South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1893-12-07
BISSELL'S REPORT.
Postmaster General Reviews the
Operations Of His Department
EFFICIENCY OF THE MAILS.
Deficiency During the Last Else al
Year OF Several Million Dollars
Above the Estimate OF His Pre-
deoessor-ExtensIo OF the
Personal---very. System.


Personal---very. System.
Tho annual report OF Postmaster General
bissell shows. the operations OF the depart
mont during the fiscal year.
Tho report indicates that tho department.
has boon conducted On strictly business prin-
ciples, and that in this respect, as in others,
Gen. Blssell's administration has been very
successful. Tho most has been made OF the
funds available, and It IS also demonstrated
that during tho nrst year Of the admInistra-
ton, Notwithstanding the changes that have
boon made, tho efficiency OF the service in
every department has actually been increased.
Hitherto the n<st year OF o new administra-
ton has shown material lowering of the
standard OF the efficiency from that OF tho
previous year.
Tho financial statement sh ows that the de-
nciency for the year ended June 80, 1893,
was }6, III ,1T.T4, instead Of d, $50, 422 II as
estimated BY Mr. Wanamaker and that. In
stead Of a surplus OF ss72, 2457I for tae cur
rent Ascal year, as estimated, there will be
| an estimated deficiency OF 81, s3O, 473 o.. The
Postmaster General estimates the gross rev.
enne for tho fiscal year ending June 80, 1894,
| at es4, 42c, 74a A. and the gross estimated e1-
ponditures at eso, 393, 4S5 80. leaving an csti-
mated deficiency OF s5.97i, 739 80, which,
however, will be decreased 41,25 GOO from
| funds taken from the unpaid money order
account.
Although there are ninety three additional
| pos. onaces now entitled to the free delivery
service, the absence OF appropriation for ex-
| tention renders Impossible the establishment
Of the system In oven ono OF these towns.
The Postmaster General adopts the recon-
mendations previously made public adverse
| to the extension OF the experimental FREQ de-
| livery system. The estimated free delivery
deficiency amounts to s6S, 900. Claims for
carriers overtime amounting to nearly u
| million dollars were on file IN the depart
| ment when Mr.. Bissell assumed his duties.
Under his order OF April 4, however. post
masters have been held so strictly account
able for the time OF their carriers that tho
making OF overtime has practically ceased.
He suggests that postal notes be abolished,
and that tho rates charged for nll domestic
money orders should DO reduced and tho
form Of order simplified.
Great improvement Is noticeable In the
star, railroad, and steamboat transportation
service, the length OF routes being ASS, s32,-
81 miles. The amount discussed for the
transportation OF mail was s4S, 81, s96. 555.
and the number OF miles Travelled, S8l ,499.-
085. rs The length OF routes was increased
las. year by d, "a 81 ,ai!es. s~---=------- -.
Tho fast mail service between the North
aud South has been recently much enlarged,
| while the mail time between the East and
California has been materially shortened.
=. Tho Postmaster General IL In favor OF the
utilization Of local electric car lines for mail
transportation, and states that HIS desire Is
that whatever the general service can be ad-
vanced use should be made OF rapid transit
city and suburban chr lines. He pays par
ticular attention to The railway mall service,
and the requirements Of this year will, he
estimates. call for m decrease Of employees
from 6,945 men to 1000 men. He urges such
legislation Us will provide a reasonable sum
10 DO paid to tho widows and minor children
OF railway mail clerks killed while on duty,
and estimates that 800, 600 annually will be
sufficient for this purpose. He recommends
the formation OF m auxiliary corps OF clerks,
and that early provision be- made for re-
classification OF the employees.
bIr. Bissell states that the financial do
preston greatly diminished tho volume OF
postal receipts. He does not think, however,
that the large deficiency should have de-
terrent effect upon the general development
OF tho service nor induce III Increase Of pos
tai rates. Liberal appropriations, however,
will be required, which combined with etren-
uous efforts in oil branches OF the service,
may bring It to high degree OF efficiency.
The Postmaster General Dctes the improve
mept In clerical service resulting from the
act OF March 2, IS 0, which classified and
fixed salaries Of clorks In fist and second
class offices, md urges an amendment by
Congress by Increasing tho maximum sllar-
les OF certain classes in tho clerical service.
The Postmaster General comments on the
necessity ola new building for the depart.
ment, the transactions Of which arc ut pres.
ent conducted in seven different buildings,
for which the government pays Annually
nearly $4,000 rental, only ono being owned
by the government He states that the Busch
building on L street, and the annex building
on Eight street are no, proper buildings FOL
use, and that the approximations for theft
safety may be renewed Ivy the steady increase
OF accommodations OF documents and files. He
recommends tho construction OF q modern
fre.proof ONCE building.
|