Hutchinson gazette. [volume] (Hutchinson, Kan.) 1895-1902, 1898-01-27
FREE DELIVERY.
interesting Information Regarding tho
Carrier Service at Large Offices.
ABUSE OF THE SICK LEAVE.
Bill to Cut on the Allowances Made by
Congress to Contestants Pension De-
elsIOn-FinanciaI Bill Allowance
to Agricultural Colleges.

information regarding the carrier de-
livery service at so of the largest post
offices of the country. One of the
principal points made prominent is
that relating to the percentage of the
cost of the carrier service In New
York this percentage is 1874; in Chi
cago, 2979; Philadelphia, 80 %: Brook
lyn, 5l.74; Boston, 80. 3S; st. Louis,
20.62; Baltimore, S4.92; San Francisco,
1928; Cincinnati, 1929; Cleveland,
%. so; Buffalo, 1855; New Orleans,
26. 26; Pittsburgh, 2l99; Washington,
S4.66; Rochester, $3.50; Kansas City,
~; indianapolis, 9l.9S; Denver, "a. %;
Syracuse, 1906; Richmond, 1888; At
lanta, 1924. The number of square
miles served by carriers in the
above named cities is in round
numbers: New York, IS; Chi
cago, 1873; Philadelphia, 100; Brook
Ign, 36; Boston, SO; st. Louis, So; Balti-
more, so; San Francisco, AZ; Cincinnati,
81; Cleveland, 80; Buffalo, 40; New Or
leans, So; Pittsburgh, IS; Washington,
30; Rochester, IA; Kansas City, IS; In
dianapolis, 30; Syracuse, 19; Richmond
.; Atlanta, IL. New York, Philadel-
phia, Boston and Baltimore have each
a large force of men on seven delivery
trips in business districts and New
York and Chicago a large force on six
delivery trips in these districts. In
New York city 82s carriers are en-
ployed in business districts where nine
deliveries are made.
Abuse OF the Sick Leave.
WASHINGTON, Jan. %. Some very
radical legislation for the better CON
duct of the departments in Washing
ton is contained in the present legis.
lative, executive aud judicial bill
which has passed the house and has
been favorably reported by the appro-
priations committee of the senate.
The reforms which are to be inaugu-
rated are due to the efforts of Con-
gressmen Dockery, of Missouri, and
Bingham, of Pennsylvania. One OF
the most important reforms is one
which abolishes the 3O-days' sick
leave, heretofore granted to all en-
ployes of the government This sick
leave has been in addition to 80 days
annual leave which all the clerks are
allowed. Under the present law the
clerks, or at least majority of them,
have had little compunction about re.
porting themselves as sick when they
were in reality perfectly well and able
to attend to their duties. Statements
from the different departments of the
number of persons who had availed
themselves of the 30-days' annual sick
leave during the year showed a
most shameful abuse of privilege.
OF the 2,745 employees in the
treasury department, 1886 availed
themselves of the sick leave. the
average number of days taken being
1882, and 30 had additional sick leave.
of the 3, 40 employees in the interior
department, 2,3S3 availed themse Ives
of the sick leave, the average number
of days taken being l47G. The re.
ports from the other departments
showed about the same averages. The
bill also includes provisions that here,
after it shall be the duty of each head
of a department to require monthly
reports to be made to him as to the
condition of the public business in
each bureau in his department. and in
such cases where the reports show the
public business is in arrears the head
of the department shall require an ex-
tension of the hours of service. In.
stead of annual reports, the heads OF
all executive departments of the gov.
eminent are required to make quar-.
terly reports to the president
AGAINST Contest Allowances.
WAsHINGToN, Jan. -. Congressman
Burke, of Texas, has introduced a bill
to cut of the allowances made by con-
greSs to contestants Speaking of his
bill. Mr.. Burke said: Since the pas.
sage of the law allowing the contest.
ant, and contestees each the sum of
$4,000 for expenses of contest 157 con-
tests have been fled in the house
and the allowance for the same under
the law is 1923, OOO In the Fifty-Fourth
and Fifty Fifth congresses % contests
were filed and in these the allowances
amounted under the law to 1912, OOO
To pay contestant for presenting his
own case stimulates contests by offer
ing premium for each case instituted. y
A Pension DecIniOn.
WASHINGTON. Jan. 25.-Assistant Sec.
rotary Davis, of the interior depart
ment, has rendered decision holding
that there is no law providing a PEN
sion for the widows of soldiers who die
of disease contracted in the service in
time of peace prior to March 4, 1851.
The law applies only to cases where
the death cause was incurred or con-
tracted while in the performance OF
military service. during certain wars
specifically named and designated in
the several acts granting such pen.
sionA
Elkina' financial Bill.
WASHINGTON, Jan. Ex-senator Ell.
kins has introduced financial bill. It