Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1904-01-11

On. July 1, 1902, there were pending
1l,72S petitions. During the year. S,33g
cases were made up for investigation,
Lila cases were reported adversely
and $3.50 routes were established
leaving 11.700 petitions pending June
80, 1903
Rural Carriers.
The designations of 2,S79 carriers
were accepted during the year, about
10 per cent of the whole number many
of them stating that they find II un-
profitable to continue in the service.
Seventy carriers We're removed for
cause. of which number sevent were
arrested for violation of the postal
laws. The deaths of eighty-six car
riers were reported.
Under the law the salary of rural
carriers cannot exceed $500 per an
mum. and no other allowance can be
made. blu: it is provided that they shall!
not he prohibited from doing an ex-
press package business. The provision
of law under which rural carriers are
permitted to do an express package
business was intended by congress- to
provide means OF additional compen-
sation, but 1t Is so broad in Its terms
that the way has been opened for 4
serious loss of revenue to the postal
service. The department has endeav-
ored to restrict the express matter
carried by rural carriers to such as Il
not mailable as fourth class mail mat
ter, but advantage is taken of the law
by business firms to secure the dis
tribution of large quantities of adrer-
Using matter by the rural carriers:
Legislation Suggested.
Among the recommendations for
legislation, which are submitted
for the consideration of congress are
the following:
That lump sum" appropriation for
clerks in the first and second class
postofiices be allowed, instead of an
at present.
That Where a clerk or letter carrier
has been twenty-five years IN the
service and shall have attained the age
of 65 years, the postmaster general
shall be empowered, upon the recon-
mendation of the postmaster. TO en-
ploy a substitute for such clerk or let
ter carrier. which substitute shall re-
ceive not to exceed two-thirds of his
salary the other one third to go to
such clerk or letter carrier.
That a penalty be provided for the
counterfeiting of an official post mark
ing stamp. or for the use of such stamp
for an improper purpose.
That the provisions made by con-
gress in the last two appropriation bills
for the payment of $1,000 to the legal
Representatives of every railway mail
clerk killed in the line of duty be ex-
tended to the substitute clerks as well
as regular clerks.
That salaries of clerks in classes 2
and in full railway postoffices in
crews where four or more clerks run
over the entire length of the line be in
creased from $500 per annum to $1,000
per annum and from $1,000 to $1,000
per annum. respectively.
That suitable legislation be had pro-
viding a monthly salary of not less
than $50 for each substitute clerk in
the railway mail service, with the un-
that he will be subject to
the call of the department for at least
eleven days labor a month, whether as
substitute or otherwise.
That congress earnestly consider the
propriety of granting an annuity to
railway postoffice clerks who are per-
worn out thru long, faithful service.
That sum of 100000 be appropriate
ID, to be Immediately available, for the