Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-07-19

Discussion Of President Hoover's de-
cision to investigate the Post Once De-
partment deficit >discloses pride in the
efficiency Of the department and a gen.
eral feeling that the official franking
privilege and political handicaps are
responsible for It's failure to be on q
self-supporting basis.
Speaking of the Thanking privilege.
the New York Sun says: IF Congressman
had postage allowance, like their sta
tionery allowance, instead Of frank, we
should have less of this legalized graft.
Let the President investigate the frank
age waste and try to do away with 1t.
After that 1t will be easier to deter
mine whether or not new postal rates
are needed to end the annual def
cjencies"
Postmaster General Brown estimates
that from now on until 1885" explains
the Indianapolis News, "tle shortage in
regular receipts, measured with dis
bursements, will average S85, 1000, 900
each IL months. not including expendi-
lures planned for new post office build
ings. An allowance for them is ex-
S120,000,000. President Hoover has d.
rected that survey be made, with q
view to economy. It Is to be hoped that
the examination also will include fair
and lucid report on archaic auditing
practices. Hundreds Of thousands of
tons of matter are handled each year
without any charge. The avalanche OF
franked documents includes the output
of Congress and other Federal agencies.
None Of these divisions make an allow
ance of money to offset the cost.
Stranger yet is the fact that those SUI
pervising the postal machinery are not
permitted to take credit for the gratu-
itous service. Heretofore there
has been too much loose talk about the
ACCESSIBILITY Of raising charges to post
office patrons"
Announcement Of the Presidents
purpose" according to the Waterbury
Republican, "reopens the long-debated
question whether or not the postal
service should be made self-supporting.
The fact that in practice 1t has not
been made so suggests that the stronger
opinion inclines to the belief that the
burden Of its support may not unjustly
be spread more widely than IL is pos
sible to spread 1t by compelling imme-
date users OF the mails to bear its
whole weight. The postal service is a
vast national asset, responsible In very
large measure for the general prosperity
OF the Nation. Millions Of people share
in this prosperity who contribute but
trif1es to the support of the service.
That they should help to support 1t
through general taxation is not un-
just
"A remarkable sample Of efficiency"
Is seen by the Richmond News Leader.
That paper reminds the public that at
Is rarely that man fails to receive a
letter addressed to him" and that "the
his moneys worth In his dealings with
the mails" The Williamsport Sun adj
vises the Government to make the de-
partment pay for itself II It be nos
sible, but not by drastic emasculation
Of its present admirable efficiency"
Items which enter into the unfavor-
able showing are mentioned by the
San Antonio Express: Congress lat
terly reduced postage rates, but revised
upward the postal workers wage scale;
the air mail service, operated at loss
by the Government, was expanded
greatly during the year." The Express
believes that evidently the President
intends no radical departure from
time honored practices. Reorganization
efforts will be directed rather toward
eliminating waste and increasing EN-
cheney"
"The complacent policy In the past"
states the Louisville Courier journal,
lis easy to understand stand; The depart.
IucIlt - . lhSIlly ocI1SItitO ullAIuIS Oh
business and politics, at once in closest
contact Of any Federal service bureau
with the people and continuing the
largest supply Of local congressional
patronage. It must keep UP with the
demand for service on an enlarging
scale. In that respect 1t constantly has
improved; but regardless Of expense,
naturally, there are no stockholders to
be considered"
con the Post Once Department" as
viewed by the Albany Evening News,
depend business and the general hap
piness, ana welfare Of all the people. II