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

once purposes WITHOUT the contemplation of
repairs almost equal in expense 70 the erection
Of a new building. A few buildings possessing
considerable advantages in the matter OF light
and space might be mentioned. but they we're
not offered to the commission, after due adver-
tisement had been made. and in most cases
their location would be unsatisfactory to the
residents and business men Of the city.
THE PRESENT POST OFFICE THE BEST.
In view Of the facts above set forth, and Of
the unsatisfactory result Of our Investigations,
We have to report that the present city post
office. all things considered, affords, for the
time being the best available facilities thus far
offered. The entrance for the general public
on Louisiana avenue, unmpeded by mail
wagons, which have ample space for loading
and unloading on c street, affords advantages
not TO be ignored in determining the question
presented to ua. The location is central, and
In that regard at least il might perhaps be said
70 meet fairly well the necessities of the office.
In view OF the absolute necessitv that exists for
permanent and suitable building for the city
post office and the fact that the emergency re-
curing II cannot be much longer DELAYED, we
are unwilling to recommend the rental of other
quarters, which would in turn be temporary
and In the nature Of things unsuitable, but
which, In the meantime, must be fitted up at a
very neavy expense to the government. the
furniture In the present Office being, as we have
already stated, utterly unfit to be re-
When to this is added the serious incon-
venience to residents and business men
OF change to q location much less central
We are forced to the conclusion that in the ex-
ercise OF the authority granted you by act of
March 26, 1885, to lease suitable premises in
the city of Washington for the purpose Of the
Washington post office, this commission can
not. In the interest Of the public service, do
other than recommend to you the continuance
OF the Office in Its present quarters, at such
terms as you may be able to secure, until such
time as permanent and suitable quarters shall
be obtained
We further respectfully recommend that in
any arrangement that may be made for further
occupation of the present quarters a guaran-
tee be required OF the owners that they will
expend not less than $4,000 to make absolutely
necessary repairs, all Of which are essential to
the comfortable and convenient occupancy OF
the building and part to its safety. We also
recommend that the small building adjoining
the present Office on the east be rented, with
the condition that it be extended through to c
street This will enable the postmaster to re-
move the money order Office to a point more
accessible to the public, and relieve, for the
time being, other overcrowded and embar-
raised departments.
PERMANENT OFFICE WANTED.
At the risk Of exceeding the scope Of its du-
ties this commission respectfully represent
that they do not feel justified in closing this
report without first inviting your attention to
the absolute necessity of some final action in
this much vexed question of suitable quarters
for post Office in this city. That they should
be permanent and equal TO the best in the
country, instead of being temporary and far
below the worst in any tirst-class city in the
United States, will, we think, be conceded by
all who have a just and commendable pride in
the capital city Of the nation.
The Washington post office, upon which
much larger floating population depend for
mall facilities, greater perhaps than that in any
city of its size in The Union, has long been a
synonym for all that is utterly bad In the mat
ter OF light, ventilation, cleanliness, safety and
comfort. That ii has not with its valuable
government property and still more valuable
records, been destroyed by fire, is a matter of
surprise to those best acquainted with its in
terror arrangements, while its immunity from
robbery OF a serious character has been purely
matter Of good luck. that may at any time be
changed by a serious disaster We desire in
this connection to invite your attention TO the
following information showing the extent and
growth Of business in the Washington post
office since 1888. at which time a careful state
ment of the business of the office was prepared
by the then postmaster, Frank b. Conger.
comparison with an earlier date would have
shown an increase almost without parallel in
the larger offices of the county, but later date
has been chosen as a basis of comparison, first
because the figures had been carefully verified
and were accessible, and. second. because they
fairly represent the steady yearly growth Of
the business of the Washington office.
THE GROWTH OF BUSINESS.
Among other very interesting and intelligent
statistical information furnished by the WASH
ington postmaster it will be seen that the gov
ernment values passing through the registry
division during the year ended June 80, 1855,
amounted to S497 ,67l, $40. This seemingly in
credible statement is explained by the fact that
vast amount of internal revenue and other
valuable Treasury department matter is con-
stantly passing through the Washington post
Office and is transported free in the registry
pouches. 1t will be observed that much of this
vast work is performed and this valuable mat
ter handled in a space of less than ., 500 square
feet. situated on three different floors OF the
building. We invite special attention to a re-
port, hereto attached, relative to the registry
division, addressed to the honorable third as
sistant postmaster general by 2. Moses, assist
ant superintendent of railway mail service
The Washington city post Office was removed
to the quarters now occupied in the year 1879.
At that time the entire clerical force consisted
of lightweight persons. Including special de-
livery messengers the force now numbers 1877
employees, exclusive Of carriers. The carriers
in 1879 numbered forty-four There are at the
present time 100 carriers, including substitutes,
being an increase OF 1876 per cent
In 1919 the NUMBER OF stamps, postal cards,
&C., sold per month was 46S, 200, amounting to
IS. 9S5; the sales now amount to l.S35.252 per
month, or $50, 10 in value. being an in
crease of 293 per cent in number and 265 per
cent in value. The sales of envelopes, wrap
pers, &C., have increased during the same time
from Al. 500 per month, amounting to S7747O,
to l97, 500 amounting to 1851. so, an increase
of $40 per cent in number and SCI per cent in
value.
The total number of stamps, postal cards,
envelopes and wrappers shows an increase per
month from 509, 800 at time of removal to
2,032, 1852, an increase of $50 per cent And
this represents simply the increase in local
postage, the department matter being almost
entirely in penalty envelopes and il 10 esti-
mated that at least IS per cent of all mail
handled at the Washington Office is free matter.
In the delivery division the number of pieces
of mail received in the year 1889 amounted to
IS, $3.50, 007 in 1888, 81, 60S.452, being an in
crease of l44 II per cent, viz: so, 7Sl ,554.
The number Of pieces of mail delivered and
collected in the delivery division in 1889 was
81, S6S, $685. in 1885, t. $685. 707. being an increase
OF los. 81 per cent, VIZ: II, S9S, 922.
Postage upon local letters in 1889 amounted
to S63 023. 49, in 1888. S3l, l31.19, being an in
crease of l02 40 per cent, viz: S3l, 892.l4.
All this work Is performed in the space Of
about 1000 square feet.
In the mailing division Of said Office the
total number of pieces dispatched in 1888 was
50, 743. 500; in 1888, "a, 6E $685. showing an in
crease for five years Of 1886, l08, or 80 per
cent, averaging l6 per cent per annum.
The space assigned for this important work
consists of about 8, 440 square feet
In 1883 distribution was made in said mailing
divisi nf m far q mr. fwa efo