The herald., 1897-03-15
Postmaster Mathews Will Urge
the Council Today
IMPROVED MAIL SERVICE
Is Dependent Upon Los Angeles Proving
lie Population
The DAILY Street Franchise Bone Of contsn-
tion Agsln-What Has That Rstrench-
ment Committee Done7

day the matter Of taking q census Of the
city under the law recently passed by
the Legislature, as suggested by Post
master Mathews. will probably come
up. 1t has been suggested that the CEN
sus should be taken In connection with
the annual school census, which will
very materially reduce the cost Should
Los Angeles show population of 100,-
900, or over, as It iy believed 1t will, it
will then become city Of the first class,
and numerous changes could be made
that would materially improve the mu-
nicipal government.
FROM GEN. MATHEWS.
Postmaster Mathews hopes to present
the following to the council this after
noon.
Gentlemen of the Council: Knowing
I that several states had state census laws
whereby they might take a census that
would be recognized by the postoffice
department, Washington. D. c.. framed
the present bill after the Ohio law, for
warded same to Senator Bulla and Cap
tain Cross, who introduced the bill in
each house, which was passed, signed
by the governor and is now law of this
state.
my authority for the recognition Of
a state census law is upon the following
letter from the honorable first assistant
postmaster-general:
WASHINGTON, D. c., Dec. IL, '96.
Postmaster. Los Angeles, Cal.-Sir:
Yours asking II the census for your city
be taken under the supervision of the
secretary of state. IL II will be consid-
cred by the department in raising the
class of letter carriers, has been receiv-
ed. In reply you are informed that if
fbfc ic q kap hu otrfbnrftxy IF
the state law 1t will be accepted by this
department. Very respectfully,
"'F. H. JONES'
First Assistant Postmaster General
Section $685. postal laws and regula-
tions, reads as follows:
classification and salaries of car
riers:
"'There may be in all cities which con-
tain a population of 5000 or more three
clases of letter carriers, as follows:
Carriers Of the first class, whose sala-
ries shall be $1,000 per annum; of the Sec
ond class, whose salaries shall be $500
per annum, and of the third class, whose
salaries shall be 5000 per annum
THAT in places containing less than
$4,000 there may be two classes Of car
riers. as follows: Carriers Of the second
annum, and of the third class, whose salr
aries, shall be 5000 per annum.'
'The latter section we are placed in.
"The benefits and reason for the pas
sage Of this census bill are as follows:
Before annexation we estimated 6750 in
ha bitants Within the old corporate linn
! its of the city net-receivinG free deliv-
cry; adding the new or annexed part, we
| have estimated total of 1850 inha|bit-
ants who are entitled to, but do not re-
ceive, free delivery.
In every guide. national and other
wise. Los Angeles Is quoted by the last
census as having a population of 50.394
The postoffice service in the buildings,
clerks and carriers. is made by the de-
partment upon our receipts and the
number of Inhabitants.
IF our census shows 100000 or over,
1t will be positive proof to the depart
ment that this city is doing business for
100 900 population with a CO., 600 force and
equipment. 1t will be an advertiser to
the world and an incentive for business
enterprise to locate here when they see
tie phenomenal growth from 50,394 in
1890 to 100. 900 or over in 1897.
Increase $3.50 per month, for 46 carriers
now employed the first year, $6900, or
total for five years. 1900; anticipated
eight carriers, SAL. $50; making total in
crease for five years, $76,050; add to the
increase for the present force. one year,
$e9G0; to the present allowance paid to
carriers IN tnlS city, distributed TWICE
month, $42,040.75; makes the annual ex
penditure, per annum,- in this city,
$4S, ,940.75, without counting at all on ad
ditional carriers that does not cost the
Taxpayers of this city one dollar. after
the first cost of the census. Without this
census this city will have to wait five
years before the national census is taken
ard sustain q loss by what they gain ur-
der this law of s3a,500 increase, to say
I'M of ho of fob n nj tfrip "a nor rr
Sal, 500, or q total of $4,000 for the term
of five years, before the national census
Is taken or completed.
"If by this census letter carriers of
this city receive the same salaries as
carriers OF other cities of same popula-
ton, and an increase of $34, $780, and pos
sibly $76,050, in five years; If eight an
ticipated carriers are allowed added to
this city's wealth without any tax, ad-
vertising to the world at large that we
have grown from 50,334 to a population
of 900 or over in six years. proofs to
the department that we have needs for
better service by this growth, does 1t not
narrow itself down to a business propo-
sition and leave no doubt what course
should be pursued in this matter.
'If, In my official position as postmas-
ter of Los Angeles, through the medium
of this census, have been instrumental
in giving better service to the patrons
of the office and citizens in general,
then l will feel my efforts are not in
vain, and the only hope Of reward Is to
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