White Bluffs spokesman. [volume] (White Bluffs, Wash.) 1907-1938, 1933-06-08
OmGopermmemt
How It Operates
BY William Brxckart
HANDLING THE MAIL

TT IS a far cry from stage coaches to
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-
tinental mails little more than half
century ago. And there is the pro-
jected 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 fguratively. 1t
is growing at all times, even as our
nation expands. believe it's history
justif1es the assertion that no service
of our government has greater dexi-
bility, none that can adapt itself so
quickly to conditions, as can this
agency Of government. Credit for the
development must go, In a large meas
ure to those men and women who
make up the rank and file of the serv-
ice.
More than 80 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. 1 believe that the
majority Of the political appointees
among the postmasters throughout the
country render patriotic service. It
is unfair to criticize all Of them for
the shortcomings of some Of their num-
Der, but too often has it 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 in our country, the spoils Of a
political victory go to the winning
party at the polls, and postmaster
ships constitute no small part Of the
patronage that can be used to pay
political debts.
The fexibility of the postal service
has permitted it to operate on basis
as nearly like private business as pos
sible. It has to have general rules,
Of course, and these have to be rather
rigid, but consider how postmaster
is authorized to arrange for the re-
ceipt of letters from an established
firm without requiring them to be
stamped and how it receives the news
papers without payment Of the postage
in advance. Private business would
operate that way; it 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 collec-
ton Of the postage at 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
a meter for counting and cancellation
of the place where the stamps are
placed by individuals posting only one
or few letters. That machine stamps
a cancellation that ayers that the re-
quired postage has been paid, which,
Of course, 1t has not been, but the post
master knows it will be. Millions Of
pieces of first-class mail are sent that
way each year and the practice is in
creasing because it does away with
labor to attach the stamps, it 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 determination of postage
due. It 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 bust
ness requirements Control of the
rates, it 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. It is in the nature of a
special service. 1t must be done by
special contract, and none knew when
It was initiated how successful 1t could