davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1955-01-11

methods, techniques and ma
chimes
"A comprehensive program
should be authorized that VIII
Cd permit Government agen-
cies to use outside facilities for
training required to meet OPP
Grating needs when it Is in the
Governments interest, co con-
solidate IN one law the training
authorities now carried IN many
separate statutes. and g, the
establishment Of Governments
wide policies and effective con-
trolls on the use Of outside train
ing facilities.
OVERSEAS PERSONNEL
MANAGEMENT.
At present many different
Government agencies conduct q
wide variety Of governmental
functions In the territories and
foreign countries ranging from
such activities as postal service
and aid to veterans to such
newer operations as economic
and military aid and technical
development programs. The
development of sound personnel
practices has not always been
able to keep pace, with the
necessarily accelerated growth
of Federal operations overseas.
The Civil Service Commission
is now taking action. in co-op-
Grafton with the Federal agen-
.cies concerned. to extend the
competitive service to those
overseas that should
be included within the regular
civil service system. This will
be done in the near future and
does not require new legislation.
The State Department already
has under way an action pro-
gram designed to improve per-
sonnet administration in both
its overseas and departmental
activities at home. This program
results from the recommends
tons made by a committee Of
distinguished citizens appointed
by the Secretary Of State in
March, 1854. Certain features Of
the program win require new
legislation in the form of amend
ments to the Foreign Service Act
of 1916. These are now in prep
aration by the State Depart
ment.
There is also a need for i'm
provements in certain conditions
affecting all United States citi-
zenS employed overseas. Such
matters as allowances, leave,
housing, retirement. and health,
and medical care as well as the
whole range of problems posed
by the management Of alien per-
sonnet, require attention. AS a
first step, the Civil Service Com
mission will propose for. consid-
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1955-01-11

ing five-point program for the
Post ONCE Department:
/. Approval Of the new salary
plan and q 5 per cent increase
in basic salary rates.
Q. Adoption by Congress Of
the policy that henceforth the
Post Office Department shall be
self supporting.
8. Separation of those postal
costs to- be paid bN the patron
from those costs which should
be paid by general taxation.
4. establishment by Congress
Of a permanent commission au-.
thorized to prescribe postal rate
adjustments under policy guild
ance of Congress.
5. Enactment by Congress Of
an interim rate bill which will,
pending activation Of the Rate
Commission. provide immediate
revenue to meet proposed pay
increases and reduce the postal
deficit.
Approval of this program will
be in the public interest for 1t
will further assure efficient serv-
ice by the Post Office Depart
nnent.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1955-01-11
Eisenhower Urges Poy Increase and Voluntary.

The teri OF President Eieen-
hoiDeYis message to Congress
on Federal pay and personnel
policies folloUs::r
To the Congress Of the United
States:
The Eighty Third Congress
made an outstanding record in
progressive personnel legislation
for the benefit Of the Govern
ment and its employees. Among
other steps forward, the new
laws improved overtime pay
practices, established a Govern
ment-wide incentive awards pro-!
gram, removed restrictive con-
trolls on appointments. author
lied group life Insurance and
extended the benefits Of the ui-
employment insurance system to
Federal workers. These changes
have taken US q long way toward
the goal Of combining the best
practices Of private employers
with the special demands Of pub
lie service.
I am now recommending the
enactment Of legislation to inn
prove other aspects Of Federal
personnel management. includ-
ing adjustments in basic pay
scales, group health insurance,
employe training, personnel
practices affecting Government
employees stationed overseas. and
increased travel allowances. Spe-
cific legislative proposals for car
rying out these recommendations
will be submitted shortly by the
Civil Service Commission, the
State Department and the Blu
reau of the Budget. Their pur-
pose will be to bring the average
governmental remuneration into
line with prevailing ilon-govern-
mental standards. I earnestly l
urge favorable consideration Of
them by the Congress.
ADJUSTMENTS OF PAY
SCALES.
Pay adjustments are needed
ID to recognize more fully the
differences between the duties
and responsibilities of positions
Of varying levels. ca to relieve
as far as possible, under the
present ceiling, the increasing
compression between the lower
and higher salaries, and (3) to i
take into account the decline
in the real income Of many
Federal employees.
The inequities and deficiencies
existing in the present pay scales
Of the Classification Act of l949,
as amended, should be corrected.
Similar adjustments should also
be made in the pay schedules
provided for employees subject
to the Foreign Service Act Of
1916, as amended, and employees
In the Veterans Administration
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1955-01-11

