The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-10-22
First Assistant Postmaster General Hatton
Claims that City Letters Can BE
Delivered for One Cent.
Reported Disagreements Between the
President and His Cabinet.
Secretary Chandler Attempts to Learn Why
the Yantic Did Not Reach the Proteus
Other Washington News.
THE PosToFFICE DEPARTMENT.
First Assistant Hatton, in His Annual Re
port, Suggests Important Changes.

First Assistant Hatton, in His Annual Re-
port, Suggests Important Changes.
WASHINGTON, Oct. 21.-The annual report
of Frank Hatton, First Assistant Postmaster
general, has been laid before the Postmaster
general. 1t says the average amount of work
performed in each divisions office has ex-
ceeded that of any previous year, and the
bureau has, so far as the appropriations
would permit, endeavored to meet the neces-
stiles of an increasing population, assist in
commercial circles and keep pace with the
construction and extension of various rail
roads and other means of communication.
1t is believed that in no preceding year have
fewer complaints been made concerning the
incompetency or dishonesty of postmasters,
or. delay or confusion in the
delivery and dispatch of mail
matter in the different postoffices.
The whole number of postoffices on June
80, 1888, was AZ, ,863, an increase of /, ,632 dur
ing the year. The largest increase in the
number of postoffices in any of the States
and Territories was in Dakota the number
being 172 Lancaster county, Pa, has 159
postofices the largest number in any county
in the United States. The whole number of
presidential offices was 2, 143; the number of
money and order offices was 5, 857, an increase
of 421. The removals and suspensions during
the year were 316 less than for any year be-
fore.
Publishers of legitimate newspapers are
specially interested in sustaining tine depart
dartment in its efforts to exclude from
pound rate all publications designed pri-
marily for advertising purposes, or for free
circulation, or for circulation at nominal
rates. The enforcement of that law will en-
able legitimate publications, favored by stat
ute as the instrument of popular education,
to sustain themselves by securing such local
advertising support as would naturally come
to them.
The adjustment of the salaries of presiden-
tial postmasters is now far enough advanced
to warrant the statement that the result will
be satisfactory, and for the first time in the
history of the department the salaries OF
presidential postmasters will be equalized
and placed upon basis of the gross receipts
of their offices.
In order to meet the urgent demand for
service of clerks in the postoffices, and at
the same time keep within the limited ap-
preparation, it was necessary to create fund
by making reductions in the salaries of clerks
in 1876 offices. AS rule these clerks are un-
derpaid especially at separating Offices
offices where mails are separated for other
offices.
Beyond the benefits of the free-delvery
service, as at present restricted, is a class of
the country which it is believed could be
served by carriers with benefit to the people
and economy to the department, These are
towns within short distances of one an
other which have not singly the required
qualifications of population or gross reve-
nue.. The law should be amenable so as to
authorize the department to extend the SYS-
tenn to such places by establishing it at the
principal or central Office of the group and
disseminating other offices, or substituting for
them mex pensive branches of the main office
from which carriers could serve surrounding
localities. In view of the large excess of
of postage on local matter over the cost of
the free delivery service and taking into
consideration the fact that local correspond
ence increases in proportion to the facilities
offered, it should be extended and liberal ap-
preparations made to bring it up to the high
est practicable standard in cities where it is
now in operation. Under the present sys-
TEN letters received after carriers go out
upon their trips, whatever their importance,
must lie in the office until the next trip.
AT 9 o'clock P. NJ, when the deliY-
cry closes for the day they must
lie over till next morning, and this delay fre-
quently fails to meet the object of communi-
cation. Out of this want more speedy de-
liveries have grown up in several large cities
private enterprises which are now conducted
in competition with this service and are
divertiIg from the legitimate revenues of
the department thousands of dollars yearly.
The patronage bestowed upon them evinces
the public demand for more speedy delivery
Of certain class of correspondence, To
meet this want it is suggested that special
stamp be provided. which, when affixed to a
letter, whether mail or local. in addition to
the ordinary postage-stamp shall be regarded
by the office addressed as emitting the letter
to immediate delivery, up to 10 o'clock P. NJ.
To provide for their delivery it is suggested
that boys be employed and required to pro-
cure receipts from the party addressed, or
some authorized person.
In view of the excess of the receipts of
postage on local matter alone, over the cost
of its delivery it seems the time has arrived
when postage on local letters at offices where
the carrier system is in operation can be re-
duced from two cents to one cent. Such re-
duction will surely result in very large in
crease OF local business. The reports OF in
spectors, who investigated the unlawful dis
patch companies, show that the department
is losing thousands of dollars annually by
their competition. They offer no better IA
cilties than the department, and the only
thing gained by their patrons is one cent on
a letter. A reduction of local postage would
result in a very great increase in business, as
we'll as meet the demands of cities now
served by carriers.