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Show POSTAL EFFICIENCY. "With the laudable intention of ascertaining ascer-taining wherein the efficiency of the postoffice department might bo increased, in-creased, and also with a view to collecting col-lecting information respecting causes of complaint, J. C. Koons, first assistant postmaster general, in January sent out a circular letter to various business interests in-terests of the country inviting expressions expres-sions of opinion and suggestions for improvement. im-provement. The replies, according to a bulletin issued by the department, have been both generous in number and helpful help-ful with advice. Almost without exception, ex-ception, the answers were fair and open discussions of the points considered; criticism and there was no lack of it was of the constructive kind. So well impressed was Mr. Koons with the efficacy effi-cacy of the method employed to find out what was the matter with tho service, that he promises that "each complaint or suggestion for improvement in tho service will be transmitted to tho local postmaster so the matter can bo taken up with the writer in person." The bulletin pays that a very largp majority of the letters of reply received re-ceived indicate "adequate and satisfactory satis-factory service." Of complaints the largo number comment on lack of train service and curtailed train schedules. This condition, it is pointed out, has been duo to the war, which made tho elimination of passenger trains neces,-sary neces,-sary in order that motive power might be available for moving troops and war material. Unsatisfactory service coming com-ing under this head must be left -for adjustment to the railroadj administration. administra-tion. - . A number of complaints were received respecting delays, damage and loss of parcel post mail. Tho cause, assigned for deltfy has already been touched upon. Damage is the effect of two causes inadequate packing and improper handling. han-dling. Want of precaution in preparing parcels for transmission is not a competent compe-tent charge against the service. Indifferent Indif-ferent and careless handling is, and Mr. Koons says instructions which will bo rigidly enforced have been issued in regard to handling. Responsibility wdll be fixed and dismissal will follow violations. vio-lations. One of the startlingsitems in connection connec-tion with the nation's mail system has to do with the enormous losses and delays de-lays due to improper, insufficient or illegible addresses. This is illustrated by the fact that during the fiscal year there were sent to the division of dead letters and its branches 14,4ol,S)53 pieces of undelivered first-class mail, and 5G2,-199 5G2,-199 pieces of parcel post which could not be delivered oh account of insufficient insuffi-cient or improper address. "Furthermore, "Further-more, " Mr. Koons continues, "because of the same reasons, millions of letters were sent to the directory sections in postoffices to supply addresses originally origi-nally deficient." Naturally, this entailed en-tailed tremendous extra effort in the aggregate and consequent delay. "If tho senders of parcels will exercise more care in their preparation for mailing, it will be to their interest, as well as facilitate handling," is tho pertinent suggestion. We believe that the users of the United States mails will appreciate fhc efforts of the first assistant postmaster general in endeavoring to remedy defects. de-fects. His activity in the matter at least shows a disposition on tho part of the postal authorities to render better service by learning at first hand just where the faults lie. If the postoffice department continues its policy of inviting in-viting suggestions from tho public, much benelit should accrue. That it is the purpose to do this is indicated in a. statement by Mr. Koons to the effect that "it is my intention to keep in touch .with business interests by informing in-forming them from time to time of the steps taken to improve the service." We feel confident that ho will find the public eager to co-operate, and that he will gain much valuable information from friendly consultation. |