New Britain Herald Newspaper, December 6, 1918, Page 7

NEW BRITAIN DAILY HERALD, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 6, 1918 $11.00 $6.50 $20.00 QOur Contracts Placed Last July Before the Advance in Price. YouGetthe Benefit $3.90 BURLESON'S ANNUAL REPORT SHOWS POSTAL DEVELOPMENT Increase in Revenue Amoun ts to $14,749,854.88 Over That of a Year Ago—Telephone and Cable Man- agement One of Biggest Features of Year. Dec. §.—The report of Burle ‘Washington Postmaster General that an done by the during the year ended June 30, Not crease of postage for purpo: of war revenue, which went to the count of the United States treasury and is not a part of the postal fund, there was an increase of $14,749,845.88 in the fncome of the postal service com- pared with that of the previous year. The increase of expenditure amount- ed to $4,995,010.07 The war revenue United States treasury through the mcreased postage rates and paid into the general fund of the treasury up to June 30, 1918, was $44,500,000. Omit- ting this from the reckoning of the accounts of the postal service, the strictly postal revenues were for the fiscal year $19,64 in excess of the expenditures, which is more than double the largest surplus ever before sarned by the service. on shows unprecedented business was post office department 1918 the taking into account in- collected for the Among the more ters pertaining to tioned in the report are ing: Telegraphs and Telephones. Government ownership of the tele- graphs and telephones is again rec- ommended. The postmaster general “The present war have fully dem- that the pringciple of own- the telegraphs and tele- phones is not only, sound but practi- cal. It has been nicessary as a war emergency measure for the congress to consider legislation authorizing the president to assume control of the tel- cgraph and telephone systems of the couniry. While such control is tem- , and will exist only until the tion of the treaty of peace, yet results can be accomplished when these systems are owned the government, made a part of postal establishment, and operat- ed solely with a view to serving the public and not of guaranteeing returns on important mat- legislation men- the follow- of the onstrated ership of only by the the invest- experiences as a result ¢ making profit or | ment Government ownership of the telegraphs and telephones should no longer be delayed, and the action of congress in this matter is urgently recommended.’ Bonding of Government Employces. To more adequately protect the government and afford relief to the officers and employes of the postal service, it is again recommended that the department be authorized to bond its own employees through the estab- lishment and maintenance of a guar- anty fund derived from assessments levied against and collected from such employees in lieu of the present plan of securing bonds from com- mercial bonding companie In his report the postmaster general says: “In former reports the postmaster | general has pointed out not only the cumbersome method of bonding offi- cers, contractors, and employes of the post office department but the exce; sive premiums paid for fidelity bonds. He has repeatedly urged that author- ity be granted to substitute a gu ty fund in lien of these bon fund to bhe established and main- tained by assessments fixed and pre- seribed by the department. The vex- atious problems which confront the department in the trans business because of del part of the surety companies, the prompt designations of persons to act in lieu of postmasters di placed because of delinquencies, have demonstrated fully the wisdom of this recommendation, and legislation granting authority to ecstablish a guaranty fund for the purposes out- lined is earnestly recommended.” Underground Electric Railway. As a substitute for the pneumatic- tube service, which has been discon- tinued because it failed to meet the constantly increasing demands made upon it and to relieve mail conges- tion in New York city, it is urged “that an appropriation of $1,500,000 be made by the congress so as to en- able the department to commence without delay construction of a tun- nel between the Grand Central sta- tion and the Pennsylvania terminal post office.” Extension of Civil Service. To further eliminate partisan poli- tics from the postal service, to rec- ognize merit and efliciency, and in the interest of the public service, it is again recommended that the neces- sary legislation be enacted to include in the c ied civil service the posi- tion of postmaster at Presidential of- fices; and to extend and perfect the efficiency