New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-10-20
THE RAILWAY MAIL SERVICE.
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE GENERAL sUPERIS-
TENDENT

WASHINGTON, Oct. 19.-The annual report
of Mr. Thompson. General Superintendent OF the Raih
way Mail service, submitted to-day TO the second
Assistant PostmasterGenera On June 80, ls52, there
were in operation 769 railway post offices. conducted IN
sO4 cars and apartments and 1885 miles Of
ra road making 76,74l4 43S miles of annual services
There we're in 1870 postal clerks with salaret
aggresatng 49, 4s6.770 average annual salary ID
each OF 1916 6S This increase In number over
those In the service the close Of the prevlC scal
year Of $685. OF 1237 per cent, and decrease of
81 s5 per annum In average salary paid TO each.
figures represent the condition OF the service %
30n # June, but the actual expense during thd
year was 50, 235.5J3 ~. .
During he past year the railway postal clerks handled
and distributed letters and postal cards,
and Z75 GOO pieces or other mail matter or Total
all CLASSES OF ordinary mail matter OF 34JJ5vO $50,
besides l4,234.3lO registered packages ana 0'o4sd
through reglserr pouches THIS was an increase over
1881 of 35l230l go letters or 49, 4o per cent ana o.
Otner mail matter OF 22o,soO2oO or ZIo- per cent
and total increase or all classes OF mSi! matter %
eO,llo4l0 or 2033 per cent me increase OF regsl
tered packages and pouches handed over the numoer
reported last year is 277602e or 239 per cent
during the past fiscal year there we're 80 casuaess
in which railway postal clerks lost taeir lives l6 werd
seriously and 20 were shgnuy wounded. Durlns tne
wpicn 10 employees OF this have been killed. 81
have been seriously and II slightly wounded supernt
TO authorize the pay the wid-
ows guardians Of minor children OF railway postal
clerks Killed while on duty sum equal 20 two years
salary Of the grade held at the time Of death.
Tue estimates Tor the next year are as iolows For
per the approprla ton for the present year
post Office Fl $4,000, Increase OF 100000
this year. and for special facilities soOOOOO, the
same for he present year.
In conclusion, he report that Congress enact
that the U office OF employees be permanent dur
ing good behavior and that deductions OF pay for a
seuce without leave etc., for minor Violations OF th4
regulations shall not DO turned into the Treasury Il
nOw out shall be preserved a perpetual and sacred
provide for the necessities Of those disabled In
the service and for the families OF those killed IN line OF
duy It snOuld be forgotten that but for the fac
that during the past twenty-five years the tenure u
Office OF ali pOsta clerks has been by the general pra
toe OF the Department permanent during good De
hayor the service could have attained its present
state OF efficiency. 80 long however, rs this general
practe remaIns unsancIOned by positive law conpei
ing f. there still sufficient uncertainty about tha
tenure Of office interfere with that entire and perfect
confidence that merit and efficiency certain
ward, by Immediate promotion, at least by reten
ton service, which To inspire %
devote themselves enthusiastically 10 the work In WHICH
they are engaged"