The Saint Paul globe., 1896-11-09
ASSISTANT JONES REPORTS.
AGGREGATE REDUCTION OF $3,27s,-
9S5 In SALARIES AND En-
PENSES.
THE EFFICIENCY is INCREASED.
Free Delivery in Small villages Not
a Success-SOme RecOmmen-
datiOns.

| HrSC assistant postmaster general,
gives a review Of a large part of the
years postal business of the govern
ment and makes numerous recon-
mendations for the improvement Of
the service. 1t shows that during the
last three fiscal years the aggregate
savings in the divisions of salaries
and allowances of postmasters were
$545, 1894; in free delivery 81, ,314, AIS, and
postoffice supplies of $21S,54O total $3,-
278,985. For that period there was an
aggregate reduction of $780, 134 in the
number of pieces of mail sent from
postoffices to the dead letter office
The total number. of presidential Of
fees July l last was 1851, of which
169 were first-class, 746 second-class and
2,736 third-class. The aggregate gross
receipts at the first, second and third
class offices were see, ,2S2, 1866, and the
total salaries $6,203, 900 Since Nov. 2,
1894, there have been 2,459 positions
in the postoff1ces added to the classi-
fed service. This leaves as the only
positions at first-class postoffices that
are now excepted from civil service
examinations, assistant postmasters
and principal cashiers; at second-class
Office, assistant postmaster, under any
legal designation.
Attention is called to the fact that,
Notwithstanding the increase in gross
receipts, the numerical increase in the
force was less than so per cent of
previous years.
During the year twenty-nine stations
| and 120 Sub-stations were established,
and one station and seven sub-sta-
tions were discontinued, a net in
crease of 141 stations and substations.
| Fifty-five postoffices of the second,
third and fourth classes were discon-
tinued during the year, and fifty-four
stations and sub-stations were estab-
lished to take their place.
Mr.. Jones says the postoffice depart
ment should be at liberty to execute
| leases for postoffice premises for a
| period in excess Of five years, where,
in the opinion of the department, it
is necessary. Canceling machines are
| highly commended, and there are 100
Of one pattern and 237 Of another now
in use under contract.
1t is expected that the investiga-
tions Of overtime carrier claims will
be completed during the current fiscal
year, and about 5000, 900 more will be
necessary to pay all claims accrued.
The experiment Of
FREE DELIVERY
in forty-five towns and villages cost
the department $8,247, leaving an un-
expended balance of ST. 753. Investi-
cation showed that in a majority of the
offices the gross receipts had decreased
since the establishment of the service
the department being compelled to
send money to some offices for the pay
nf lott ,1o,-
Congress did not appropriate for
further permanent Or experimental
service and the experiment was neces-
sarily discontinued with the close of
the fiscal year. There are sixty-three
offices which were entitled to the es-
tablishment Of the free delivery ser
vices during the fiscal year ended June
80, 1896, but the service could not be
established at more than nineteen Of
fees without entailing a greater eX-
pense upon the limited appropriations
for the current year than the mainte-
nance Of the established service would
permit. The rural free delivery ex-
pertinent was in operation at points in
thirty states by the first of this month
and the result of this test will be re
ceiVed in a special report to congress
on Dec 8.
The aggregate number of domestic
and international money orders issued
during the year was 24947, ,849, amount
ing to $1S5, 1853, ,264 and their payments
and repayments were "a 140, 84S, amount
ing to SIT 0S7 567 There was an in
crease of over per cent in the whole
number Of money orders issued, show
ing growth Of the system, and total in
crease in revenue from both the do
mestic and international business was
$74147. The total amount of bills of
exchange resulting from exchange Of
international money orders sent to
foreign countries during the year was
1921, ,799, and the balances received
from abroad for the same purpose be-
ing $201 $40.
In the dead letter office 6,253, 1863 pieces
Of original mail matter were received,
about $33, $50 being inclosed and 81 per
cent of the money restored. Letters
also came containing drafts, checks,
| ETC., Of the apparent value of 1886, ,095,
about 92 per cent of this being returned
to owners.
The report closes with summary Of
the administration Of Mr.. Jones, show
ing pruning Of expenses wherever pos
sible, and improved facilities, and
| makes numerous recommendations
The first assistant says: 'The atten-
ton O; congress ought to be called to
the private
LETTER BOX ABUSE
in lstge cities. 1t is in some cases i'm
possible to locate persons engaged in
conducting fraudulent and unlawful
correspondence through the mails, who,
for a comparatively small sum, can
rent boz in some cigar or stationery
ste re, through which to receive letters
addressed to them. Several bills have
been introduced within the past few
years, designed to put an end to the
practice of boycotting postmasters at
offices of the fourth class, thereby de-
priving them Of the compensation
properly belonging to them. This mat
ter should be called up and some ac
ton taken that would result in post
masters receiving, at least, the COM
pensation which properly belongs to
their respective offices.
Other recommendations are: Placing
dealers in obscene matter upon the
fraud list; penalty for unlawful use OF
the frank of a member Of congress; ;
authority for suspension OF postofIice
empIoyes for substitutes with pay in
the place of regular clerks necessarily
absent; leave with full pay to clerks
or carriers disabled while on duty;
substitutes to assist regular carriers
on holidays and other emergencies and
to require bonds covering negligence
or dishonesty Of money order clerks.
F or the fiscal year ending June 80, 1898,
, the report asks for appropriations OF
SIT ,000, coo for com pensatio of post
masters; 81 ,0v0 600 for clerk hire allow
ances; 81 Sv9, ,0AO 10 cover rent fuel and
Iiob caaOY,d apd third al c..