The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1893-12-13
ANNUAL POSTAL REPORT.
POSTMASTER GENERAL BIS
SELL ON HIS DEPARTMENT.
Operation Of a Great System--No Ad-
vantage Derived From the Ocean
Mail Su5Sidies-A Deficit of Near
ly Eight Million DoIlars-World's

vantage Derived From the Ocean
Mail Su5sidies-A Deficit of Near
ly Eight Million Dollars-World's
Fair. Postofflce.
TIE first annual report OF Postmaster-Gen-
eral Bissell, shows in the briefest space con-
sistent with 4 proper understanding OF the
subjects treated, the operations OF the de-
partEent during the last fiscal year.
- TEE financial statement shows that tho de-
aciency for tho year ended June SO. 1895,
was S5,177, 7,1T.74, instead Of 1852. .423.I7,
as estimated and that, instead Of surplus
OF $872. 5.71 for the current fiscal year, as
estimated, there will be an estimated de-
fciency Of $3.50, 473.07. The Post
master-Genera! estimates the gross revenue
for the fiscal year ending June 80. 1895, at
$84.427, 748.4A. and the gross estimated ex-
penditures ut 800, ,399 4S5. 33, leaving an esti-
mated deficiency of IS. .971, 7S6. SO. which, how
ever. will be decreased 81, ,25O 900 from funds
taken from the unpaid money order &C.
counts.
Although there are ninety-three additional
pos:ofces now entitled 10 the free delivery
service, the absence of appropriation for ex-
tension renders impossible the establishment
of the system in even one Of these towns.
The Postmaster-General adopts the recon-
mendarions previously made public adverse
to the extension Of the experimental free de-
livery system. The estimated free delivery
deficiency amounts to SOS, ,0S0.
Claims for carriers overtime, amounting
to nearly million dollars. were on file in the
department when Mr.. Bissell assumed his
duties. Under his order Of April (, however,
PoStmaster5 have been held so strictly ac-
countable for the time of their carriers that
the making Of overtime has practically
ceased. -... ...
! The Postraaster-General suggests that
postal notes be abolished, and that the rates
charged for, all domestic money orders should
be reduced and the torn OF order simplifed,
! Great improvement is noticeable in the
star. railroad, and steamboat transportation
service. tine length Of routes being ASS, 1892. SO
miles. The amount disbursed for the trans
portation of the mails was $43, ,597, ,997. SIS,
and the number OF miles travelled $751;
499,0s5.T5. The length Of routes was
increased last year by 6,241.90 miles.
North ard South has been recently
much enlarged, and the mail time between
the East and California has been materially
shortened. The Postmaster General is in
favor OF the utilization Of local electric car
lines Tor mail transportation, and says that
his desire is that wherever the general sery-
ice can be- advanced use should be made of
rapid transit city and suburban car lines. He
pays particular attention to the railway
mail service, and the requirements OF
this year will, he estimates, call for an in
crease OF employees from 664j men to 1000
men. He urges such legislation as will pro-
vide q reasonable sum to be paid to the
widows and minor children OF railway mail
clerks killed while on duty, and estimates
that $50, COO annually will be- sufficient for
this purpose. He also orscommendsthef form
stion OF IN auxiliary corps Of clerks. ...
Regarding ocean mail subsidy, the Post
master-CeneraI says that he is unable to as
certain that any positive advantages have ac-
crued, from either a mail or commercial
: point oi view, by reason OF the contracts
thus far put IN operation under the act OF
March 8, 1891, and that therefore no
new contracts hare been entered into.
The increased cost OF the con-
veyanca OF ocean mails under this act forthe
years 1893, 1894, 1895, and 1926 (the last two
years estimated) will be 81 4.250. 404.52 He
says that the gains in the expedition of the
mails have not been material, andthe advan.
tages derived from the Governments control
OF the ships are incommensurate with the
cost OF ssrvice.
The department carried last go; 900, 900
pounds of second-class matter, IN increase
OF fourteen per cent. Concerning this the
Postmaster-Generalre remarks that he is afraid
growth in lie serlcdical literature o. tls
country as tee s.rcess OF ec:e:Drls,ng puo.
fishers in securing the entry o. n.any publ.
cations into this favored class that are not
really entitled to the privilege.
The amount of free mail matter delivered
last year weighed S7,000,0 900 pounds, the
total number OF pieces aggegating 467 1856,
SS3. which. emitting newspapers and peri
odicGls mailed free in their respective coun.
ties o. publication. and making no allow.
ance for cases where excess over single rates
might occur, would have required, il charged
the same Cs private matter, 81, ,173, 1854 worth
Of postage, this being about the amount OF
the average annual deficiency. Mr.. Bisseu
says tnar the financial depression greatly
diminished the volume Of postal receipts.
The Postmaster General notes the improve
ment in clerical service resulting from the
act Of March 2, 1889, which classified and
fixed the salaries OF clerks in the first and
second-class offices, and urges IN amend
menr by Congress by increasing the maxi
mum salaries OF certain classes IN the clerl.
cal service.
The Postmaster General comments on the
necessity Of a new building for the depart.
. ment. the transactions OF which are at pres
ent conducted in seven different buildings,
for which the Government pays annually
nearly $50, 900 rental, only one being owned
by the Government.
The Postmaster General makes special
mention OF the needs Of the ten larger Post
offices of the country, to wit, New York,
Chicago, Philadelphia. Boston, St. Louis,
Cincinnati, Brooklyn, San Francisco, Balti-
more and Pittsburg, which yield one-rhird o:
the total postal revenue.
Toe Postmaster-Genera expresses himself
as highly gratifed Mt the most satisfactory
results shown from the model branch Post
Office. which proved such a great attraction
and convenience to visitors ut the Worlds
Fair. The gross receipts during the six
months Of its continuance were $64, ,SSS 62. or
equal to the postal business of a city OF S0.-
900 inhabitants. The total number of pieces