ard plan Of uniform dement's or
an individual community when
more suitable to employees in
that location. It is proposed
that the Government contribute
approximately one-third the cost
of the insurance for the em-
pIoyes and their dependents.
It is estimated that the annual
cost to the Government win be
approximately SIS million.
Under the standard plan q
comprehensive set Of uniform
benefits win be offered. including
reimbursement for the costs of
disqualification. surgery and 9th
er personal health services. The
newest health insurance fea-
lures, such as major medical or
catastrophe coyerage. are i'm
cluded. Appropriate provisions
viii be made for the continuance
of substantial protection for
employees and their dependents
after they retire In the future
q valuable feature inasmuch as
health insurance protection is
frequently beyond the reach Of
those at the older ages.
Where the standard plan is
not desired, provision is also
made for employees in the vari-
Gus localities to purchase. with
Government contributions. APP
proved plans Of health insur-
ance especially suited to their
needs.
All types of insurers are to
be utilized under orderly proc
esses established and supervised
by the Civil Service Commission.
This ,contributory system has
been developed through the CO.
operative efforts Of representa-
tives of employe groups, insur-
ing organizations and the lead
ers among the professions in the
field Of health.
EMPLOYE TRAINING.
Attainment Of the greatest
possible efficiency in govern
mental operations is a major
goal of this administration.
Achievement of this goal requires
the effective use of training ia
cilities outside as well as within
Government to maintain a high
level Of competence In the Fed
eral civilian career service.
Most civilian agencies of
Government do not have COM
and adequate train
ing programs, chiefly because
there is no general statutory
authority to use outside train
ing facilities Although 1t is
clearly in the Governments in
terest to do SO, many agencies
now cannot send employees to
private laboratories. industrial
plants, universities, or State
agencies for critically needed
training in the use Of new
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1955-01-11
Text Of Eisenhower Message on Postal Salaries and Higher Mail Rates

major factor contributing to the
postal deficit. The rates of post
age on such matter should be
increased so that the users Of
this class of mail pay q propor-
tionately fair share Of postal
revenues.
In view of the recurring fiscal
problems of the Post Once De-
partment and of the heavy bur-
den which postal deficits con-
tinue to impose on the Federal
treasury. / strongly recommend
| to Congress the formal adop-
ton of q policy which will ensure
that In the future the Post ONCE
Department will be essentially
self supporting.
Certain services which are per-
formed by the Post ONCE, such
as those for the blind. are a part
of general welfare services. The
cost of such services should not
be borne by users Of the mails.
Expenditures for them. and for
services performed for the Gov
and met by direct appropriation.
Suggests Commission.
II the Post Once Is success
fully to meet the challenge Of
the future it's prices must be suf-
ficiently flexible to reflect
changes in costs and the devel-
oping needs of q dynamic econ
omy. It is my belief that an in
dependent Commission entrust-
ed with the authority to establish
and maintain fair and equitable
postal rates can best provide this
needed fiexibility.
There are also other advan-
tages. Such a Commission, guided
by policies laid down by the
Congress, would have the time
and facilities to make thorough
analytical studies before pre-
scrihing rate changes. A Com
mission well versed in the eco
Monies of modern pricing prac-
tees can continuously appraise
and reappraise the soundness Of
| the postal rate structure. Legis-
lation to secure these ends should
be enacted by Congress.
With these views In mind I
recommend to Congress the
adoption of a temporary increase
| In postal rates as an interim
measure, and the establishment
and activation within the interim
period OF a permanent Commits
sion to prescribe future rate adj
justments' under broad policy
guidance of Congress.
Let me reiterate the financial
problems Of the postal service
result, In large measure, from
lack Of q positive program lead.
| ing towards a well defined fiscal
goal. I am. therefore, recon-
tmending to Congress the follow
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1955-01-11

