Willmar tribune., 1900-11-28
THE POSTAL SERVICE.
First Assistant Postmaster johnson
: Makes Some Important
II Recommen dati0ns.

&x Washington, Nov. M.-An enthusiastic
Plea for wide expansion of rural free
delivery Is made in the annualsreport Of
/ w. M. Johnson, first assistant postmaster
general. He says that the extraordinary
development of this system during the past
{ ~ months under thesstimulussof appropria
lions yof $3.50 900 for the fiscal year 1899 1900,
and $l,75O, 600 for the fiscal year 1900-19O1 is
conclusive as showing that hereafter it
must be a permanent and expanding fea-
ture of the postal administration. The
service can now be extended as swiftly as
congress may direct or as the means per-
init. until 1t covers. all those portions of
the United States now reached in whole
or part by the more primitive methods
o. the postal service, which have come
down to us almost without change from
colonial times. This change Mr.. Johnson
believes can be effected without excessive
cost to the government. :. Under ordinary
conditions full route is considered to be
IS miles, so devised that the carrier does
not pass over the same ground twice in the
same day. The congressional representa-
tive controls the appointments. The pay
o. Of the rural carrier is now from $500 to
$5OO per annum. There are no civ
IL service restrictions nor restrictions
as to sex, but it is tnexorably Rs
qu1red that appointees shall be of good
character. The present policy IS to ex-
eend rural delivery in accordance with the
demands made from all parts of the coun-
try, so that each individual route may be
dovetatled upon another route hereafter to
be started, and with this idea constantly
Kept In view, rural free delivery is eventu-
ally to extend over all well-settled rural
communities in the United States.
Bearing on the question Of COST state
ment compiled from the books of the Of
flee show that from December, 1899, to
November ], 1900, 439 star routes and mail
MESSENGER 9prv}0eS n 6icnpnfinUod
or curtailed. Between July: l and Novem-
ber l, 1900, the first four months of the pres
ent fiscal year, there have been 1888 addi-
t1onal rural free delivery routes installed,
supplying 922.S97 people.
Commencing July 4, next, 1t Is proposed
to include the cost of the postal service Of
Porto Rico and Hawaii in the regular ap-
preparation instead of paying the same
out of the military appropriation as at pres
ent. The total cost Of the Porto Rican
postal service for the last fiscal year was
little over $106. 900. and the probable cost
of the postal service for Hawaii for the
next fiscal year is $72,8A.
An appropriation Of $18 000, 900 is asked
for compensation for postmasters for the
next fiscal year. The regular free deliv-
cry service was established in 62 cities, ne
cessitating the appointment of 40 carriers,
making the total number Of free delivery Of
fees in operation June 80. last, 795. Four
A4SC NSAAVc1y O1ICSS nave OeeH 6SIdDl1Sllcu
In Porto Rico and Hawaii. Regular free
delivery, it is estimated, will cost ST. 140, 600
for tthe next fiscal year, an increase Of al
most nine per cent.
During the last fiscal year postal money
orders issued amounted to $255, ,670.2 .22S an
Increase of almost $31, ,0OO, 900. 1t is apparent
that If for the next two years the busi-
ness of the money order system increases
In volume correspondingly with that of the
past year its receipts will reach 81 .OOO. 900
per day. They are now about 900. The
net earnings of the money order system
were $l.340,642. The department purposes
to provide money order facilities for
all localities where they may prove
convenient. The number of offices has
now finally exceeded 10000 Interna-
tional money order business is now being
transacted with 40 foreign countries. Rec
ommendation is made that the fees for
domestic money orders be reduced to the
maximum of 20 cents for an order of 500.
the minimum of three cents to remain <as
at present. IL