The Goodland republic. [volume] (Goodland, Kan.) 1891-1907, 1893-12-01
MIR. BISSELL'S REPORT.
Postmaster General BIsselI Reviews
His Work.
A FREE DELIVERY IN SMALL TOWNS
Experiments Show 1t Would Not BE De-
sirabIe-He Suggests that Postal
Notes Be Abolished.

WASHINGTON, Nov. 90 The follow
ing abstract of the report of Postmaster
General Bissel has been given out:
The postmaster general, in his finan-
cial statement, shows the deficiency for
the year ended June 80, 1898, was s., TT, :
III, instead of 81, 552, 423, as estimated
by Mr.. Wanamaker. and that instead of
a surplus of $87S, 1855 for the current
fiscal year, as estimated by Mr.. Wanna
maker, there will be an estimated deficit
of 81, $50, 473. He estimates the gross
revenue for the fiscal year ending June
30, 1895. at $54, 427, 74s and the gross ex-
penditures at 500, 800, 1876, leaving an es-
timated deficit of $5,971 1886. which,
however, will be decreased 81, 25O, 900
from the fund taken from the unpa id
money order accounts.
Although there are SO additional post
offices now entitled to free delivery serv-
ice, the absence of money renders i'm
possible the establishment Of the system
in these towns. After thorough trial
of two and one-half years, the expert
ments in free delivery tried in AGO towns
of populations ranging from 9OD to
4, 600 have not proven the desirability of
establishing the system, which the post
master general says would cause an an
nual outlay of $40, 1000, 900. The appro-
priation of $40 600, made for the trial of
rural free delivery, has been found in
adequate for fair test, and the plan is
not approved.
Suggests That Postal Notes Be Abolished.
The postmaster general, by one stroke
has settled the carriers overtime ques-
ton under the eight hour law. Claims
for overtime amounting to nearly ST.,
600, 900 were on file in the department
when he assumed his Office. Under his
order of April last, however, postmas-
tiers have been held so strictly account
able for the time of their carriers, 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 simplifed.
The postmaster general states his
desire is that wherever the general SER
vice can be advanced, use should be
made of rapid transit, city and subur-
ban car lines. He pays much attention
to the railway mail service and require
ments of this year will, he estimates,
call for an increase Of employees from
8, 645 men to 1000 men. He urges such
legislation as will provide a reasonable
amount to be paid widows and minor
children of railway mail clerks killed
while on duty and estimates $4,000
annually will be sufficient for this pur-
pose.
Special Delivery BusinesS Increased.
There has been q marked increase in
the special delivery business, the entire
number of such pieces of mail matter
delivered being 1875, 793, an increase
over last year of % per cent. The de-
partment carried last year S01, OOG, 900
pounds of second class matter, an in
crease of Il per cent.
While Mr.. Wanamaker estimated the
profits from the sale of Columbian
stamps would be g, SOC. 900, Mr. Bissell's
estimate is only 81, 0O,l, 900.
On June SO, 1898. there were 6S, 403
pcStofiees in the United States, an in
crease Of !, 284 over the previous year.
Mr.. Bissell devotes considerable space
to the discussion Of civil service reform.
He makes special comment on the whole
sale discharge of Democratic clerks IN
the railway service at the beginning of
the last administration
Mr.. BisseIIs rule that fourth class
postmasters shall not be removed until
the expiration of four years incumbency,
he thinks, viii dignity the Office by pIac-
ing fton . par with presidential Offices as
70 tenure.