World War II have affected all
classes Of mail. II Is desirable
that the rates governing each
class of mail be advanced in fan
proportion. The Committees Of
Congress responsible for postal
rate legislation will, of course
want to consider carefully the
specific rates for each class Of
mail. The Postmaster General
will soon submit TO Congress, In
addition to his views on increases
in postal pay, detailed recon-
mendations for raising postal
rates to more reasonable levels
/ wish to emphasize at this time
a few Of the major considera-
tions which seem to me impor-
tant in raising rates.
/. First-class mail has always
provided by far the greater part
Of postal revenues. In 1888 the
revenue contribution of first
class mail was more than SIS per
cent of total Post Office reve-
nues. In the last fiscal year
first-class mail provided only 40
per cent Of such revenues al
though the proportion sof first
class volume to the total volume
was only three percentage points
lower than In the earlier year.
The failure Of this type mail To
maintain its revenue contribu-
ton is a major factor in the
present postal deficit. There, Is,
therefore. an urgent need to In
crease the rates Of postage Of
first-class mail.
Postal rates are payments
made by users Of the mails for
services received. The rate
established for each service
should reflect the value of that
service In terms Of speed, pri-
ority Of handling, and the privi-
leges Incorporated In each class
of mail. II these factors are
taken into consideration In rate
making, the revenue contribu-
ton OF first-class mail is clearly
inadequate.
The privacy, security and
swift dispatch Of letter mail: the
priority Of service at ali times, ir
all places, and the intrinsic
value Of such mail are factors
which are pertinent to postal
rate-making in addition to the
cost factor.
But the present Scent rate
for first-class letter mail has moi
been increased in almost a guar.
ter Of a century. During this
period the costs Of all goods and
services have almost doubled.
am convinced that the American
people will understand, appreci-
ate. respect and support Con-
gressional action to provide fol
q long-overdue rate increase on
letter mail which win 60 fai
towards balancing the postal
budget.
z. The revenues derived from
second-ciaSs mail are clearly In
adequate. These rates, which
apply to newspapers and mag
azines, should be increased until
such matter makes q fair and
reasonable contribution to postal
revenues. The Postmaster Gem
eral will recommend q two-step
increase In second-class rates
which win enable publishers to
adjust more readily to the pro-
posed rate changes.
3. Third-class mail consists
largely Of advertising matter.
In fiscal year 1854 the revenue
contribution of such mail fell
substantially below the cost Of
providing this service and YVES q
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1955-01-11

FOLLOWING Is the teEt OF
President Eisenhower's mes
sage to Congress outlining a
fue- point postal rate and
mage boost program:
To the Congress Of the United
States: IA 1 80
The Post ONCE Department,
In its daily operations, affects
the entire life of the Republic
from the family home to the
great industry. A vast business
type enterprise within Govern
ment, ~the Post Office DEPART
ment. consequently, requires a
continuing vigilance that its
methods, practices and policies
assure the most efficient possible
service to the public. The
measures recommended in this
message are designed to that
end.
Last August 20 in announcing
my disapproval of H. r.. 7774,
IAN Act to Increase the Rates
Of Compensation of CLASSIFIED.
Postal and Other Employees Of
the Government, and for Other
Purposes, !" I expressed a purpose
to continue to encourage the
enactment Of legislation to cor
rect obvious distortions in the
pay scales Of the postal service
and to provide for a more proper
and effective relationship be-
tween pay and work performed.
I also pointed out the neces-
sity Of adequate postage rates
In order to check a deficit in
the operation Of the Post ONCE
Department which, since World
War II, has reached the stag
gering total Of more than 81
billion.
An increase in the average
wage Of postal employees. along
with correction Of the serious
inequities in the salary struc-
ture, is an essential step in
bringing the wage scale into
line with non-governmental
standards and In furthering the
progressive personnel program
to which the administration Is
committed. The increase must
be accompanied by a salary plan
which will place the wages for
postal service positions In proper
relationship to each other so
that inequities will be elimi-
mated, incentive for advance
ment offered and the principle
Of higher pay for more difficult
and responsible work followed.
Lists Necessary Action.
In order to accomplish these
detectives the Postmaster Gem
erai will submit to the Congress
q new postal salary plan. along
with a 5 per cent increase in
basic salary rates. This plan will
include reasonably detailed de-
scriptions Of the series Of key
positions to which the great
majority Of postal employees are
assigned. A rate range for each
of these positions will be rec
commended, and together this
series of rate ranges will make
up a related. uniform and equit-
able salary schedule.
The Congress viii be asked to
include the key position descrip-
tons and their appropriate SAL
airy ranges in the legislation,
thus assigning specific wage
rates to the bulk Of the positions
common to all ofiices Of the
Postal Service.
The Post Once Department
should then be granted the au-
thority to allocate the remaining
positions, held BY. the relatively
few employees whose work is not
covered by akey position. TO the
proper level In the salary sched-
ule ON the basis Of q comparison
of the duties and responsibilities
of these positions with the duties
and Responsibilities Of the kcy
positions.
In the ALLEGATION Of the posi-
tions other than the key posi-
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1955-01-11


