New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-12-20
WILLCOI IN WASHINGTON
Talks about Needs of Ne5c-Y York
POStOHce.
iFRoM THE rRrBUNE RuREAJ.I

Washington, Dec 19.-Postmaster William r.
Wilcox, of New-York, spent most of to-day going
over facts and figures bearing on his future work
with Postmaster General Wynne and the heads of
the bureaus of the department Mr.. Wilcox will
continue his conferences az the department to-
morrow. and expects to start for New-York at I
D. N. Before visiting the Postoflce Department
the postmaster had short talk with the President
regarding the needs of the New-YOrk office. Presi-
dent Roosevelt assured him that he would find the
administration at his back whenever he needed aid
to put in force improvements or reforms.
The chief need of the New-York postofice. Mr..
Wilcox has learned thus early IN his connection
with the place is money Unfortunately for his
present peace OF mind. the postmaster has also
discovered that the departments estimates for the
next fiscal year have already been made up and
submitted to Congress. This. while 1t may not alb
solutey prevent New-York from getting
money for additional carriers sub-stations and
transportation facilities. will prove a stumbling
block II will give those Congressman who
looking for opportunity 10 cry economy
specious excuse for obstructive tactics, for they
will say with an assumption of fairness: IF New
York needs much more money. why was II not
asked for IN the estimates of the Postmaster Cen
eral" Had Mr.. Wilcox been appointed six months
earlier he would have been able to secure the in
sertion of the much needed items. He is not, how
ever at all daunted by the obstacles he sees in his
path and is armed with enough literature of a sta
tistical character TO convince the most penurious
Treasury watchdog that the greatest money maker
Of all the postoffices must have a fair stipend 10
run
.'New-York" said Mr. Wilcox, 'pours into the
Treasury one-ffth OF the entire postal receipts
of the department. but IT gets very small frac-
ton of the money that is expended on the service
We need a great many things over there, and my
conference with the Postmaster General and the
heads Of his bureaus for the purpose OF deter
mining exactly what is needed and what can De
obtained. New sub-stations for Wall-st ana FOR
ty-hfth-st and Eighth ave, or thaI hclelnoIIoou
are imperative. We also need additional carriers
and better transportation facilities for carrying the
mails between the various Sub-stttlonS ana the
Postofnce l believe that We Will De ap!e 20 get
what we need, for not going 10 ask Con-
mittees having the appropriations In charge can
add the Items We need without any dlinCultS; ana
I believe VIII do so, The matter OF my oond mas
within few days"
The Encouragement OF carriers routes winch VIII
be one or the biggest problems for Postmaster VIII
cox TO settle after he takes charge OF the otIce,
the layman would suppose. A rule in force IN the
department winch prohibits the carriers toth
working more than eight hours. has prooapIy Deeh
the occasion or great many complaints from ousi-
men VINO rallied to get their letters as ptotPt
~ they renewed they should have received thel
In oHeTatl"h me rule has caused carriers 10 Qult
their routes al the moment their time was UP, no
matter whether tey had delivered all the letters ~
their pouches, OF not The mail thus uhdeilNeItu
one day would be taken back to the office where u
would remain until the day following before II
reached its destination This will be one or the
first problems 70 confront Postmaster WILCOX wren
ne takes charge BY so arranging the routes tnak