Western news and the Libby times. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1920-1933, 1933-04-06
OurGovernment
How 1t Operates
BY Wiliam Brxeksr5
HANDLING THE MAIL

transocean mail planes. but THIS
century has witnessed that develop
ment. There are regular mails now
between North and Central and South
America service operating with much
more frequency than did the transcon-
tlnental mails little more than halt
century ago. And there Is the pro-
Jeeted transatlantic mail. something
much nearer realization than Is gen.
orally anticipated.
These facts are cited merely to show
that the postal service never stands
still, either literally or figuratively. 1t
Is growing at all times, even as our
nation expands. | believe Its history
1ustifies the assertion that no service
of our government has greater fiexi-
billty, none that can adapt itself so
quickly to conditions, as can this
agency of government. Credit for the
development must 20, In large meas
ure, to those men and women who
make up the rank and file of the serv-
ice.
More than 90 per cent of the work
ers of the postal service hold their
places by reason of having met civil
service tests, making their appoint
ment one of permanency.
So much attention has been devoted
to this class. the bulk of the postal
service, as means of contrasting
them with the political appointees who
hold higher posts by title but whose
Importance to you and to me Is not
nearly so great. | believe that the
majority of the political appointees
among the postmasters throughout the
country render d patriotic service 1t
Is unfair to criticize all of them for
the shortcomings of some of their num-
Der, but too often has 1t been found
that postmaster. supported by the
political leaders Of community, Is
not the person whom the majority OF
the patrons of that office would select
But III our country. the spells OF
political victory 60 to the winning
party at the polls. and postmaster
ships constitute ne small part OF the
patronage that can be used to pay
political debts.
The fexibility of the postal service
has permitted 1t to operate on basis
as nearly like private business rs pos
sible 1t has to have general rules
of course, and these have to be rather
rigid, but consider how q postmaster
| Is authorized to arrange for the re-
cefpt of letters from an established
| firm without requiring them to be
stamped and how 1t receives the news
papers without payment of the postage
| In advance. Private business would
| operate that way; 1t would extend
| credit" so to speak to reputable pat
rons. SO the postmaster Is permitted
| to arrange for ''metered" mail. avoid
ing the use of stamps, and for coliec-
ton of the postage Mt stated times.
Newspapers are handled the same
way.
The "metering' of mail Is COM
paratively new practice. Arrange
ments having been made by the firm
or Individual who desires to use the
privilege. the letters are received at
| designated points, either the main or
| branch office, and they are run through
meter for counting and cancellation
of the place where the stamps are
| placed by individuals posting only one
or q few letters. That machine stamps
| No thn
quired. hostage has been paid, which,
of course, 1t has not been, but the post
master knows 1t will be. Millions OF
pieces of first-class mall are sent that
way each year and the practice Is in
creaslng because 1t does away with
labor to attach the stamps, 1t avoids
losses from theft or destruction of
stamps, and 1t saves money for the
government In printing stamps.
In handling newspapers. weight Is
the governing factor, and the postmas-
ter requires periodical reweighing to
arrive at a determination Of postage
due. 1t avoids weighing every ship
ment, thus saving time, and the post
age is paid at intervals thus avoiding
bookkeeping and transfer of smaller
amounts Of money.
Congress has kept Its finger on the
pulse Of the postal service by retain
ing the right to fix the rates that shall
be charged, except with respect to the
airmail service. 1t has granted many
privileges, such as those mentioned
above, however, to meet everyday busi-
ness requirements. Control of the
rates, 1t must be said, properly re-
mains In congress because the federal
legislators are supposed to represent
their constituents, and rate changes
have such far reaching effect that
the power to make them should rest
with the representatives OF those who
pay the toll.
With the airmail, different circum-
stance exists. 1t la In the nature Of a
special service. 1t must be done by
special contract, and none knew when
1t was initiated how successful 1t could
be made or what the cost would have
to be. SO the postmaster general fixes
the rate we all pay when we want to
send a letter or package In such a