The Tomahawk., 1903-12-11
Fourth Assistant Postmaster Gen.
eral Tells Of Reforms Needed
to Better the Service.
He GIVES SOME INTERESTING
INFORMATION In ANNUAL REPORT
United states Had a Total Of 74,165
Post Offices ON July Last-AlmOst
10000 Rural Free Delivery Routes
Now in Observation-Disclosures Re-
cent Postal Scandal. &

Washington, Dec. 4.-Ihe annual re-
port of Fourth Assistant Postmaster
General Bristow, for the fiscal year
ended June 30 last, makes the following
recommendations: An appropriation to
construct inspectors lookouts in post
offices wherever necessary in the opinion
of the postmaster general; that the in
terstate commerce law be amended SO
as to prohibit common carriers from
aiding and abetting in the green goods,
lottery or any other scheme, carried on
partly by mail and partly by common
carrier, in violation Of the postal laws;
that special agents and postal inspectors
be hereafter designated rural agents;
that the provision that rural carriers
shall not be prohibited from doing an
express package business be repealed;
that the maximum of rural carrier be
increased to $3.50 per annum for route
of rs miles or more in length. and the
enactment of law requiring assistant
postmasters, cashiers and other en-
ployes to give bonds to postmasters d.
rect and hold postmasters RESPONSE
BILE under their own bonds.
The estimated expenditure for both
city and rural free delivery service dur
ing the fiscal year beginning July next,
will aggregate about SAT 100000. There
were 15,O61 appointments of postmas-
tiers during the year and the removals OF
postmasters for cause showed decrease.
There were 4,462 post Offices discon-
tinued, of which 2,163 resulted from the
extension of rural free delivery, the
salaries of the postmasters of the latter
offices aggregating $121 1882. On July l
last, there were 74,165 post offices, OF
which 242 were first class, 1,107 second
class, $3.50 third class and So, l3O fourth
class. City free delivery service was
established during the year at ~ post
offices, making a total of 1882 free de-
livery offices. There are now In opera
ton 1898 rural free delivery routes.
It is estimated that $3.50 additional
routes can be established out of the ap-
preparation now available. making H.
678. which will be in operation or or
aered established by March 1,a19O4. To
maintain the service on these routes dur
ing the fiscal year from July l, 1904, to
June 80, 1905, will require $l3,56O,Ooo.
Investigation still Prosressins.
Mr.. Bristow's report further says:
IAN Investigation, which is still in prog
ress, has shown that for a number OF
years supplies for the free delivery serv-
ice have not been purchased with an eye
single to the public interests. Both In
the matter OF quality and the cost OF
equipment the ruling has been individu-
al gain. This applies to articles fur
nished under regular contract, such as
street collection boxes and carriers
satchels, as well rs to those bought in
the open market under exigency priv
ilege, which has been much abused
Favored contractors, abetted by q
tursted but unfaithful official, have cor
rupted the public service. An early
and thorough reformation will be un-
dertaken along the line of service equip
ment with the prospective result OF i'm
proved service at resuced cost. Fradu-
lent contracts have been abrogated. In
the reletting of contracts honest COM
petition will have fair and free play"