Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-11-20

during 1885, sass being an increase Of about
ESQ per cent VIZ. S1,l57.
The amount received for same during 1889,
SlsS6.2L The amount received for same dur
ing lssS. Ss,526.7l, being an increase OF about
lS4 per cent, viz, sil,44s.56.
he number Of postal notes paid during 1889,
e'.oso The number of postal notes paid dur
ing 1883, 1897, being an increase Of about 276
per cent viz, AZ. $50.
Ihe amount paid on same during 1889, esq.,
s -, The amount paid on same during lsss,
go. 100 IS. being an increase Of about 40 per
cent. viz, sS6.6s7.5l
deposits received during year ended Decem-
ger 81, 1888, sl.&2s, ssl.sO. Deposits received
during year ended June 50, 1889. o.. 09s. 7ol 81.
ping decrease OF about 20 per cent, viz,
Deposits made during year ended December
81, 1858, s9Ss. 400. Deposits made during year
ended June 80. 1889. s69s. SO 26. being a de-
crease OF about Al per cent viz, s2s9, s7S74
The average increase OF the above items
amounts to l20.5 per cent The average de-
crease In deposits received and made amounts
TO IS per cent
II will be seen from the above statement that
Notwithstanding the inaccessible quarters as
signed 70 the money order division upon the
second floor, to which its patrons have 70 pass
through narrow, dark and winding passages, q
gratifying increase has been made in the bust
ness OF said division. Besides, the establish
ment of many postal stations since 1883 has
heyed the main Office OF some domestic money
orders and postal notes issued, while il has in
creased the work OF the main Office in examip-
ing and comparing the accounts of said stations.
III Is believed that II the money order division
could be located upon the main floor the BUSH
ness OF the division would be greatly increased
All OF this work is performed in space OF
about $40 square feet
In the year ended June so, 1889, the amount
OF second-class matter passing through the
mails at said Office amounted TO l.s42. SIS
pounds; during the year ended June so, 1853.
'l4,ooz pounds, being an increase OF about l60
per cent, VIZ, LISA. 326 pounds. The space
allotted to said work consists of 20 square feet.
THE WORKING SPACE
While the work and working force has so in
creased In every department the only increase
In available space in nine years has been OBJ
tanned by building a storm shed beyond the
building line on Louisiana avenue, which
makes It possible to use 904 additional square
Feet inside the building. On occasions of high
water the storage rooms and basement are
flooded, not only running supplies stored there,
but depositing refuse matter, which, with the
attendant dampness. remains a standing mcn-
ace TO the clerks IN the Office and 10 the gen.
eral public who visit it from day TO day. That
serious sickness among the employees has been
frequent and continuous is by no means re-
msrkable. while escape from much more serious
consequences is an occasion for thankfuness.
The situation, bad enough at first. grows
steadily worse, with the enormous increase Of
the business and the corresponding increase Of
the force necessary to transact il.
The communications received by the COM
mission from residents and business men here,
indicate q general public sentiment in favor Of
suitable quarters, which In any of the large
cities in the states would long ago have
ripened into a demand. This feeling cannot but
be general among all our people who have
visited the city or who have any knowledge OF
the office: 1t would be OF great advantage to
the morale OF the post Office service IL the city
possessed building which would not only be
adequate to Its needs, but an example 10 those
who visit il of all that a modern post Office
should be. The large number of postmasters
commissioned here and visiting the city prior
to entering upon the duties of their respective
offices. very naturally visit the Office for ideas
and instruction 20 govern them in the early
stages of their prospective administrations,
and while the city has been generally fortunate
In the appointment OF Its postmasters, IL must
be said that in that direction only could the
visitor be profted by any Investigations he
might make, unless, indeed, he visited the Of
hce with view to ascertaining what TO avoid
rather than what to initiate.
NEW BUILDING WANTED.
When it is taken into consideration that not
only are the present quarters entirely made
quate and unsatisfactory for the purposes OF q
city post Office, but in addition the governments
is paying nearly 100000 per annum rental for
the transaction of the business of the general
post office. which long since outgrew the pres
emit quarters, the necessity for and wisdom Of
erecting at an early date building that will
not only accommodate the city post Office in
some central portion but also ar'ord room for
the various departments that have been crowded
out of the general post Office building will, we
think, be apparent. The question of suitable
quarters cannot much longer be deferred, and
considering the time necessary Tor the COM
pletion of a suitable building the necessity for
early action Is apparent
Whatever action may be taken, however, to
relieve the department respectfully urge
that you recommend TO Congress the immediate
necessity for securing 70 the city Of Washington
an Office that will be commensurate with the
dignity and importance of the capital of our
country, and do away with institution that
has become a by-word in consequence Of its
conspicuous unffness and the futility Of the
many attempts that have been made to remedy
the evils complained of.