lions 10 the proper saiary level
an appear procedure VII pc pro-
Moeo. rurener' 20 IIlsuIe siiat
tne salary pian WIZ los Work 70
gne ulsauvan.ase y aLy en-
p5oye' Mle iss.sia.ioii ploposeu
VII LIicolpola s s $3.50. =
lnng as fine ennnlove occi,uies
the same or 4 position compara-
HE tn that which h held Al the
time 81 the installation of the
plan
r,,;. ,.,ss,a.,,r s,,o,,,d e,,rni.
nata t,,e ;,,sr,,;t;.. inhsrent IN
tha , ~, ;nf,aviiie svstero
s,h,o,, ,.so,,iros ass;g,,caot ~ an
s,,,,,,a,aas - ,;,e;taS r,,n,hsr
~ ioh titl.s il r,onv eases hav.
;,,n ~ ~ ~s,a t;o,, - tte r,ork act,,.
ally performed. The present
practice of paving salaries to
some employees on the basis of
the number of cubic feet in the
area they supervise. or solely in
relation tn the number of en.
ployees under their direction,
would be replaced by a system
requiring that salaries be based
on the actual duties and respon-
sibilities Of the position.
Under this plan. postmasters
OF the Nation would receive SAL
aries commensurate with the
volume Of work and the level of
the responsibility of their offices
rather than solely on the basis
of cash receipts which presently
govern their compensation. This
practice results in discrimination
against those holding ofiices
where incoming mail represents
most OF the business volume.
The total cost of wage adjust
ments in the Postal Service is
estimated at $l29 million year.
! recommend adoption of legis-
lation incorporating these propo-
sails.
The aad Congress- authorized
annronriations n he made for
the furnishinr AZ uniforms or
the navment a. an annual al
lowance III emn,nves incI,,dinu
those # the Post ofIsce nenart-
nnent REQUIRED ~ IAN ~ reC,,-
lation ~ wear nrescrihed mi.
form while IN official dntv This
nea cure when rongrsss ,nakes
fnnds availahle wilI henef1t Post
nface eynrloves hv an estimated
sIas m;iiicn ) vear
am Iscoi'.l.,sl.u.a.s - az
health insurance plan to round
out the Federal personnel bene-
fits program enacted by the 83rd
Congress. This program already
has provided group life insur-
ance, unemployment compensa-
ton, elimination Of restrictions
on permanent promotions and
reinstatements. adjustment Of
the statutory limit on the num-
her of career employees. elimina-
ton of arbitrary restrictions on
accumulation of annual leave,
and a liberalised incentive
awards system.
az. WISH ,,, y fs asnn, ,y pu s,sn.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1955-01-11

occurred year after year. Clearly
1t Is time to reafirm the need
for sound fiscal MANAGEMENT of
the Post ONCE Department and
to develop q positive program
towards this end
In fiscal 1854 the Post Office
Department received revenues of
$2,268, 000, 900 for services per-
formed at q cost Of $2.667, 000,-
OOO,, thus leaving a deficit Of
1899 million in its operation. The
services performed by the Post
Once Department are Of meas
urable value to the recipients.
When the rates Of postal serv-
ices fail to provide sufficient rev.
enues to meet the total cost Of
the service, the difference must
be made up by general tax rev
enues.
A practice Of this kind is nei-
ther equitable nor reasonable; it
is neither good business nor good
government. Even If a case could
be made for regarding the postal
patron and the taxpayer as one
and the same, prudence and good
sense would compel us to face
the fact that 1t is far more eff
cient to collect the necessary
revenues in direct exchange for
services at the post Office window
than by the more costly methods
OF general taxation,
The Post Office is constantly
working to reduce the deficit by
improving the efficiency Of its.
operations. During the last two.
years substantial progress has
been made in organization, mail
handling. transportation, mech
anization. record keeping and
accounting methods. The Post
master General has also taken
the initiative in increasing rates
and fees within his jurisdiction.
Shows Reversal Of Trend.
As q result Of these measures
there has been q recent reversal
of the postwar trend Of ever
increasing postal deficits. These
are the operating deficits for
each Of the last I'VE years:
{at ! Z
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1955-01-11

