Still a First-Class Service

I worked for the U.S. Postal Service nearly 38 years, the last three as a corporate executive, before retiring in early 2005, so I read the Jan. 15 Business story "Saving the Post Office; As Mail Usage Drops, USPS Faces a Whirlwind of Change" with interest.

Granted, the Postal Service realized a profit in 2005, but it was only about 2 percent of operating revenue. The organization's goal is to break even, yet despite an enormous effort by its executives, management and employees, it has managed to achieve that goal only a few times since reorganization 35 years ago.

Little noted is that the Postal Service is now debt-free, having shrunk a nearly $11 billion deficit to zero last year without a rate increase or a larger burden of taxes for citizens. Few U.S. companies could boast of that achievement during the past few years.

The Postal Service is a victim of technological advances such as the Internet and the growing popularity of e-mail and electronic bill paying, which have resulted in a significant decrease in the volume of first-class mail, the service's "bread and butter." It is exploring ways to boost revenue through the use of the Internet and shop-at-home services. It maintains a vigil on costs and, as the article indicated, has reduced personnel by more than 100,000 since 2000 without decreasing service.

Granted, the Postal Service faces challenges, especially in the areas in which customers come into contact with the day-to-day operations of employees, such as at the retail counter. But I witness similar delays at stores, where the lack of retail help and the shift to automated checkouts and self-service can be cumbersome and confusing.

Many postal customers also may be unaware of just how many services are available through http://www.usps.com , such as ordering stamps or arranging to have packages picked up by letter carriers.

MIKE MATTERA

West River, Md.