Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-11-27
lNCREASEDPOSTAL REVENUE
EFFECT of GROWTH OF RURAL
FREE DELIVERY.
Annual Report of Mr.. johnson, the
First Assistant Postmaster
General.

[
295,394 came from 500 delivery cities. ae-
cording to the report of First Assistant
Postmaster General Johnson. The remain
ing 5000 presidential post offices yielded
s1G,oG3 252, while the 724I9 fourth-class
post offices produced s1s,913.5 $40. Mr.. john
son says the fact that the postal service in
the largest cities is practically perfect is
the explanation of why the annual percent
age of increase in the revenues of the free
delivery post offices should be three times
greater than in the smaller cities and five
times as large as that of the fourth class
Offices. AS rural free delivery reaches out
into the country, giving equal facilities
without regard to locality, he says 1t in
creaSeS the revenues at rate at least
equal to that maintained in the free deliv-
cry cities, where during the past five years
ii has averaged per cent. AT the end or
the present fiscal year 5000 rural routes
will be in successful operation. 5000 being
in effect by December 2. The latter figure
represents just 30 per cent of the applica-
lions for such service filed since its inau-
guration five years ago. The infexible pol
icy Is announced of avoiding hereafter
maintenance of unnecessary post offices and
superf1uous star routes contemporaneously
with rural free delivery routes. July last
the force Of 4,3O1 rural carriers was serving
2,S40,644 people at a fraction over 10 cents
per capita, and December next 100000
free delivery. Every establishment of a
route, the report says, Is followed promptly
by steady Increase in the volume Of mail
both delivered and collected.
A self-Sustaining service, brought about
by the yearly increase on the postal reye-
nues resulting from general extension Of
rural free delivery. is the conclusion
reached.
City Free Delivery.
The city free delivery service now en-
braces S66 cities and towns, including four
in the new insular possessions, all these
employing an army of 1880 uniformed car
riers, who collect and carry the mails two
or more times each working day to 32,O0O,-
600 patrons. The total cost per annum to
the department for this service is 30 cents
per capita. The gross receipts of the free
delivery post offices were STA, 295, 395, an in
crease of over eleven per cent for the year
The total estimate for the next fiscal year
for this city delivery service is SIS, 1880
The average daily sales of money orders
in the United States, fees included, are
913,S14. The aggregate amount of money
orders issued was 1894, 61S,6S1, an increase
OF s39,Oo0;oOO for the year. In the five years
just passed the number of presidential
post offices has increased % per cent; sala-
ries of these postmasters increased IS per
cent; allowances for clerks in the first and
second-class offices. 10 per cent; the num-
Der of free delivery Offices SO per cent; the
number of carriers, 2S per cent; the cost of
the free delivery service "a per cent; the
increase of gross receipts at free delivery
offices, Al per cent; and money order bust
ness, 90 per cent.
Rural Free Delivery Carriers.
Mr. johnson suggests that Congress rec
ognize the rural free delivery system as
permanent and expanding feature of the
postal administration rather than an ex-
pertinent and make future appropriations
on that basis
THE most noteworthy effect of such
change In legislative language will be to
remove from the department the discretion
now exercised Of making appointments
without certiication from the civil service
commission
Mr.. Johnson says: There seems no good
reason why the special agents, route in
spectors and clerical force of the system
should not receive appointments and en-
JOY their tenure of Office under civil SER
vice rules The present force Of trained
and efficient employees whose experience
makes them invaluable to the proper con-
duct of the business should also be classi-
ned IN such manner as an executive order
may direct.
In regard to the rural carriers, however,
It Is debatable question whether 1t is
the department the discretion now exer-
cised in their appointment.
But If it should be deemed unwise at
this time to change the method of select
they should not have the protection and
sense of security which the civil service
system throws over incumbents of office
IN the classified service. 1t has been the
distinct policy of the department not to
remove carrier except for cause, but to
permit him to hold his position during
good behavior. But he is entitled to great
er protection than is afforded merely by
departmental policy, and he should have
his tenure of office assured to him by law,
unless he forfeits his right by miscon-
duct"
Among other recommendations are. A re.
'duction of money order fees 80 as to make
the maximum % cents, instead Of 80 cents:
1eclassiication Of clerks at first and sec
odao o post offices; an appropriation of
$50 ,OOO.O 600 for postmasters' salaries: the an
polntment OF a fourth assistant superinten-
dent of city delivery service to have charge
OF the southern field, and that at all the
larger post offices supervisor of car
riers' be appointed to have exclusive
charge of the force Of letter carriers.