The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-11-11
He Says the system Has Become q
Permanent Feature and Has Gre
ated No Deficiency.
ADMIRAL TAYLOR'S REPORT
NAVY Is SAID TO BE IN BAD WAY
FOR LACK OF OFFICERS.
Disposition of Northumberland Gro
xier on the New Army Musket
and Field Gun.

WASHINGTON, Nov. 10.-The annual re-
port of Robert j. Wynne, first assistant
postmaster general urges that in view of
the success of the rural free delivery estab-
lishment and its future necessities. the rec
ommendtion for $l2 655, 500 in the estimates
for that purpose is reasonable. The amount
is an increase of little more than S, 0O0.0 600
over the current fiscal year. To correct
what the report considers the injustice of
compelling postmaster to pay part Of his
salary for clerk hire. Mr.. wynne urges leg
islation authorizing the Postoffice Depart
ment to make allowances for clerk hire at
third-class postoffices when 1t is satisfac-
torily shown that the postmaster, by de-
voting his time and attention to the office,
is unable to transact the postofice bust
ness.
The ACCESSIBILITY Of erecting public build
ings for the establishment of branch post
offices in cities is discussed and the plan is
Endorsed as economical 10 the government.
The report says the establishment and ex-
tension Of pneumatic tube service will make
it necessary to secure permanent sites for
stations in the large cities. The report says
an eort has been made to equalize the sal
aries of clerks in first and second-class
postoffices by promotion OF low-salaried but
efficient clerks. At the larger first-class
offices clerks are not now working in ex-
cess of eight hours a day, but II Is i'm
practicable in existing conditions to give
clerks in the smaller ofices eight hours
continuous service. An effort Is being made
to reduce their house to a fair basis.
I'm the city delivery service a plan Is pro-
posed whereby in the larger cities subcar-
riers shall receive al least $50 a month and
in the smaller cities SIS a month Subcar-
riers cannot now count on a fixed income.
Authority is asked to charter for a period
Of ten years (six years beyond the limit
fixed by law for the small swift steamer,
constructed with special reference to hand
ling mails to and from the great lakes
steamers while passing at full speed This
service, begun several years ago at Detroit,
has grown in efficiency and appreciation un-
til Ii has become an almost Indispensable
feature of lake navigation"
The rural free delivery system, the re-
port says has become permanent feature
of the postal service and the service has in
creased the postal receipts and improved
conditions wherever it has been put in oper-
alton. No deficiency, 1t is said, will be
created by this service. 1t will be left to
Congress to say whether establishment of
routes already laid out shall be FASTENED
and the installation of routes In course of
investigation expedited. Additional appro-
priations must be made for this purpose.
IL is recommended that Congress make
provision for leave of absence with full
pay for rural carriers, not to exceed fifteen
days in fiscal year. Extension to rural
carriers of power to receive and register
letters has proved so acceptable a benefit
that IL Is purposed further to increase their
usefulness by adding, under proper regu-
lations, an extension of the money order
system to rural routes. Rural carriers
are now empowered to receipt for money
orders. 1t is intended, after the first of
January, next. to empower them also to
pay money orders at the residences of
known patrons of the routes.
The maximum fee for a money order (sl00)
is 30 cents. 1t is recommended that the
maximum be reduced to 20 cents, with pro-
portionate reductions wherever the amount
exceeds $50.