St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1888-12-04

ton was inaugurated with the Dominion
of Canada, which went into operation
March l. and which practically makes
one postal territory of the United
States and Canada, and under it mer-
ehandise and parcels may now be trans
mitted through the mails at fourth
class rates of postage. 1t is not posi-
BILE here to touch even the leading heads
of the great postal establishment. to
illustrate the enormous and rapid
growth of business, and of the needs for
legislative readjustment of much OF
its machinery that it has outgrown.
For these and valuable recommends
lions Of the postmaster general atten-
ton is called to his report. A DEPART
ment whose revenues have increased
from Sl9.7T2,000 in 1870 to $50, 900 in
1888, despite reductions of postage
which have enormously reduced rates
of revenue while greatly increasing its
business. demands the careful consider
alton of congress as to all matters sug-
gested by those familiar with its opera
ti0ns, and which are calculated to i'll
crease its efficiency and usefulness.
THE POSTMASTER GENERALS PRO
POSALS.
A bill proposed by the postmaster gen
eral was Introduced at the last session
of the congress, by which a uniform
standard in the amountof gross receipts
would fix the rights OF a community 10
public building to be erected by the
government for postoffice purposes. 1t
was demonstrated that aside from the
public convenience and the promotion
of harmony among citizens, invariably
disturbed by change Of leaslngs ana OF
site, it was measure OF the hlgheSC
economy and of sound business Judg-
ment. 1t was found that the govern
ment was paying in rents at the rate OF
from Z to 10 per cent per annum on
what the cost of such public buildings
would be. A very great advantage re-
sulting from such law would be the
prevention of a large number OF
bills constantly introduced for the
erection of public buildings at
places and involving expenditures
not justified by public honesty.
L trust that this measure will become
law at the present session OF congress.
OF the total number of the postmasters
54,S74 are of the fourth class, These,
of course, receive no allowances what
ever for expenses in the service, and
their compensation is fixed by percent
age on receipts of their respective OF
fees. This rate of compensation may
lave been, and probably was, at some
time, Just. But the standard has re
manned unchanged through the several
reductions in the rates of postage. Sueh
reductions have necessarily cut down
the compensation of these officials,
while it undoubtedly increased the buSl-
ness performed by them. Simple JUS
tice required attention to this subject,
to the end that fourth-clasS postmasters
may receive at least an equivalent to
that which the law itself fixing the rate
intended for them.
CLERKS AND CARRIERS NEEDS.
Another class of postal employees
whose condition seems to demand legis-
lation is that of clerks in pOStoffices,
and | call especial attention to the re-
port recommendations of the postmaster
general for their classification. Proper
legislation of this character for the re-
lief of carriers in the free delivery serv-
ice has been frequent. Provision is
made for their promotion; for subSti-
tutes for them On vacation; for substl-
tutes for holidays, and limiting their
hours of labor. Seven mil ion dollars
has been appropriated for the current
wear to provide for them, though the
total number of Offices where they are
employed is but 35S for the past fiscal
year, with an estimated increase for the
current year of but 40; while the total
appropriation for all clerks in offices
throughout the United States is $685.
0O0. The legislation affecting the rela-
tons Of the government with railroads
is in need of revision. While for the
most part the railroad companies
throughout the country have cordially
co-operated with the postotlice depart
ment in rendering excellent service.
yet under the law as it stands, while
the compensation to them for
carrying the mail is limited aud
regulated, and although railroads are
made post roads by law, there is no
authority repoSed anywhere to compel
the owner of railroad to take and
carry the United States mails.
uL-FITTING LEGISLATION.
The only alternative provided by the
act of congress, in case of refusal, is for
the postmaster general to send the mail
forward by pony or express. inns Is
but an illustration of ill-fittlng legIsla-
ton, reasonable and proper at the time
of its enactment, but long since out
grown and requiring readJustment.
EXPENSES HAVE BEEN CUT DOWN.
1t is gratifying to note from the care
fully prepared statistics accompanying
the postmaster generals report that
Notwithstanding the great expansion of
Che service the rate of expenditure has
been Iessened and efficiency has been
improved in every branch; that fraud
and crime have decreased; that losses
from the mails have been reduced, and
that the number of complaints of the
service made to postmasters and to the
department are far less than ever be-
fore