Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-04-14
Machine Invented to Change Milk
Into a Powder.
MANY CHANGES in POSTAL SERVICE
During Days of Spoil System Post.
masters Were Leading Political Fac
tors in Communtles-Change Has
Brought About Greater Efficiency.
Drank j. stillman.)

they are not the whole thing as strik-
ingly appears from an invention re-
Gently introduced by a Swedish doctor
that has for its object the conversion
of skim milk into flour or powder
capable of being kept for long time
and easily traI> ported. The machine
used is styled an "eXsiccator." The
value of large exsiccator, which is
guaranteed day in and day out, to evap-
crate SIS gallons of skim milk in 1O
thousand enc has bene in steady op-
Grafton since last December with re-
suits Indicated is about $1,000. These
machines are now being built for ten
large Swedish diaries, and it is said
Americans are interested in the new
and novel scheme The Swedish author
tiles make this pertinent claim: The
yearly output of skinned milk from our
diaries amounts to 15S, $4,000 SALONS
and this product made into flour will
possess as great market value as tile
total output of butter. 1t has been
demonstrated that the flour, which is
really high soluble powder when dis
solved at a temperature of so to T0I
degrees above zero in a proper guam
tlty OF waer, gives solution with the
same taste, smell and other qualities
as common milk Skinned milk does
not rank high as a nutriment in the
calf and pig pens of Iowa; as flour it
may have a richer flavor.
Changes in the Postal Service.
The days when the postmasters did
about everything else except PERSONAL
ly attend to their official duties. have
passed for good remarked a postal
otlclal to your correspondent recently,
and the comparatively heavy increase
IN the removals OF postmasters for
cause during the past year is note
worthy IN calling this fact to the at
tention OF the public. | will give YOU
line or two Of general interest.
A Political Leader.
Under the old spoils system the
postmaster used to be one of the lead.
ing political factors of his district and
would build UP his political machine
largely through his postmastership
But this is changed now. Last wear
the department removed for cause no
less than tifty-four presidential post.
masters, as against forty-nine for the
year previous, an increase of five
while 1t decapitated TIA fourth class
postmasters, as against 6S7 for the
year previous, an increase of twenty
seven.
Efficiency Never Greater
"The efficiency of postmasters was
never greater than at present, and this
Is largely because of the policy of the
department in holding them down rig.
idly to business and to a strict respon-
slbllity as regards the conduct of their
oiflces. Carelessness and irregulari.
ties are not overlooked The benefit
the public derives is better and more
efficient operation of the entire postal
system, as the good effects of the dis.
clpline extend to all grades of the pub
lie service
designations.
The designations in all classes of
postmasters show large increase
those in the presidential class being
seventy-three, as against forty-eight in
the preceding year, an increase of
twenty-five. Presidential offices paw
such good salaries that it may at first
thought occasion surprise that post.
masters should resign so freely. | at
tribute largely the designations in the
matter of increase of these desirable
positions to the prosperous times, as
men are discovering that they can
make more money out of office than in,
The designations of fourth class of.
fees decreased 131 under the preced-
ing year, the total number being $3.50.
These designations are heavy each
year, and will always continue so. If
III NII tho no o,l,, q
tiers of the fourth class resigned last
year, the principal reason may be stat.
ed to be that most of them found that
being postmaster wasn't what it
was cracked up to be and they got out.
This high per cent of designations
OF fourth class offices continues along
year after year, but when it is recalled
that there are thousands and thousands
OF postofiices that pay under $50 per
year the readiness of the occupants to
let go what they strove so hard to get
may be better understood.
1T was good year as regards the
health of the postmasters of the coun-
try as great class, only forty-four
presidential postmasters vacating Of
flee by reason of death, as against
fifty-three of the year previous and
T9l fourth class postmasters shuffiing
off, as against S95 of the previous year.
When a postmaster violates the
avs and regulations, and the offense
loes not seem to be of sufficient gray
ty to warrant his removal from Office,
an official reprimand is forwarded to
him. a copy of which is filed with the
division of appointments against his
record. These complaints go against
him when he comes I'm for reappoint.
ment at the end of his four-year term.
and might be the means of defeating
his hopes"
Business in Staple Lines.
A late summary of internal CON-
merce report has quite wide range of
figures concerning the magnitude of
business in the leading staples of the
United States In live stock the traf-
fic operations at five western centers
amounted during February to 47.933
cars, having advanced from Al 1857 in
February, 1902, a remarkable gain.
Receipts of wheat in eight markets
to the end of February for the current
crop year, were 201 ,509,2 bushels, as
against 1S5,320,740 for the same period
q VAR a on THE f1pljrs trade of 1J;,.a