The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-01-11
MANY CHANGES IN LAWS
ARE RECOMMENDED FOR
THE POSTAL SERVICE
Operations of the Postofice De
partment Reviewed by Mr..
Payne i'll Annual Report.
ALLUSION TO SCANDAL.
Suggestions as to Rural Mail Car
riers' SalarieS-Telephone
Scheme Endorsed.
Special to the indianapolis Journal.

Special to the Indianapolis Journal
WASHINGTON, Jan. 1O.-The annual re-
port of Postmaster General Henry c..
Payne was made public to-day 1t Is an
elaborate review of the operations of the
most popular department of the govern
ment, and contains vast amount of in
formation relating TO all branches of the
postal service. Much of its contents. how
ever, has hitherto been printed in the re-
ports OF assistants and heads of bureaus.
Mr.. Payne alludes to the pOstOffice scandal
in these words:
'On March I, 1903, an investigation was
ordered affecting the integrity of certain
officials connected with the Office OF the
assistant attorney general for the Post
office Department. the division of pOstOffice
supplies, the free delivery system. and the
division of salaries and allowances. The
investigation begun at that time had not
been concluded at the close of the fiscal
year. More than forty inspectors were de-
tailed for this work. AS a result Of the in
Nesugauon seventeen officials were sepa-
ted from the service by resignation or re
mOVal. Forty-four indictments were found
and thirty-one persons arrested, ten OF
service
Twenty-seven recommendations for legis-
lation, some of which have heretofore been
made, are submitted by Mr.. Payne for the
consideration of Congress. They follow:
THAT proper legislation be enacted to
acquire the title to block No. 324, in the
city of Washington, for the purpose of
erecting an annex to the present POstoffice
Department building.
That a lump sum appropriation for
clerks In the first and secOnd-class post
offices be allowed. instead of an appropria-
ton for clerks by grades present.
That where a clerk or letter carrier has
been twenty-five years in the service and
shall have attained the age OF sixty-five
years the postmaster general shall be en-
powered. upon the recommendation of the
postmaster, 10 employ a substitute for such
clerk or letter carrier, which substitute
shall receive not to exceed two-thirds OF his
salary, the other one-third to go to such
clerk or letter carrier.
THAT a system of postal checks be au-
thoriZed by Congress for the transmission
of small sums OF money through the mails.
That Congress consider the prOpriety of
authorizing postoffices in Porto Rico to re-
ceive small amounts on deposit, giving
thereon q rate of interest not TO exceed
per cent per annum.
That a law be enacted to prohibit the
establishment and maintenance of boxes to
be rented for the receipt OF mail without
authority from the Postoffice Department.
THAT a penalty be provided by law for
the mailing of explosives or infiammable
matter.
That a penalty be provided for the coun-
terfeiting of an official post-marking stamp
or for the use of such stamp for an i'm
proper purpose.
THAT law be enacted which shall pre-
vent furnishing to the department supplies
manufactured by convict labor.
That action be taken by Congress on the
report of the commission appointed TO select
a site for new postOffice building in the
city Of New York.
FOR RAILWAY MAIL CLERKS.
THAT the provision made by Congress in
the last two appropriation bills for the pay
ment of $1,000 to the legal representatives
of every railway mail clerk killed in the line
of duty be extended TO the substitute clerks
as well as TO regular clerks.
hot u11rf . orl~e 80
in full railway postoffices in crews where
four or more clerks run over the entire
length OF the line be increased from $500 per
annum to $1,000 per annum and from 81, 600
TO $l,1O0 per annum, respectively.
That suitable legislation be had provid-
ing monthly salary of not less than $50
for each substitute clerk in the railway mail
service, with the understanding 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 permanently dis
abled in line of duty or worn out through
long, faithful service
THAT Congress. in the interest of efficient
postal service, consolidate the third and
fourth classes of mail matter and fix the
rate of postage at l cent for each ounces
or fraction thereof.
THAT Congress authorize the postmaster
general to accept. under suitable regulations
the mailings of large quantities of Identical
pieces or printed matter ana small articles
of merchandise without the necessity of af-
fixing postage stamps to the individual
pieces.
That a sum of 100000 be appropriated,
to be Immediately available for the purpose
Of enabling the department to continue the
installation of additional rural free delivery
routes until the end of the present fiscal
year, and that Congress authorize an In
crease of thirty-siX in the field force in con-
nectiOn with rural free-delivery service
THAT special agents and route inspectors
be hereafter designated rural agents.
THAT the provision Of law that rural
carriers shall not be prohibited from doing
an express-package business be repealed.
That the maximum salary OF a rural
carrier be increased
THE act of June Is, 1893, providing that
assistant poStmasters, cashiers, and other
employees In postofflces of the first second
and third classes shall give bond direct TO
the United States has not proven salts
factory. Originally a postmaster was re-
received, and 1t was his duty to account
therefor even if loss due 10 a subor-
dinate. A vexatiouS question as TO respon-
sibility for losses has arisen since the act
referred to became effective. If the post
master makes good the loss, there lis no
provision for him to succeed TO the rights
of the United States under the clerks bond.
If it should be Judicially determined that
the bonding of the clerk direct to the Unit
ed States relieves the postmaster. the gov
eminent would have recourse in the
event the loss exceeded the amount Of the
bond. l therefore earnestly renew my rec
suggest law be enacted requiring assist