The large deficits in the post
war years are. in part, a direct
consequence Of the same infia-
tionary increases in costs which
all business operations have
faced. Private business has In
creased prices of goods and
services to Offset increased costs
Of production. The Post ONCE
operates In the same economic
climate as private business. It
must meet rising costs in very
much the same way.
Since 1916 the largest part Of
the increase in postal expendi-
lures is accounted for by salary
increases legislated by Congress
as follows:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1955-01-11

These wage adjustments, COM
bined with an expansion in the
number OF postal employees nee
essary to handle the greater vol
ume Of mail. have resulted Ii an
increase In total salary costs
from 1858 million In l945 to
$1,000, 100000 In the last fiscal
year.
Cltes Need fer Action.
The Increases In wages and
other costs since the end Of
The Nome nugget., 1955-09-28
Nome Blueberries
 Enjoyed in Seattle

Blueberries picked in Nome on Sunday, Sept. 4, by Mrs. Elsie Engstrom, and arriving in Seattle on Monday, were enjoyed by Mrs. Muriel Dustin at her birthday party on the 9th.
 Folded between two crisp crusts, the pie did not take second place to the candle-bedecked cake by any means. Tn fact, Mrs. Dustin would like to have been out at the camp of the Basin Creek Mining Company to have gathered this delicious treat with her old friend.
The Nome nugget., 1955-09-28
Three Vessels Expected To Arrive Next Week

The Alaska Steamship Co. agent advises that their new ship the Fortuna, which is under charter with contractor supplies, is sched- uled to arrive here Oct. 2.
 The Coastal Rambler, regular supply ship, will arrive about Oct. 5 and discharge part of it's freight and proceed to Teller and Unalakleet, returning to Nome to complete discharging.
 The Tonsina is now discharging freight at Kotzebue where agent Walt Sipprell is assisting.
 Latest report on the ANS North Star was from Shishmaref where they were discharging supplies.
The Nome nugget., 1955-09-28
GET YOUR REFUND FOR POST OFFICE BOX KEY

Postmaster Marge Bohrer has announced that advance deposits on post office lock boxes are no longer required by the Post Of flee. All persons having boxes and keys are requested to pick up their refunds at the postoffice.
 Anyone losing a key will be required to pay 50 cents for new one, however, or the same charge if they need more than two keys for post office box.
The Nome nugget., 1955-09-28
MARGARET HELLER
 IN FORTUNE ARTICLE BACK FROM VACATION

Margaret Heller, local manager of Alaska Airlines, who has been on vacation, returned yesterday after visit win her sister, Chris tine, who is well known here. Christine is teaching at the Uni versity of Utah this year.
 Margaret Heller was featured in an Alaskan article in Fortune Magazine in August and her pie ture appeared in the article for her outstanding work here.
The Nome nugget., 1955-09-28
Mrs. l.. Virginia Brown Sponsors Young Peoples Dance At USO Building

Plans for the first party in the former USO Club building under the sponsorship of L. Vir- ginia Brown, owner of the Nome Theater, have been announced.
 Mrs. Brown said the party is for all the youth of the community, including teen-agers, servicemen, young married adults and all the young people who like to dance.
 She said the dance will be run on USO rules which means that no liquor will be allowed.
 Other parties are planned and plans are under way to use the building on a non-profit basis for community projects of many kinds.
 Members of the former USO Board are being invited to have a Hook see" Saturday evening and be on hand for the floor show.
 The management regrets that the club room is completely stripped of furniture as it was all taken out when the USO moved out, but they hope to have chairs before the next event takes place.