Evening star., 1925-12-07
Recommendations Ignored.


The suggestions submitted by the
department to the special joint sub
committee provided for certain changes
IN postage rates, upon which 1t was
estimated that an additional amount
OF approximately $66. 800 900 would be
received" said Mr. New. The bill as
passed did not follow these recon-
.nendations except with respect to the
special services and u few points re-
Earding the classes of mail matter.
After the passage of the act the de-
partment estimated that the new rates
would produce approximately ,750,-
600 during the year following, pro-
Vlded they did not materially disturb
the amount OF maiingS and business
to he expected under usual conditions.
Since the rates went into effect, statiS-
tics have been carefully collected and
estimates made as to the probable in
crease in revenues resulting from the
new rates. and il is estimated that this
increase for the fiscal year 1926 will
he approximately s32, 200, 900. 1t is
therefore evident that the provisions
for meeting the salary increases will
probably raise less than one-half the
amount involved"
Mr. New said if there had been no
salary increases to pay out the cash
deficit Of the department would have
been STAT 1928. or about half Of
hat for 1924. and the operating deficit
would have been s17,155, ,40O.36, or the
same decrease for the preceding fiscal
year.
Business Increases.
Mr.. New reported an increase in
business OF the department in line
with the advance throughout the
country. Additional post office and
transportation facilities have been fur
~
been extended and the efficiency Of the
service generally has been main
tanned
Outstanding among the Postmaster
Generals recommendations are: More
adequate retirement provisions. group
life insurance for postal employees, au-
thoriZa ton for a payment of a differ
entlal for night work, increase in the
amount of accumulated sick leave
which may be used by employees of the
postal service and acquisition of an
archives building and an addition to
the new city post office.
The annuitieS received by retired
employees are entirely too small to
meet the requirements of ordinary
living conditions and the maximum
should he suitably increa sed," said the
Postmaster General Such a modifi-
cation of law would be justified by
every consideration of humanity and
Justice, as we'll as result in ultimate
economy to the Government by includ-
ing retirements without requests for
extensions of service
The fund from which these an
nuities are paid is esta blished and
maintained through deductions from
the employees salaries The annual
expenditure is far below the annual
aggregate of additions to the fund and
there is at present approximately
S4J.OOO,n0 in the Treasury to the
credit of the fund. 1t Is estimated
hat il will be a number of years be-
fore the Government will be asked to
meet any part of the expenditures" D."
Insurance Sought.
Mr.. New asked for legislation au-
thorizlnE him to contract for group
life Insurance covering the postal en-
rloNeS to the extent to which they
desire to participate and without in
TOlvinG any approximation by the
Government for payment therefor.
The legislation. he said. should au-
ihorize the setting up of the proper
machinery for handling the insurance
which wond include authority to
make pay roll deductions from the pav
"f those insured upon their written
authorization. the cost of the insllr-
an"f 80 be borne by the employees in
Surel
An addition to the rear part of the
Washington iCtv Post Office building
mere. on ground available and owned
hN the G""ernment, should be pro-
rided at the earliest possible date to
take care of the requirements Of the
most Office. post office garage, terminal
railway post office and division of
equipment and supplies. Mr. New said,
The erection of an archives build
ing her" also is a necessity to the
Post office Department. and ne added.
1t Is earnestly recommended that the
necessary LEGISLATION for its early coh-
Struction and comDletIon he enacted
by Congress. The assignment of
space in such building will relieve to
certain extent the congestion now
existing in the several departmental
buildings and at the Same time pro-
vide the protection which is neces-
sary for valuable records and docu-
ments.'