, 1898-11-25
OFFICE REPORT
FIRST ASSISTANT HEATH MAKES
IMPORTANT RECOMMEND
ATIONS.
Change Of Hours and New Classifica-
tion-Carrier Sergeants and Con-
Allowance For Vacations-Ru-
raj free delivery System Wanted.

aAN - AAN"Nh
has completed his annual report ex-
cept the portions relating to military
postotfices at the army camps and in
the Antilles and Philippines and the
rural free delivery service. both Of
await further advice.
The general business of the depart
ment shows an increase Of 5 5000. 900
the fiscal year. This year there
were 81, 79S, 07S domestic money orders
against 5,169 ,O55 last yea the
amount carried was 1884. 121.
against s174,4S2,C 76. There were 1858
new money order offices established.
The recommendations for congress
sional action are numerous and inter-
Mr.. Heath recommends that
in postoffices be classified and
placed upon a fixed scale of salaries,
to that of letter carries, so as
to give a afr prospect of advancement
and certainty of compensation.
An appropriation of $50, 900 900 is re-
1uestei for the employment of substi-
clerks to allow vacation. An APP
preparation of $11 800, 900. and increase
of 800, 900 over this year. is
mended for the next fiscal year for
hire.
The consolidation of postoffices is
again recommended. Congress is ask
I'd to repeal the law f%orbidding the alb
Of a postoftice located at any
county seat by a consolidation OF post
offices. The abolition Of small post
Dficescontiguous TO a large Office hay
ing free delivery and the establishment
Of stations and sub-stations in lieu
hereof, Mr.. Heath says. has been found
to result not only in a vastly improved
public service, but is a substantial saw
ing in expenses and he desires author
to continue the plan.
Authority is asked to make the clerk
hire appropriation apply to all classes
If postoffices. At present an allowance
FOR clerk hire can only be given to first
and second class postmasters. Many
third class postoficeS which only es-
by a few hundred dollars of re-
,eipts from being included in the sec
ond class have so much business that
t is impossible for n one person to
properly attend to it. and postmasters
are constantly copelled to pay for such
help as they need out OF their
OWN salaries.
There are 2,91O third class postofi-
,es, 100 second class and 176 first class.
Free delivery was extended during the
year to 50 offices. Additional offices
entitlued to free delivery number ITO.
the current year fiscal service
has. been established at "a OF these
offices leaving 76 to await the consid-
Of the department.
The first assistant postmaster gener-
al recommends a modification OF the
light hour law as applied to letter car
riers so as to provide eight hours OF
six days work and only as many hours
On Sunday within the eight-hour limit
as are absolutely necessary for the re-
1uirements OF the service. The recon-
is in accord with the views
expressed by the convention OF post
masters recently held at Detroit
It is believed its adoption would meet
The approval Of the letter carries them
MIR. Heath recommends an audi
tional grade Of carrier to be known as
sergeants in all cities having
50 carriers or more and that these posi-
tons be assigned by competitive ex-
among carriers who have
served five years or more. The duties
of these sergeants would be to super
wise the work of the letter carriers on
their routes and to investigate COM
plants.
Mr.. Heath asked an appropriation
for salaries Of carriers at established
offices for the next fiscal year OF $l2,-
697, 200; for the salaries Of the letter
carriers at new Offices, 100000; o
horse hire allowance. $4,000; a fare
and bicycles. 3195 900; all other In
cidentals, $780, 0O. making a grand to-
tai for this service Of $14,512. 200.
A detailed report of the operations
the rural free delivery will be pre-
scented within a few days. Congress
Increased the appropriation for this
purpose from $4,000 to $4,000, and
Mr.. Heath recommends in view OF the
success ofw the extension Of the ser
vice and the satisfaction it has given
that an appropriation OF 100000 be
made for rural free delivery during the
next fiscal year.