervisory re- aponsibility of 1,400 offices through out the state, this office handling, as q consequence of the change, about 25,OO0,O ,O0O0 of funds per anuItn..
 Motor Truck Service.
 During my administration l have eecured motor truck service for the transfer of mail between railroad sta tions and the offices and for delivery of parcel post; n e0nveyor system and and an electrically driven circular sorting table extension of carrier de- livery and more frequent and extended collections, ,-au of which contributes to more expeditions handling of mail.
 'sThe Birmingham public has to a large extent contributed to the eff eiency of the office, but the public can and should do more to this end for its own benefit, remembering that it can be made more efficient by cooperation md full compliance with regulations and suggestions of the department and of the local office.
 ssI earnestly request the patrons of fhe office to cooperate fully with my ! successor and help his administration 10 be as sucessnfiz IS feel that mine: Las beet. as Cordially yours,
 ssR. B. SBIYER, Postmaster"
 To his employees he said:
 s'Afy service as postmaster terminat- . ing, take this opportunity of extend ing to you my sincere thanks for your fidelity, loyalty and general assistance to me in making the Birmingham post office one of the best and most eff cient offices throughout the country. This I know to be a fact, whether ad- mitted or not by Otliers and, while not given to self-praise O to throwing flow CTS of praise to others, I trust that l may be pardoned ins saying that. 1 am proud of the organization that you and | have perfected. It is thorough, eff cient, and effective.
 ssTh&re has been no time clock to limit your best thought, interest and honest esdeavor in the service in which we have been engaged during the last eight and a half years, and l congrat ulate my successor in the organization that he will now direct and trust that it will be as loyal and helpful to him