
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SUNDAY, March 25, 1990                   TAG: 9003262162
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: F2   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

POSTAL SERVICE: WHO'S IN CHARGE?

ANOTHER postage increase! Recently I wrote to Congressman Boucher expressing concern about this possibility. He responded that Congress does not determine the postal rate, since this authority was relinquished in the Postal Reorganization Act of 1970.

How convenient! The question becomes, who is in charge and provides oversight of this quasi-governmental agency? Congress never has been known for its constraint in sticking its screwdriver wherever it desires, regardless of whether it has a charter or not. Why should this be an exception?

It is reported that the Postal Service has lost more than 90 percent of its parcel business and that the average wage is $14 an hour. The lines get longer, the service gets poorer. This monster is out of control.

Who will tame it? Congress will, if those who place them in office convince them it is in their best interests. The patter of little feet to the ballot box can be clearly heard on Capitol Hill.

\ ROBERT A. SCHIEK\ BLACKSBURG

by CNB