The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-06-16

HAVANA. June 15-Director OF Pest
Bristow issued statemen. today embody
ing the features of the general postofic
reorganization which he has effected. Ii
small offices where the receipts are les
than S2,GC0 a year the salaries will b
about the same as in the United States
except that in the United States the post
masters are permitted to retain percent
| age OF the receipts, whereas the Cubar
postmasters will be required to remit thei
| gross receipts and will receive their sal
| airy by check through the disbursing Of
fcer
In Offices where the receipts are ovel
s2.C0O definite schedule has been adopted
fixing the salaries lower than those PAID
| in similar offices in the United States
| but clerk hire allowances are made in this
| class Of Offices. The effect OF this Is to
| increase salaries at some points and lower
them at others. the compensation being
based on the amount of business done.
This reorganization in eleven of the
largest offices outside of Havana, together
with other changes in carriers and clerks,
saves S11,700. Reductions on a larger
scale are expected in the small offices,
where salaries ranging from $1,000 to
sl.4oo year have been paid irrc-
spective Of the amount of business done.
The friends of ex-Director Of Posts
Rathbone maintain that this was neces-
sary because the officers were Americans
teaching Cubans the business. Now hav-
ing accomplished this. the Americans will
be replaced by Cubans, who will work for
less money.
over 200 OF these small offices are yet
to be reorganized. 1t is expected the re-
organization Will effect a total saving Of
over $4,000. During the past two weeks
tne work OF the department has gone
along smoothly. despite all the reductions
that have been made in the force. None
OF the clerks is overworked.
Economies in other directions are being
effected in the department. The misceI-
Ianeous expenses last year were $4,000.
This Item covered a multitude of sins.
twenty thousand dollars is considered
large estimate for that account. Printing
and stationery last year cost $50. 600. Some
OF these bills were paid twice and many
OF them were extravagant. The estimate
for this year is believed to be $4,000.
Furniture last year cost 10000 Much of
this expense was justifable. This year
there is no furniture OF any consequence
over $1,000. Last year $4,000 was allowed
for per diems. This has been knocked out
this year.
Rathbone's friends say that the Post
Office Department at Washington ordered
these per diems against Rathbone's pro-
test. An increase of from $40. GOO to $40. 900
is expected in the expens IS for the trans
portation of the mails along the coast.
Last year these mails were carried prac-
tically free. but the steamer owners now
demand compensation for the work The |
gross reductions, counting those above re-
ferred TO. make probable reduction in the |
expenses next year of from s150OG0 to
S160.000.
Last year the expenses amounted to |
ss12,C00. and the receipts s25O. .OGO, leaving |
a deficit of 1862 600. The receipts are now |
$1,000 daily, which will make the total |
for the year approximately $685., 900. On |
this basis the deficit for the year is esti-
mated at $4,000. If this proves to be the
case considerable burden will be lifted |
from the island treasury which is now so |
heavily drawn on from all sources.
In consequence of the reductions in the |
salaries of special agents FIVE designations
were received today. Seibold and Neal, |
who made the examination of Neely's al
legged accounts on April %. and made a |
fiattering report thereon, are among the |
number.