Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1893-11-30
Mr.. BISSELL'S REPORT
Operations of Uncle Sans
Postal Department.

tScal xears far Greater Inan ES-
timated-Numerous Recommends
tions BY the Postmaster-General
WASHINGTON, Nov. 29.-The annual
report Of Postmaster General Bissell, just
made public, shows in the briefest space
consistent with proper understanding of
the subjects treated the operations Of the
department during the fiscal year.
The financial statement shows that tho
deficiency for the year ended June 30, |
1893, was $5, III, III. IA, instead of 81, 559,-
423 IT, as estimated by Mr.. Wanamaker;
and that instead OF a surplus OF $S72, 245.-
II for the current fiscal year, as estimated,
there will be an estimated deficiency of
1880, 473.07.
The postmaster general estimates the
gross revenue for tho fiscal year ending |
June 80, 1895, at $S4, 427, 746. "A, and the
gross estimated expenditures at 500, ,399,-
4S5. 80, leaving an estimated deficiency Of
$s,9Tl, 1855 80, which, however, will be de-
creased 81, 800, ,098 from funds taken from
the unpaid money order accounts.
No Money for More Free Delivery.
Although there are 93 additional post
Offices now entitled to tho free delivery
service, the absence Of appropriation for
extension renders impossible the establish
ment Of the system in even one Of these
towns.
The postmaster general adopts the
recommendations previously made public
adverse to the extension of the expert
mental free delivery system. The esti-
mated FREQ delivery deficiency amounts
20 $68, 900.
Claims for carriers overtime, amount
ing to nesrly 100000 were on file in
the department when Mr.. Bissell assumed
his duties. Under his order of April 4,
however, postmasters have been held 50
strictly accounta BILE for the time of car
riers that tho making of overtime has
practically ceased.
Wants Postal Notes Abolished
He.uggests that postal notes be abol-
ishsd, and that the rates charged for all
domestic money orders should be reduced
and the form Of order simplified.
Great improvement is noticeable In the
tion service, the length Of routes being
453, 883. SO miles The amount disbursed
Tor the transportation Of mail was $45,-
597, ,997. .65 and tho number of miles trav-
slled, 8s1, ,499, 0s5.75. The length Of
routes was increased last year by Q, PAL. 90
miles.
Tho postmaster general is in favor of
utilization Of electric car lines for mail
transportation, and states that his desire
Is that wherever the general service can be
advanced uss should bo made Of rapid
transit city and suburban car lines
More Employees Needed.
He pays particular attention to the rail,
way mail service, and tho requirement Is o
this year will, he estimates, call for an in.
crease of employees from 6,84J men to
1000 men.
He urges such legislation as will provide
= reasonable sum to be paid to the widows
and minor children Of railway mail clerks
killed while on duty, and estimates that
$50, 200 annually will bs sufficient for this
purpose.
Regarding ocean mail subsidy, the post
master general says that he is unable to
ascertain that any positive advantages
have accrued, from either mail or com
mercisl point of view, by reason of the
contracts thus far put In operation under
the aor OF March ., 1891, apd that, there
fore, NO new contracts have been entered
into
The department carried last year, 30l,-
O00, 900 pounds Of second class matter, an
increase OF IA per cent Concerning this,
the postmaster general remarks that he is
afraid that this indicates not so much
healthy growth In the periodical literature
OF the country as the success of enterpris-
ing publishers In securing the entry Of
many publications into this favored class
that are not really entitled to the privilege.
Hard Times FoIt
Mr.. Bissell states that the financial de-
preston greatly diminished the value OF
postal receipts. He does not think, how
ever, that the large deficiency should have
y deterrent effect upon the general devel-
opment OF the nervics, nor Undue, an In
crease OF postal rates.
He also recommends tha enactment of a
law which will permit postmasters, with
the consent Of the postmaster general, to
suspend employees for ten days without
pay for violation OF the rules and of an
act which will permit the postmaster gen
eral to grant leave of not more than three
months with full pay to any carrier or
clerk disabled by casualty while in per-
formanos OF duty.
The postmaster general makes special
mention Of the needs OF the ten larger
postoffices Of the country, to- wit;
New York, Chicago, Philadelphia, Bos-
ton, st. Louis, Cincinnati, San Francisco,
Baltimore and Pittsburg, which yield one
third OF tine total postal revenue, and he
recommends that these offices be placed
In clnss by themselves and appropria-
tions made for them by congress direct
and without the interven tion of rules and
methods that are applicable to other post
Offices
Election Results at Dover.