The Nation - News from May 5, 1988

Postmaster General Anthony M. Frank, saying federal restrictions on Postal Service finances are “absurd,” called for more control over his budget as one way to avoid an accelerated pace for future rate increases. “I personally would like to see us reach the point where we could stretch out the period between rate increases further,” said Frank, who took over the Postal Service just weeks before last month’s postal rate increase. Frank, who testified at a hearing of two House Post Office and Civil Service subcommittees, said the Postal Service hopes to find new sources of revenue in areas ranging from transportation to philately, and is examining other initiatives to improve its management of costs.