The Helena independent., 1894-11-12
Which Being Interpreted Means the
First Assistant Postmaster
General, Jones.
Recommends His Previous Recon-
mendations and Adds Some
More to Thorn.
BuHiaesa OF the Postofnes Department toI
tho Last Fiscal Yaar-other
Capital News.

ant Postmaster General Frank Jones
mas submitted his annual report 10 the
postmaster general. II IL review Of
The work in the department under his
charge for the year ending June 30,
1884, and contains his recommendations
Tor the Improvement of the service.
Jones recommends legislation TO pro-
tect the postmarlSlng stamp In the use
Of postofilees, as the stamp ls now being
used for unlawful purposes. He re-
news his recommendation for legis-
lation 10 prevent the boycotting OF
postmasterH by the mailing OF letters
az places other than the office, which
results In reducing the salaries OF post
masters. He calls especial attention
TO the misuse OF the franLing privi-
leges. He says:
There seems To be some mlsappre-
henslon among the members OF con-
gress az TO the scope OF the franking
privilege. which has resulted in some
postmasters declining TO send speeches
or other matter presented for mailing
Instead OF the name being written or
IA'tNNN ti az 'AiNtlVVN ny ~
II has been, In some instances. improp-
erly printed thereon; speeches therein
contained have borne advertisements
Tor printers, which formed no part OF
the congressional record, and there
fore are subject to postage as third
class matter. In addition 10 this, some
packages sent by mail under the frank
OF members have been found, after de-
livery, TO contain printed matter out
side OF the congressional record and
public documents, and are therefore not
frankable under the laws. Literature
being sent under the seal OF the de-
partment is, of course. unable to de-
tect every violation. There is no pen
atty attached 20 the misuse OF the
franklng privilege, hence no action can
be taken further than to call the at
tention OF members TO the matter.
"As this department is required tc
carry. without one cent Of revenue, hun
dreds OF tons OF franled matter, ad.
ditional limitations should be placed or
the use OF the frank, or a penalty OF
some kind imposed for Its unlawfu
use.N
Jones recommends legislation allow
ing the suspension, Without pay. not e
exceed ten days, of employees violating
postal rules; also that disabled EN-
ployes may be granted leave OF absenc,
with continued pay; also some changes
In the classification OF salaries, which
were heretofore recommended. The re
port gives the details OF the different
divisions OF the first assistants office
1t has shown by the salary and allow
ance division that there are 149 first
class offices, 400 second-class. and 2,5S
third-class. The aggregate salaries o.
these was S5.709, 200, and the aggregat,
receipts. SOS. $3.50
Jones says that owing TO scant ap
preparations the work OF the deliver,
system has ben curtalled. There hav'
been no new Offices made free deliver,
during the year. There has been ligh
increase In the number OF carriers. an,
there has been a settlement OF man,
overtime claims of carriers during tn
year.
Jones condemns as heartily as he die
last year the experimental free deliver,
and rural free delivery. tried by his pre-
decessor. He estimates the free deliver,
service for the next year at 81, ,327. GS5
THE estimates for supplies at the post
lotlice department are S4ii. 800 a de
crease of $31. 900 from the present year
The money order business shows tina
$50 offices were constituted money orde
offices during the year. The amount o
orders issued was Sl3S, S,79S,5S9: tn
amount paid, sl3S, 729, ,229; receipts. 81.
I2I2. .sSS. expenses. s5s6.747. Issues OF pos
ltal notes was ST.. ,09i; postal note
lpaid. s12.6l4. .S44. The number OF piece
OF original dead mail matter receive,
during the year for treatment was 7,l0l,
O4i n decrease OF 29,9SS pieces from TN
preceding year. These figures show
ldimerence I'm favor OF last year over tn
preceding one of S19, $50. and Indicate
La larger degree OF efficiency on the par
lof the general postal service.
Jones says: $50 vigorously have tn
provisions OF the act of congress beer
lenforced 90 prevent the mails from be
ling used for fraudulent purposes, tina
green goods men do not now under
take To receive replies through tn
mails, hut use the telegraph entirely
There are now recorded In the depart
Irreut 2,6il fictitious names and ad
Idrcsses adopted by green goods swindl
lors. not one OF whom is receiving let
ters by mail which are addressed TO th
luumes given In the circulars.