Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-06-30

recently selected by President Mckinley
for the important position.
Mr.. Willett had the distinction of being
one of the few native Washingt on:ans who
held the office. and he enjoys as well the
pleasant retrospect that he administered
its affairs in a manner gratifying to the
community. to two administrations. differ
ent in political complexion. to his friends
and to himself. He retires from the office
consequently, with the good wishes of the
entire population. the respect and esteem
OF the large force of employees, whose in
terests he guarded so jealousy during his
official career. and he VIII De followed into
private life with most kindly sentiments
from the present administ rati0n as well.
What he will do is yet uncertain, but fron
the many proposit ions made him il is GER
tain that he will have a bright and pros
porous future.
His Jealous Efforts.
This result is not surprising Ia those who
know Mr.. Willett and have followed his
career. He brought to the office the expe-
rience he had gained lifelong business
man of the District. and his jealous efforts
in behalf of the pos tal service have borne
fruit from the beginning of his term. Uni
fOrmly genial and courteous to the patrons
OF the office it seemed. and has been fire.
quently remarked. a pleasure to him 10 in
Vestigate personally every complaint that
was made respecting bella ted letters erro-
neOus deliveries, etc. and his guiding prin-
clpaI IN the management of the office was
10 make the greatest good for the greatest
number
While Mr.. Willett was not Instrumental
in accomplishing the erection of the new
city post office building he was the first
postmaster to occupy it, and his sllgges-
uons regarding the furniture necessary for
the building and the distribution of floor
space were of great assistance to the SUI
pervising architects office, and have won
for him the communication of the Secretary
of the Treasury.
Marvellous Growth.
The growth of the office since Mr. Will
lett entered 1t in 1894 has been almost mar
Vicious. The receipts from all sources dur
ing the four quarters ended March II, 1899,
were s6s3,Gi4OS, a great improvement as
compared with $685. 1853 80 for the CORE
spending period ended March n, 1894 At
the beginning of Mr.. Willett's term there
were 90 clerks employed in the office, the
salary roll amounting to $3.50 100. Today
there are S}1 clerks in the office whose ag-
gregate salaries amount to $685. 400. In adj
dition to so large an increase in the num-
Der of clerks the records show that the
postmaster has promoted 50 per cent OF
the clerks during the time he was in the
office The large increase of force is due in
addition to the WORK entailed by reason of
the enhanced receipts, to the increases in
the volume of official matter handled by
the office. for which no postage is paid In
fact. the prepaid matter amounts only. to
about 30 per cent of the amount of mail
that passes through. The post office now
handles all the revenue stamps for the
Treasury Depa rtment, the volume of which
was more than S'r.ooo,ooo last year. Also
cent of the postal cards furnished to post
masters.
Increase in Facilities.
Another criterion of the development OF
the office is the increase in the number of
ular and substitute carriers, while there
are now DIT regulars and substitutes In
the matter of affording easy facilities to the
public FOR the purchase of post office sup
plies, such as stamps, stamped envelopes
money orders, registration. etc, Mr.. Will
lett was most jealous. In 1894 there were
sixteen SubStatiOnS in operation for this
purpose. Now there are forty-two which
means that a well-equpped branch post
office Is within easy access of every resi-
dent OF the city. When Mr.. Willett was APP
pointed there were only three carrier sta
tons, East Capitol, Georgetown and South
west Station. Station ''C'' being without
carriers, but doing the largest money order
and stamp sale transactions. Since then
carrier stations have been created at Ten
leytOwn. u. c.. known as Station e" Civ
ing that community first-cass postal IA
cilities; Station F. at Mt. Pleasant and,
more recently, Station C. in the Union
building on q street formerly occupied by
the main office.
street Railway Service.
Another Improvement noted is the street
railway postal service, which has been SO