system obtaining in the postal establishment, it is also recom- mended that the positions of assist- ant postmasters general and that of purchasing agent of the post office department be included in the classi- fied civil service. Postal Stations. The establishment of central a. counting and non-accounting office: has illustrated fully the advisabilit; of the recommendation heretofore made for the establishment of branch offices. At the present time such branches can not be established in villages where the population is less than 1,500 or which is more than 5 miles distant from the corporate limits of the city. Were these restric- tions removed and the departmenty autkorized to establish branch omces\' | { ! of the department B. C. PORTER SONS it wouid in no way affect the status of the post office, the incumbent, or the service to the public, but would great- ly simplify accounting methods. Leg- islation permitting the department to establish stations without regard to the population or the distance from the corporate limits is again urged. In this connection attention is direct- ed to the letter of the auditor of the post office department, who has ac- | complished so much in the matter of placing the accounting and auditing upon an up-to- date and businesslike basis and who gives most substantial reasons why the authority requested should be granted. Clerk Hirc At Third-Class Offices An appropriation is made annually for clerk hire for post offices of the third class. These offices are of the presidential class, paying salaries to the postmasters of from $1,000 to $1,- 900 per annum, inclusive, in the smaller of these offices little clerical assistance Is needed, but in the larger considerable help is required to handle the work promptly. The law fixes the m mum amount allowed for clerk hire, which varies from $300 to $800 per annum, according to the size of the office. The maximum al- lowance is not necessary in all In- stances. The high wages paid in many of these smaller localities dur- ing the past year made it difficult in some instances to obtain sufficient clerical help for the maximum amount provided, and some tempor- ary rellef should be granted post- masters in these instances, however, when conditions again become nor- mal there should be no diffieulty in securing the necessary help at the ! amounts heretofore authorized. To relieve the existing conditions at post offic of the third class it is felt that durin the next fiscal year the department should be granted author- ity to allow where necessary an amount not in excess of 50 per cent. more than the maximum now fixed by law, and that the congress should enact legislation to this effect. BRITISH CRUISER ARRIVES. Boston, Dec. 6.—The British cruiser Devonshire, commanded by Captain G. B. Powell, has arrived here to par- ticipate in the Britain Day celebration on Saturday. Get Rxd o(: That Persistent Cough Stop that weakening, persistent cough or cold, threatening throat or lung affections, with Eckman's Alterative, the tonic and upbuilder of 20 years' successful use. 80c_and $1.50 bottles from druggists, or from CKMAN LABORATORY, Philadelphia OOK On Page 3 and Read the News Ad of the Big Doings at LAZARUS store Tomarrow The Store of a Thousand Gifts. Watch OurWindows. New Pieces Every Day -, R. S. LOVETT RESIGNS. ‘Washington, Dec. 6.—®Robert S Lovett has resigned as director of i railroad administration’s division «2 capital expenditures and will retura January 1 to his former duties chairman of the executive commit.ce of the Union Pacific. BETTER THAN CALOMEL Thousands Have Discovered Dr Edwards’ Olive Tablets are a Harmless Substitute, r, Edwards’ Qlive Tcblets—the substi e for calomel — are a mild but sur¢ cative, and their effcct on the liver \imost instantaneous. They are the re: *f Dr. Edwards’ determination not to iver and bowel complaints with calonici iis efforts to banich it brought out thest little olive-colored tablets. ‘These pleasant little tablets do the gooé that calomel does, but have no bad aftes effects, They don't injure the teeth lile strong liquids or calomel. They take hold of the trouble and quickly correct it. W cure the liver at the expense of the teet! Calomel sometimes plays havoc with the gums. Sodostrong liquids. It is best not to take calomel, but to let Dr. Edwards | Olive Tablets take its place. Most headaches, “dullness” and that lazy feeling come from constipation and a disord, liver. Take Dr. Edwards' Olive Tabiets when you feel “loggy” and “heavy.” Note how they “clear” clouded brain and how they “perk up” the spirita, Oc and 25¢ a box. All druggists,