Show BUSINESS IN THE POSTOFFICE DEPARTMENT ENT It will not be a misfortune to the American people eople when their postoffice department shall be conducted on strict business principles And it may even be so much of good fortune that the tho people will insist on having all the other departments reduced to a like system The report of the postmaster general to Congress has happily waked a com comment comment commont ment mont for which Mr Hitchcock is doubt doubtless doubtless doubtless less grateful Apparently there is a big deficit in his department Apparently that deficit is caused by the handling of matter newspapers and magazines Newspapers and maga magazines magazines are managed strictly according to business busin Ss rules and their publishers are compelled to know everything which at all affects their affairs Because of that they know more of cost and ex ox expense expense pense of profits and loss than do the less highly paid appointees in the post postoffice postoffice postoffice office department and so they were in position to challenge many conclusions of the postmaster general But neither Mr Hitchcock nor any other friend of the country In or out of office desires anything less than the best of service to the people Wherefore Where Wherefore Wherefore fore they give respectful attention to the following declaration of the pub publishers publishers lishers 1 That the cost of or carrying and handling matter is at least SO 80 per cent less than the th figures given in I the Presidents message 2 That the amount of matter carried does not unfavorably affect the postoffice Is proved by the th fact that In the year tending June 30 1908 1903 the weight w of second class matter decreased approximately aPI pounds and the postoffice loss los increased I re sed I during the same period 3 That in Canada a country of magnificent distances and long ng hauls h the price for carrying mat matter matter matter ter is What our country charges and the business is profitable though we confess that we are not familiar with the mail mall payments to the j I railroads Incidentally the Canadian postoffice department last year showed a surplus of 4 That the proposition seriously to raise the rate will cause loss of ot revenue to the government the I deficiency will increase as It did in 1908 because It will drive the short hauls to the freight and express lines and the government will get only the unprofitable table part of the trade Doubtless the prevailing system of department management at Washing Washington ton has become less effective than it might be Doubtless the adoption of strict business rules such rules as the publishers have to obey would give the nation better service for much less j money mone It might mean the dismissal of ofa ofa ofa a good many clerks but the nation I I would survive that and the clerks would have to It might lessen lessee the list of party friends to be rewarded by bya a congressman or senator sen tor But it would be so clearly reasonable and profitable that the note of complaint from the unneeded would be drowned In the mighty chorus of approval from the millions of citizens better served There is nothing to fear frota improvement im improvement provement in any branch of the public service And any anyone one who can suggest betterments owes that much of duty to his country |