Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1902-10-30

class received during the year. of which,
30, 100 referred 10 letters and 1857 referred
20 packages. The above total shows an
increase OF SOC Tor 3 per cent? as COM
pared with the number OF cases of this
class received during the fiscal year
iso- OF these cases 4S,Css were investi-
gated during The year, as well as 3S,1oa
| cases Of the same c4ass which were re-
ceived in former years, making total
OF $3.50 cases disposed OF during the
fiscal year 1902 II was shown that nc
loss occurred in about % per cent. of the
cases investigated
MISCELLANEOUS COMPLAINTS.
The number OF cases Of this class re-
ferred to inspectors for investigation du-
ring the year was Il BIZ. In addition there
We're 49,06l cases left over from the pre-
ced.ng year. OF this total Of S1.5SS cases
o-.0o6 were closed. leaving 1882 cases on
hand July l, 1902
HIGHWAY ROBBERY OF MAILS.
During the fiscal year 1902 there were
Las robberies of post Offices. as com
pared with 1.6.5 In 1891; there were II
-obberies OF mail trains, as compared with
81 in 1901; I6 Of mail messengers, stan
route carriers and wagons. as compared
with 5 il 1851; 900 OF street and rural free
delivery letter boxes as compared with
IL in 1901. This large Increase is account
ed for by the growtn of the rural free
delivery service. is obvious that boxes
placed along the country highways are
much more liable 10 oepreda,ions than
those along city streets.
CLASS e GASES.
This class of cases covers inquiries aro
complaints relating to mail matter for
HarGed 10 and from foreign countries
During the year 2i1I6 cases OF this class
were received. of which 14S14 related to
registered matter, 90S7 to the ordinary
mail. and ~ were of a miscellaneous
nature.
ARRESTS FOR OFFENCES.
The total number of arrests during the
.iscal year as shown by Exhibit /. Wac
III OF this number H. We're postmas-
ceCs, IS were assistant postmasters, &;
we're clerks in post-olIices, 13 were rail-
way postal clerks, - We're letter car
ricrs, Is were mail carriers, and is were
9npIoyed in minor positions in the Pos,
III Service. The remainder Q.41O We're
persons not connected in any way with
-le posta! service; and among them We're
ST post-oaice burglars.
= L A l.
With an aggregate amount of S142.1 OF
hand. July l. 1901. there was collected the
sum Of SG51 91S.77. making total Of S3J2,
LIS to be accounted for, OF which
mount $352, 001.70 was disbursed, leaving
unexpended balance OF Sll9.1S at the
e ose of the year. Attention is invited
o the fact that the total amount of cash
collected (S35I 9.S.7O is ca per cent. of the
non for poSt-Offce
inspectors, S550.o0O
IDENTIFICATION OF CRIMINALS.
The matter OF the Identification of Grim
fna1s is one of Importance. The section
having charge Of this feature Of the worl,
1as been in operation since July l, 1893,
and is OF great value to the service. The
Identification section. throug.. the chief
5ost-o Office inspector, is a subscriber to the
National Bureau of Identification Tt
his national bureau are sent photo
graphs. measurements, and descriptions
Of criminals when arrested, and the in
formation OF that institution is at the
command OF the post-office inspectors.
CUBAN DEPARTMENT.
On May Goth. Inspector Fosnes delivered
o his Cuban successor the postal servic,
completely organized in its operations ano
accounts. completely equipped with mate
ia! and almost entirely CubaniZed II,
is personnel The transfer was effected
vithout a ripple Of disturbance. Among
he assets turned over to the new ad
rlinistratIon were postage stamps an6
stamped paper TO the amount of S117G9O.0i
sufficient for six-months' requirement
nd money order funds to the amount OF
1855 249.7S.
The administration of the postal affairs
d Cuba by Inspector Fosnes is a source
Of pride to this bureau. 1t was econom
zeal and efficient.
RECOMMENDATIONS.
The act of June Is. 1898. providing that
assistant postmasters. cashiers, and othei
snpioy ees in post-ofiices OF the first. sec
nd. and third classes shall give bono
;irect 10 the United States, has not prov
IN satisfactory in operation, and has
.aised a number OF legal questions, which
# decided in accordance with the con
ention of surctics and postmasters, MAY
esult in serious loss 10 the government
therefore, earnestly renew my recon
nendation that the act be repealed, ana
suggest a law be enacted requiring as.
sistant postmasters cashiers, and othel
employees to give bonds to posimasters
!irect, and holding postmasters respon
:ble under their own bonds for any ano
all acts and defaults occurring at theii
respective Offices.
| further recommend:
That an appropriation be made for the
purpose of constructing look-outs where.
yer. in the opinion OF the Postmaster
General. the same may be needed.
That the interstate Commerce law b.
ernended to prohibit common carriers-to
Wit. telegraph and express companies
or any of their employees, from aiding
and abetting in The green goods or iotteT!
swindlers or any other scheme carried or
partly by mail and partly by common car