New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-06-02
THE posTOFFICE COMMISSION.
A. LETTER OF INSTRUCTION FROM THE
PoSTMASTERGENERAL
EIGHTEEN POINTS ON WHICH HE WISHES THE
CITY posToFFIcE MANAGEMENT TO
BE INVESTIGATED.

BE INVESTIGATED.
washington. June l-Postmss ter. General Wana-
maker to-day issued the following instructions to the
Commission which yesterday appointed to examine
aud report upon the condition and needs of the New
York City PostofRce
ofloe Of the Postmaster General
Gentlemen: The magnitude Of the business Of
the postot1ce In NewYOrk and It's constant ana raPI
concern by the Posofce Department for several years
During the eight years Of service Of the iS,e nrnI!
G.. Pearson as postmaster IN that once: and up W
the time OF the expiration Of his second term on ue
I'd of April, 1850, when vacancy occurred anu Lno
bs was much 6 discussed and
tions OF the Office and the demands Of It's service were
PsTson cons tsRty urged large increase in the appro
prauons for the office, and for the employ nrns oi
lions 10 this end as made to the Department are
herewith submitted for S0,s s,.rtIT suuported
these demands for Increased appropriations and en-
larecd service and the DepaTment IT, has PGf
or inability TO meet such demands.
The present posmast the hon; his
opipIon that this enlarged service long demanded
as imperatively needed, have felt that should APP
mission made up of gentlemen who have had practical
experience IN all branches Of the postal service ana
with the subject IN an rs phases. Won AZ .Dc, com.
mission 10 visit Ncw-York City. and TO make a very
thorough inspection of the affairs Of the pos'onioe
The scope of your examination win cover both
the main once and all the stations and the business
b. all the departments and divisions may outnne
should sho mO be directed as follows.
The space AVAILABLE for the rSns sG.nlGa G S
the needs OF the servicei Is IT allotted so as TO best
suSserve the public interest we'll as NE convenience
The clerical force. Is n adequate for the proper
an , Of ne eeHSy Of any 70 the existing
force or is the present force capable ouL Maa.S ~
numbers In the Aoer event. what sdd'tonsl a.
s.%The letter carriers. Is any increase necessary
the need Of az increase torsS n IN S the maO
sSement thrreofl or Is an increase FL numerical
aEThe saiaIie, pad Are they more or les, than
Commensurate with the labor performed Instances
of s,'N The En new Sn"Hs authorized BY Of
Congress aPPoyeS March ssS be syp SSr Is e
would the spplScsiion thereof be dn,rmentNl1 what
If It wero put Ine6 operation a New York;
9. As to the methods of dlspatchlng business How
expense without lmpArins tho efficiency Of the ser
b. m TSs tsF' e. , Ra ss''i NAY SSspS
button and dSpaich be 70 sh an ss Time AA
s Are there defects Of management in any branch
Of the Object II So are ,t they due to bad methods
g. Arc tho several branches Of the ONCE in FIJI
accord with each othsrl II not: IN what t aocs INC
G disd' consist anu 40" my 80 n,.
To- Is any part OF the Office At present organized
unnecessary Can any part OF the machinery OF
routine b sImpod or entity dsgensSsl with .n 70
bc sattsfac tory II not, In what respects Is u the
occasion of complaint, and what is tho remedy
l2-Are additional stations necessary II so. where
should they be located, and what provision should be
mSie for theml
l3-Are the carriers service the city delivery and
the mailing branches organized and conducted that
the greatest celebrity IS obtained In the receipt ana
dispatch Of malls
i4.-Is good discipline maintained In all branches
| n not where Is the fault
| I5-Are there any snecurs in the onlcc under It's
present organization Is there injustice anywherr In
the payment Of high salaries To unworthy or inefficient
employees, and low salaries to morn capable clerks
iG.--Is the safety OF the mails assured particu
larry OF the registered mails is N" security Of Tho
| iatter jeopard:zed by lack Of clerical fore
Ills the money order business we'll conducted, ana
| the public accommodated In this branch Are ap
plcants delayed either at the money order regis
try windows. and II 20, Is II duo TO insufficient or
Incapable force, faulty organization
ls-Is the force encouraged To good work by reward
Of the best upon opportunity for promotion or IS II
| % unimportan' errors7 In brief arc tho best re-.
snlts obtained by the management through Just treat
/ Fnent OF suboriinstcsl
These are specific inquiries TO which think It would
| be very well TO give yOmr attention. Your long tx.
perlence and the knowledge gained thereby OF post
office affairs w doubtless suggest 10 you other fields
! OF investigation. desire TO express ~ you nv ap-
probation Of the importance Of the task assigned 10
| you, and trust that your laborS will bring sub.
| stanual results.
| TO me upon the conclusion Of your inquiry. Here.
with you will End numerous papers for your use and
| inform alton Very respectfully,
| JOHN wANAMAKER, Posimastor-GoneraE