[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 115 (Monday, July 17, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Page S10136]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          U.S. POSTAL SERVICE

  Mr. STEVENS. Mr. President, there has been much discussion lately 
about the future of the U.S. Postal Service. Should the Postal Service 
be freed from current statutory restrictions in order to become more 
competitive? Should the Postal Service be privatized?
  Many observers believe there are problems which need to be resolved 
in order for the Postal Service to continue into the next century. 
Unfortunately, there is not a consensus on the solutions to the 
problems--and, indeed, not everyone agrees that there are problems 
which require changes in current law.
  As part of the ongoing review of the Postal Service, I received a 
paper written by Murray Comarow. Mr. Comarow served as the Executive 
Director of President Johnson's Commission on Postal Reorganization in 
the late 1960's and was a Senior Assistant Postmaster General.
  In the paper he urges the appointment of a nonpartisan commission to 
analyze the root causes of the Postal Service's problems and recommend 
changes. He suggests that perhaps the Postal Rate Commission and the 
requirement for binding arbitration with employee unions be eliminated, 
and that the Postal Service should have the ability to close small, 
unprofitable post offices if service could be maintained through other 
means such as leasing space in local businesses.
  In addition, Mr. Comarow observes that the monopoly on first-class 
letters as well as universal service at a uniform price should be 
maintained. However, the Postal Service should be able to compete for 
large contracts and offer experimental services, and he does not 
believe that employees should be given the right to strike--a right not 
possessed by any other Federal employees.
  Mr. President, I do not here pass judgment on the conclusions reached 
by Mr. Comarow, but he provides an historical reference and raises some 
issues which ought to be considered during any debate on the future of 
the Postal Service. In the interest of reducing costs, I will not ask 
unanimous consent that the text of Mr. Comarow's paper be reprinted in 
the Congressional Record. Copies of the complete paper can be obtained 
by contacting Mr. Comarow directly at 4990 Sentinel Drive, No. 203, 
Bethesda, MD, 20816-3582.
  Mr. LAUTENBERG. Mr. President, I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. DeWINE. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for 
the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  Mr. DeWINE. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent to proceed as in 
morning business.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  Mr. STEVENS. Again, Mr. President, I do not think the Senate is in 
order for my friend to speak, any more than it was when I was speaking.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator is correct. The Senate will come 
to order.
  The Senator from Ohio.
  

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