The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-12-03
While 10! Were Discontinued, Owing
to the Extension of the Free
Delivery System.
TWELVE COUNTIES COMPLETE
INDIANA AHEAD OF OTHER STATES
IN GENERAL SYSTEMS.
Recommendations of the Fourth As
sistant Postmaster GeneraI-Fraud-
ulent Contracts Abrogated.
,ecial to the Indianapolis journal.


WASHINGTON, Dec. 2.-More than 1900
postoffices and nearly 10000 rural free de-
livery routes are now in operation in the
United States. There has been a decline of
about LOCO in the number of postoffices and
an increase of about 100 per cent. in the
number of rural routes in the past year.
These facts are cited in the annual report
of Mr.. Bristow, fourth assistant postmaster
general. covering the fiscal year ended June
30 last, which was made public to-day
In Indiana there are 1852 postoffices, OF
which 1s5 presidential, and 1,677 of the
fourth class.
Up to Nov. /, 1899 petitions had been
filed in the department for the establish
ment Of rural free delivery in Indiana. OF
this number 1855 have been ests blished
and are now in opreation. Adverse reports
were made on 2S1 petitions, and SSS still
await action.
The extension of rural free delivery dur
ing the past few years is the cause for the
reduction in the number of postofices
throughout the country. Twenty postofices
were established In Indiana during the past
year, and Isl were discontinued The num-
Der of establishments throughout the coun-
try has dropped from 1900 in 1902 to about
An interesting feature of the report Is a
table showing the average compensation
or postmasters in each of the States, and
the amount expended per capita In the
use of the mails by the people of the
United States.
DELIVERY STATISTICS.
The statistics relating to the collection
and delivery of mails on rural free delivery
routes is of great interest, and show in a
striking manner the remarkable growth
of the service. More than 3O9,0OO0OO pieces
of mail were delivered and 4S,s54, $3.50 pieces
collected by rural carriers in the six
months period ended June 30 last. OF this
mail delivered, 1894 pieces were regis
tered. and of the collections, 143,O57 were
registered. A total of 26,OO9, 7O2 pieces were
delivered, and 3,5O2,47S pieces collected on
rural routes in Indiana
The stamps Cancelled by carriers on
routes In lndiana for the period Of six
months were valued at $67,922.
In view of the demand in Indiana for
county systems of rural free delivery the
discussion of that subject by Fourth AS
sistant Bristow will be of interest in the
State:
'"The laying out of an efficient county
service" says Fourth Assistant Bristow.
calls for careful work of one more ex-
perienced agents for from one to three
months. and when so much of it is UNDER
taken as during the past two years, the
/ ual routes is greatly delayed. While there
| is a strong demand for the extension of
the service in this way, still, In view of the
| fact just stated, and considering the large
number of petitions yet pending, it is be-
| lived the establishment of county service
| should be restricted until such time as rural
| free delivery, In response TO petitions al
ready filed, is SO generally feature of the
| postal facilities of the country that COM
plete or county hervice in localities special
| ly adapted to rural free delivery is the
natural outgrowth of existing service II
may be urged that this is already the condi-
| tion in many localities, but it is only fair
and just that such communities should
await the perfecting of the system until
the long standing petitions of people less
favored have been given attention.
Up to June 30 last the general system had
been established in twelve counties I'm In
/ diana, namely: Bartholomew, Daviess,
Delaware, Gibson, Grant, Hamilton, JEFF
ferson Madison. Marion. Noble, Posey and
Tippecanoe. Since then orders have been
| issued for its establishment i'm Howard,
| Randolph and Warrick counties. and as
surances have been given that a complete
| system Will be put In operation in Spencer
| county some time during the current fiscal
/ year.
Indiana has more county systems than
| any other State In the Union. New York
and Illinois are second, with nine each, and
| Tennessee third, with eight
RECOMMENDATIONS.
Mr.. Bristow makes the following recon-
| mendations: An appropriation to construct
inspectors lookouts in postoffices wherever
necessary in the opinion of the postmaster
general; that the interstate commerce law
be amended so as to prohibit common car
riers 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 here
after designated rural agents: that the pro-
vision that rural carriers shall not be pro-
hibited from doing an express package bus
mess be repealed; that the maximum of a
rural carrier be increased from $500 TO $75(
| year for a route of twenty-five miles OF
more in length and the enactment of law
requiring assistant poStmasterS, cashiers
and other employees TO give bonds To post.
masters direct and holding postmasters re.
sponsible under their own bonds.
The estimated expenditure for both cit,
and rural free delivery service during tn,
fiscal year beginning July l next will ag
gregate about si7000,0O0. There were 1896
appointments of postmasters during tn,
year and the removals of postmasters fo
cause showed a decrease. There were 446
postofices discontinued. of which 2.163 re
suited from the extension of rural free de
livery. the salaries of the postmasters of tn
latter offices aggregating sl2l .332.
Mr.. Bristows report further says: "Al
investigation, which is still in progress, ha
shown that for number of years supplie
for the free delivery service have not beer
purchased with an eye single to the publ
interests. Both in the matter of qualit,
and the cost OF equipment the ruling ha
been individual gain. This applies to article
furnished under regular contracts. such a
street collection boxes and carriers satch
els, as well as TO those bought in the opel
market under. .exigency privileges, which
has been much abused. Favorite contrac
tors, abetted by trusted but unfaithfll
| official, have corrupted the p,:.,lic service
| An early and thorough reformation will b
undertaken along the line OF service equip
l-ment, with theS prospective result OF Inn
proved service reduced cost Fraudulen
contracts have cen abrogated. In the re
. letting OF contr4 is honest competition Wi
have fair and Zee play