The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1892-03-10
OUR POSTMASTER'S VIEWS
Mr.. Thompson Advances Some Practical
Ideas of Interest to Indianapolis.
Which He Is Confident Would Greatly I'm
prove the Service at Little Cost.
OUR MAIL SERVICE.
Postmaster Thompson Offers Some Sugg'
tions for Its improvement.


tions for It's Improvement.
Special TO the Indianapolis Journal
WASHINGTON. March 9.-Probably the
most interesting if not the most important
statement made before the conference of
Postoffice Department this afternoon, was
that of Capt. Edward p. Thompson. post
master at Indianapolis. He presented some
new ideas of improving the service. and
practical ones. too. He was given close at
tention, and minute will be made of his
suggestions In the official report of the pro-
ceedings of the conference, which is for the
purpose of devising ways and means for
improving the postal service III general
Postmaster Thompson began By indoors
ing postal telegraphy as advanced by Post
master general Wanamaker. Then. enter
ing into details of postoffice management.
ne said: 1T is better toreguire the patrons
of the postal service to perform part of
the work themselves A system of collec-
tion and delivery can be adopted which
will increase the efficiency of the service to
be practically q house toulouse collection.
Divide a city into collection districts and
relieve the delivery carriers entirely free
from the duty of collection. Such q method
would enable q carrier to deliver mail more
promptly and over larger extent of terri
TORY. Locate street-boXes In the resi-
dence portions of city at every
other corner. alternately along parallel
streets. This arrangement would place
a box within one squaTe,or about four hun
districts the street boxes should be nearer
together say at each corner of square
and also about the center of the block.
Provide a sufficient number of collecting
carriers with carts to make frequent col
lectlOns from every box in the city.
WHAT INDIANAPOLIS NEEDS.
Indianapolis covers an area of twenty
square miles. For the past year and a half
that city has had In service four collection
carriers, who cover the entire city twice
day. which, with the collection made by
the foot carriers. make four complete
collections day. 1t is estimated
that with ten additional carriers at
5000 each, exclusively for collecting &c.
00Ol and ten carts at $500 each (S3,O0O) this
service could be as often as four times
day In the residence portion of the city.
and from seven TO nine times day, as
often as necessary, In the business dis
tricts. This would require for IndIanapO-
lis six hundred additional street boxes at
S225 each 1.35O. and for posts and placing
$500. making q total cost OF Sl0,65O. As
this service Is now conducted Indianapolis
should have at least five additional carriers,
whose salaries will amount 10 $4,000. This
amount, deducted from the estimated cost
for collectors. would make the cost for that
city of an improved delivery-practicall
creased business would more than compen-
safe the cost. Such a system would admit
of a time card showing time of collection
box. to be placed on each box. which would
be absolutely correct.
"In Indianapolis it is q noticeable fact
that increased business has followed every
extension and Improvement in the postal
service. The special delivery service is
capable of enlarged usefulness, es-
ps;claliy ... IN the sending I..ui Of To-
favorable notice by the newspapers, an in
crease of so per cent in these deliveries has
taken place in Indianapolis within period
of six months.
ITO increase the popularity and use of
this branch of the service. messengers
should be required to call for such letters,
and to return answers when replies are
necessary. Frequent collections by car
rlers. as heretofore suggested, Will help the
service. A distinctive stamp for special
delivery letters should be retained. The
fee for such delivery should not be reduced
and the compensation Is sufficient to Sc
cure the service of bright, reliable boys"
NO sUB-sTATrONs.
Branching out into generalities, Post
master Thompson favored stamp
card system for the prepayment of POSTAGE.
He also advocated the Capitalization of tho
postal business in cities as large az Indian
apolIs in one Office. and the abolishment of
sub-stations and branch offices, like those
at Hsughville and West indianapolis. He
said these two stations and most of those
like them were simply railroad points
places whore the trains stop to take on or
let off passengers. He advocated the uni
versal use of stamped envelopes and special
request envelopes
In conclusion, Postmaster Thompson
said: The subject of compensations of
postoffioe clerks demands attention.
The classification law. which. embOdies
some good features is open to
just criticism. Employees, whose cOmpsnsa-
ton 10 based upon a per cent of the post
masters salary. are unpaid. In but few
instances are they paid the maximum al
lowed. All the latitude allowed for in
creasing or reducing salaries of the clerks
grouped under the various Glasses is SO
great that the only real, sure thing about
dreds Of dollars. The letter-carrIers are to
paid and most highly favored class of post
office employees They work under q law
which SAYS what shall constitute days
work, provides for regular promotion and
increased pay until the maximum is
reached, and grants Burroughs with full
pay; and Congress approprlates enough
money to carry out tho law. 1t IS to be
hoped the carriers will be successful In Sc
curing legislation that will place them on
q still better footing"