The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1892-12-06


ing $500 miles of service; the ocean mail
service extended; pneumatic tube service
introduced, saving $1,000. 600 on mail con-
tracts and $150.000 on stamped paper; 30
per cent up to July last for foreign mail
service performed and expedited under the
new policy, was $120, $40. and the cost OF
the service for the present fiscal year will
be greater.
On free delivery the postmaster general
says the experiments related to villages,
but it has been daily service and cleared
profit. II is easy enough. therefore. to say
free delivery can be extended further and
further. and it ought to be demo whether it
pays profit to the department or not. He
believes fully that great advance could be
made in the direction Of country free de-6
livery by the evolution of the star ront6
service, and we would see free delivery to
persons living along highways traysfsed by
star route contractors with hFtle. II any.
increased cost to the department. in few
years.
Postal telegraphs and telephones are
strenuously advocated. as in former years.
OF one-cent postage, Wanamaker says ii is
a near possibility. He urges the reduction
of money order fees. the simplIfcation of
the postal note. so it will better answer the
need Of fractional currency, the abolition
of box rents. etc.
In closing he says his ideal for the Amer
lean postal service is system modelled
| upon the district plan. with fewer Offices
and those grouped around central offices
and under thorough supervision. BY this
| means at least 20,000 offices could be sban-
donsd that produce nothing to the depart
ment. In place of every one abolished
might be put an automatic stamp selling
machine and letter box to receive mail.
| With the money saved there should be in
stituted a system of collection and delivery
| by mounted carriers. bicycles. star route
messengers and contractors. and generally
spread free delivery all over the country.
The classes of postage should be reduced
to three and the rate of postage the world
over to one cent each half ounce. The or
ganization of the department. should be
| permanent, except in the case of the post
Wanamaker would add three new offices,
that of deputy postmaster general. one al
New York, one al San Francisco. and
controller in Washington. All postmasters
of the presidential and fourth class. and all
empl oyes in all branches of the depart
ments, should have a specific term of four
years on good behavior, and reappointment
subject to the controller.
He would unity the work. hold it mp by .
strong. controlling hand. reduce tine hours
of labor at almost all points, equalize and
advance pay, make promotions in every
branch for merit alone aud retire old OF
disabled clerks perhaps on q pension fund
to be provided by the annual payment OF
one-half of one per cent OF each months
salary.
Postal telegraph and telephone service,
postal savings depositoriss, pneumatic
tubes, OF some electric device between city
sub stations and main offices, ferrys. rail-
road stations and central offices in all large
cities should be employed without delay.
The erection of immense costly buildings
for postofiioes ought to be stopped and the
department be allowed to expend fixed
sum. from 81. .000 600 to S5, 000. 900 each year
in the erection of buildings upon q fixed
plan. such az Postmaster General Villas rec-
commended.