Daily new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1897-1906, 1903-12-03
POSTAL STATISTICS
Annual Report Of FourthAssist-
ant Postmaster General
Bristow.
MAKES FEW RECOMMENDATIONS
Wants Rural Carriers Salaries In
creased-severai Thousand Addi-
tional Routes to Be Established
Fair Play for Honest Competition.

Washington, Dec 3.-The annnal
General Bristow for the fiscal year
ended June 80 last makes the follow
ing recommendations
An appropriation to construct in
spectors' lookouts in postoffices wher-
ever necessary in the opinion OF the
postmaster general; that the inter-
state commerce law be amended so as
to prohibit common carriers from aid
ing and abetting in the green goods,
lottery or any other scheme, carried
on partly by mail and partly by CON-
mon carrier, in violation of the postal
laws; that special agents and route
inspectors be hereafter designated as
rural agents; that the provision that
rural carriers shall not be prohibited
from doing an express package bust
ness be repealed; that the maximum
of rural carrier be increased to $3.50
per annum for a route of 25 miles or
more in length, and the enactment of
a law requiring assistant postmasters
cashiers and other employees to give
bonds to postmasters direct and hold
ing postmasters responsible under
their own bonds
Cost of Free Delivery.
The estimated expenditure for both
city and rural free delivery service
during the fiscal year beginning July |
next will aggregate about $1,000 600
There were 1861 appointments of
postmasters during the year and the
removals of postmasters for cause
showed a decrease. There were 4,46o
postoffices discontinued, of which
2,163 resulted from the extension of
rural free delivery.
On July l last there were 74,169
postoffices, of which 242 were first
class, 1,107 second-class, $500 third
class and $3.50 fourtb.class. City
free delivery service was established
during the year at SO postoffiees, max.
ing a total of 1882 free delivery of
foes.
There are now in operation 1898
rural free delivery routes It is esti-
mated that $3.50 additional routes can
be established out of the appropria-
ton now available, making 22,67S,
which will be In operation or ordered
established by March 1, 1904 To
maintain the service in these routes
during the fiscal year from July /,
1904, to June 80, 1906. will require
s13. $4,000
II congress provides for an in.
creased number of agents as recon.
mended. It will require about $4,000
900 to maintain and install the ser
vice during the next fiscal year. II
the maximum salary of the carriers
is increased from 5000 to $3.50 per an
mum, as recommended, 1t will necessi-
tate an increase in the above esti-
mates of about 25 per cent.
Private Gain in Public Service.
Mr. Bristows report further says:
AN investigation, which Is still in
progress, has shown that for a mum.
Der of years supplies for the free de
livery service have not been pur-
chased with an eye single to the pub
lie interests. Both in the matter II
quality and the cost of equipment the
ruling consideration has been private
gain This applies to articles fur
nished under regular contract, such
as street collection boxes and carriers
satchels, as well as to those bought in
the open market under exigeney privi-
lege, which has been much abused.
Favored contractors, abetted by
trusted but unfaithful official have
corrupted the public service. An
early and thorough reformation will
be undertaken along the line of SER
vice equipment with the prospective
result of improved service at reduced
cost. Fraudulent contracts have been
abrogated. In the reletting of con-
tracts honest competition will have
fair and free play"