Rensselaer Republican, Volume 22, Number 13, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 5 December 1889 — THE POSTAL SERVICE. [ARTICLE]

THE POSTAL SERVICE.

Postmaster General Wnnamaker*s annual report was made pub lie, Saturday. He believes oar postal facilities are inadequate at present for the establishment of a parcels past Sunday wprk at the offices is not, in his. opionion, warranted by the benefits derived. He deems better postal service as of more importance than cheaper letter rates. He says: “The only method I can suggest by which all their desires may be gratified is not merely to talk about application of business principles to the department, but really to apply them. It isjiot to work in poor quarters; it is not to transport mails a-foot when they should go in. railroad trains; it is not to tolerate disloyal or listless employes if better ones Gan be had; it is not finally to keep unwillingly abreast of the times. It is always to lend the times. “What is needed first is a Fourth Assistr cut Postmaster General, to be in direct charge of the great divisions of the railway mail, the foreign mail, the moneyorder office, the registry and supplies divisions, and lift out of the office of the First Assistant Postmaster General all duties, except thoso of studying men for appointment, and establishing offices, changing sites, examining reports cf inspectors, an<L of the bond division. Create a new place and find the best educated postal mau in the service, at the Postofflce Department, or in any o' -1 tLe 19,000 postoffloes, and make him the general manager.’ ’ _l_ Mr. Wanamaker says the postoffices should be divided into districts with a supervisor over each. Re reviews the controversy with the Western Union, and says he had hoped to submit a plan for uniting the postal and telegraph facilities, having carriers distribute night messages and giving a low telegraph rate to the pub lie. He thinks a contract should be entered into on bids, connecting the telegraph service with free delivery offices, postage stamps to be used in payment. Touching civil service, the report runs thus: “The postal department has an individuality of its own. The ordinary good clerk of the government might suit perfectly well in any other of the civil places, but for postoffice work he must also learn a trade. There ought to be a kind of apprenticeship with promotions that would produce motion throughout the ranks from lowest to highest place. With 150,009 employes rightly selected, who feel a proper pride in representing the government and are alive every day to improve, tho postal service would soon become the best in tho world. It may bo gravely questioned whether the present mode of selecting inspectors will furnish the peculiar ability which the government should command.” The report recommends that larger discretion be given for making contracts for carrying foreign mails with American registered vessels. Free delivery is recommended for towns of 5,000 inhabitants. It is not time to establish 1 cent postage. Postal savings banks in 10,000 fourth class offices are recommended. The department is not yet ready to consolidate third and fourth-class matter and conduct a general parcels post because of its great expense.