Special Handling

The U.S. Postal Service has been taking some withering criticism, thanks to rising rates and declining service, but Postmaster General Ted Klassen seems to be weathering the snow, rain, heat and gloom of day in executive style. At least according to Washington Watch dog Jack Anderson, who has made Klassen a particular target. Last week Anderson attacked Postal Service expenditures for Klassen's first-class offices in Washington's L'Enfant Plaza Building. More than $300,000 was spent to decorate the tenth-floor executive suite, charges Anderson, including $5,280 for a private pantry, $3,671 for two sets of walnut doors, and $5,999 on draperies. The $528,360 spent furbishing the Postal Board of Governors' penthouse one floor above includes a $50,000 kitchen with $53 sugar bowls and $59 cream pitchers. Moreover, fumes Anderson, Klassen has negotiated a contract with the Board of Governors which guarantees him a retirement salary of $15,000 a year for life. "The mails may be moving slower and workers are having difficulty keeping up with the cost of living," concludes Anderson. "But Ted Klassen has it made." Klassen had no comment on Anderson's expose.

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