Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1893-11-30
BISSELL'S BRIEF.
Annual Report OF tho Postmaster
General.
REVENUES SHOW A DEFICIT.
Expectation 81 Profit on Columbian
stamps No 'rNoIy Fuinucd Mail
subsidy .a;'.ontinued--Over
time Charges stopped

WASHINGTON. Nov 90. The follow
ing abstract OF the annual report OF
Postmaster-Gcneral Bissell was given
out yesterday:
The postmaster-genernl, in his finnn'
cial statement, shows the deficiency for
the year ended June 80, 1893, was e.,
t77,i7t instead Of si, 55s, 493, as estimat-
G by Mr. WanamalSer,and that instead
of a surplus Of ss72, s45 for the current
fiscal year, as estimated by MIR Wana.
maker. there will be an estimated de-
felt of sds3O,473. lie estimates the
gross revenue for the fiscal year ending
June 30, 1894 at ssl, i27. 74s and the
gross expenditures at 500, 800, 4S5, leav-
ing an estimated deficit of s5.9Tl, 736.
which. however, will be decreased sl,
25), 900 from the fund taken from the
unpaid money order accounts.
! Although there are n.nety-three adj
ditional post Offices now entitled TO
free delivery scrvice, the absence OF
money renders impossible the estab-
lishment of the system in these towns
| After thorough trial of two and a
half ye RS the experiments in free de-
livery tried in 400 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 siO 600, OOO The appropriation Of $40, &.
600 made for the trial OF rural free de-
livery has teen 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 81, 200, 600 were on file in the de-
partment when he assumed his office.
unier 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.
lie 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
pified.
Great improvement is noticeable in
the star railroad and steamboat trans
portation service, the length of the
routes being 453, S32. 50 miles. The post
maste general states his desire is that,
wherever the general service can be
advanced, use should be made of rapid
transit city and suburban lines. lie
pays much attention to the railway
mail service, and the requirements of
this year, will. he estimates, call for an
increase of employees from 8, 645 men to
1000 men. lie urges such legislation
as will provide a reasonable amount to
be paid to widows and minor children
o. railway mail clerks kiliei while on
duty, and estimates that 5000 annu-
ally will be sufficient for this purpose.
Regarding ocean mail subsidy the
postmaster-general is unable to ascer-
tliu that any positive advantages have
accrued from either mail or CONNER.
cial point of view by reason of the con-
tracts thus far put in operation under
the act of March 3, 1891, AMI that,
therefore, no new contracts have been
made.
There has heen a marked increase in
the special delivery business, the entire
number of such pieces of mail matter
delivered being 1915, 79S. an increase
over last year of - per cent.
The department carried last year
30l ,O)0, 0OJ pounds of second-class mat
ter, an increase Of Il per cent Con-
csrn,ng this the postm ster-general re-
marks he Is afraid this indicates not so
much n healthy growth in the periodi-
cal literature of the country as the sue
cess of elterprising publishers in secur-
ing the entry of many publications into
this fivored class that are really not
entitled TO the privilege.
While Mr.. Wanamaker estimated the
profits from the sale OF Columbian
stanps would be a.. 500 900, Mr. Bissell's
estimlte is only sl,Oo0,O)1
Concerning the fixing IF government
telegraph rates Mr.. Bissell recites the
protest of the telegraph companies
against the rates fixed by MIR. Wana-
maker and the suits which have been
instituted against the government 10
recover at the rates charged the public. /
The rates fixed by Postmaster-General !
Bissell were accepted by the companies
AMI are about $ per cent below those |
fixed in lsss.
On June 80, 1893, there were 6s, 4O3 |
post offices in the United States, an in |
crease of 1,2s4 over the evious year /
There are 5000 presidential post offices, l
n net increase of 1853 offices
Mr.. Bissell devotes considerable space |
to discussion of civil service reform
There are 2s,Ssi employees in the classi-
fed civil service in the post Office estab-
lishment Of the government. lie makes
q special comment ON the wholesale
discharge Of democratic clerks in the
railway mail service at the beginning
oi the last administration.
Mr.. Bissell's rule that fourth-class
shall not be removed until
N the expiration Of four years incum-
bcncy he thinks will dignity the Office
by placing 1t on par with presidential
Offices as To tenure.
OIymDIa Mases Another F0ort