The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1903-12-03
BR|STOW'S IDEAS
Kansas Man Sends in His An
nua| Report.
HIS RECOMMENDATIONS
Several Directions in Which
Service May Be Bettered

Washington, Dec 1.-The annual report
of Fourth Assistant Postmaster General
Bristow for the fiscal year ended June 30
last makes the following recommended
in the opinion of the postmaster general;
that the interstate commerce law be
riers from aiding and abetting in the
green goods, lottery or any other scheme
common carrier. in violation of the postal
laws; that special agents and postoffice
inspectors be hereafter designated rural
agents: that the provision that rural car
riers shall not be prohibited from doing
an express package business be repealed;
that the maximum of a rural carrier be
increased TO $3.50 per- annum for route
of . miles or more in length and the en-
actment of a law requiring assistant post
masters, cashiers and other employees TO
give bonds to postmasterS direct, and
holding persons responsible under their
own bonds. The estimated expenditure
for both city and rural and free delivery
service during the fiscal year ending July
LIST next will aggregate about 10000
There were 15.eS1 appointments of post
masters during the year and the removals
of postmasters for cause showed de
crease. There were 4,i62 postoffices discon-
tinued of which 2,163 resulted from the
extension OF rural free delivery, the sal
aries of the postmasters of the latter Of
fees aggregating s121 1872. During the year
postmasters were dropped from the rolls
as follows:
designations, presidential. 81; fourth
class. SET; removals, presidential, II;
fourth class. 1858; deaths. presidential,
Sc: fourth class. 713 On July last there
were 74,160 postoffices, of which 242 were
first class, 11s7 second class. $3.50 third
class and 69,130 fourth class. City free
delivery service was established at 81
postoffices during the year. making a
total Of IO33 free delivery Offices
There are now in operation 1880 rural
free delivery routes. 1t is estimated that
3 $50 additional routes can be established
out of the appropriation now available,
making PISS which VIII De In operation
or ordered established by March l. 1904.
To maintain the service on these routes
during the fiscal year from July list. 1894.
to June 80 1866 will require sl3,56o.ooo.
II congress provides for an increased
number of agents as requested it will re-
auire about SIG. 100000 to maintin and in
stall the service.
If the maximum salary of the carriers
is increased from 500 to $3.50 per annum
as recommended it will necessitate al
increase in the above estimate of about
% per cent.
Mr.. Bristow's report further says:
AN investigation which is still in pro-
gress has shown that for a number OF
years supplies for the free delivery service
have not been purchased with an eye sin
gle to the public interests. Both in the
matter of quality and the cost Of equip
ment the ruling has been individual gain.
This applies 70 articles furnished under
regular contract such as street collection
boxes and carriers satchels, as well a.
10 those bought in the open market under
the exigency prevailing. which has been
much abused Favored contractors. abet-
ted hy a trusted but unfaithful ocial.
have corrupted the pubic service. IN
early and thorough reformation will be
rnent with prospect OF improved service
at reduced cost. Fraudulent contracts
have been abrogated In the re-letting Of
contracts honest competition will have
fa,r ard free play.