The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1893-12-01
BISSELL'S, BRIEF.
Annual Report of the Postmaster
General
REVENUES SHOW A. DEFICIT.
Expectations of Profit ON Columbian
Stamps Not Wholly Fulflled-Man
Subsidy observation-disclosures
time Charges stopped.


WASHINGTON, Nov. 29.-The follow
ing abstract of the annual report of
Postmaster-General Bissell was given
out yesterday:
The postmaster-general, in his finan-
cial statement, shows the deficiency for
the year ended June 80, 1893, was s5,-
1T, III, instead of 81, 552, 423, as estimat-
ed by Mr.. Wanamaler, and that instead
of surplus of sS72, 245 for the current
fiscal year, as estimated by Mr.. Wana-
maker, there will be an estimated de-
ficit of $3.50, 473. He estimates the
gross revenue for the fiscal year ending
June 30, 1894. at SS4, 427, 74S and the
gross expenditures at 500, ,399, 4S5, leav-
ing an estimated deficit of s5.971, ,736,
which, however, will be decreased ST.
25O, 900 from the fund taken from the
unpaid money order accounts.
Although there are ninety-three ad-
ditional post offices now entitled to
free delivery service, the absence of
money renders impossible the estab-
lishment of the system in these towns.
After thorough trial of two and a
half years the experiments in free de-
livery tried in 460 towns of populations
ranging from 900 to 1000 have not
proven the desirability of establishing
the system, which the postmaster-gen-
eral says would cause an annual outlay
OF $4,000, 600. The appropriation of SO,
900 made for the trial of rural free de-
livery hns been found inadequate for a
fair test and the plan is not approved.
The postmaster-general, by one
stroke, had settled the carriers over
time question under the eight-hour law.
Claims for over time amounting to
nearly S1,00O,O00 were on file in the de-
partment when he assumed his office.
Under his order of April last, however,
postmasters have been held so strictly
accountable for the time of their car
riers that the making of overtime has
practically ceased.
He suggests that postal notes be
abolished and that the rates charged
for all domestic money orders should
be reduced and the form of order sim
pliied.
Great Improvement is noticeable in
the star railroad and steamboat trans
portation service, the length of the
routes being 453, S32. S3 miles. The post
mastec-general states his desire is that,
wherever the general service can be
advanced, use should be made of rapid
transit, city and suburban lines. He
pays much attention to the railway
mail service, and the requirements OF
this year, will, he estimates, call for an
increase of employees from 6, 645 men tC
1000 men. He urges such Legislation
as will provide reasonable amount tc
be paid to widows and minor children
of railway mail clerks killed while on
duty, and estimates that S2O,0 900 annu
ally will be sufficient for this purpose
Regarding ocean mail subsidy the
postmastsr-geuerali Il unable to ascer
tain that any positive advantages have
accrued from either a mail or CONNER
cial point of view by reason of the con-
tracts thus far put in operation under
the act of March 5, 1891, and that
therefore, no new contracts have been
made.
There has been a marked increase il
the special delivery business, the entire
delivered being 1875, 793, an increase
over last year of % per cent.
The department carried last yea
sol ,000. 900 pounds of second-class mat
ter, an increase of IA. per cent. Con
cerning. this the postmas ster-general re
marks he is afraid this indicates not 81
much healthy growth in the periodi
cal literature of the country as the sue
cess of enterprising publishers in secur
ing the entry of many pu ublications int
this favored class that are really no
entitled to the privilege.
While Mr.. Wanamaker estimated tn
profits from the sale of. Columbian
stamps would be 81. 500, 900, Mr.. Bissell
estimate is only s1,000,000.
Concerning the fixing If government
: telegraph rates, Mr.. Bissell recites tn
protest of the telegraph companie
against the rates fixed by Mr. Wana
maker and the suits which have beel
instituted against the government t
recover at the rates charged the public
The rates fixed by Postmaster-Genera
Bissell were accepted by the companie
and are about per cent. below thos
fixed ins1sSs.
On June 80, 1885, there were 6S, 40
post offices in the United States, an in
crease of 1,2S4 over the p evious. year
There are 5000 presidential post offices
net increase of 16S offices.
Mr. Bissell devotes considerable spac
to discussion of civil service reform
There are 2S,3s4 employees in the class
fed civil service in the post office estat
lishment of the government. He make
special comment on the wholesal
discharge of democratic clerks in tn
railway mail service at the beginnin
of the last administration.
Mr.. Bisselrs rule that fourth-clas
postmasters shall not be removed unit
on the expiration of four years. incun
bency he thinks will dignity the offic
by placing it on par with presidentia
offices as to tenure.
Olympia Makes Another Effort.
SANTA BARBARA, Cal, Nov. 29.-Th
cruiser Olympia made another attemr
to make an official record hut failee
Everything looked favorable when tn
steamer Started for the third time o
her trial trip but after three hours ru