Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1904-01-13
FRAUDS ARE WIPED OUT
Postmaster General Says BE Has
New Hope for Department.
SUBMITS ANNUAL REPORT.
Believes All Criminal Practices Have
Been Finally Eradicated-
Praise for Bristow.

Washington, ID. c., Jan. 11.-Rostmas-
ter General Fsyne, in submitting his an
nual report, which was made public to-
day, apologies for the delay by saying
that he had been kept busy for several
months with the investigation of the
postal frauds, concerning which he SAYS:
This investigation has resulted in com
plete reorganization Of some of the bureaus
Or Tie department, and It is hoped has
eradicated all dishonest, irregular and Grim
lnaI practices. which the investigation has
developed as having been in existence for
cannot too strongly commend the zeal.
vigor and fidelity which have been shown
by me fourth assistant postmaster general
VINO mas been In immediate charge and the
inspectors who have been detailed to assist
him IN the lnvestiRa ton.
AS a result Of the investigation seventeen
omclals were separated from the service by
resignation or removal Forty-four indict-
ments were found and thirty -one persons
arrested, ten OF whom had been connected
with the postal service. special report
covering the details Of this investigation
has been submitted
Move for Higher Salaries.
Concerning the compensation of clerks
and letter carriers, the report says:
BY executive order dated January 81, 1902,
postal employees were forbidden, either di-
rectly or Indirectly, individually or through
associations, to solicit an increase of pay
or to influence or TO attempt to influence IN
their own Interest any other legislation
Whatever, either before Congress its com :
mittees, or In any way, save through the
heads Of the departments in or under which
Ihey serve. on penalty of dismissal from
the government service.
In consequence of this order there have
been presented TO the department by COM
mittees representing various classes Of pos
tai employees statements setting forth the
reasons why such employees deem their
claims for increased CONDENSATION to be
well founded Such petitions, Will be at
the proper time laid before Congress. 10
gether with request that the representa-
uves OF the employees shallsbe given an OPP
portunity to be heard before the proper
committees Of Congress
Postal Savings Banks for Porto Rico.
My attention has been called to the neces-
sity for providing some safe and convenient
method for the people Of Porto Rico to
deposit their surplus earnings. At present
the banking facilities on the island are very
limited. and there Is practically no safe way
open Tor the people TO take care OF their
savings.
would suggest that Congress consider
the propriety Of authorizing the postofices
OF Porto Rico to receive moneys in small
amounts on deposit, giving thereon a rate
OF interest not TO exceed per cent per an
mum.
In view Of the unlawful uses 10 which
private letter boxes, established in large
cities to be rented for the receipt of cor
respondence, etc, have been put it is rec
commended that law be enacted to pro
hlblt the esta blishment and maintenance
Of boxes to be rented for the receipt Of
mail without authority from the postof-
fice department
On June 80, 1903, the total number of
domestic routes of all classes was 49,
AS, their length scopes miles and the
annual travel 1913. 193.359 miles. Com
pared with the preceding year. this is q
decrease in length Of routes Of 1872 miias.
but an increase In annual travel Of IS
9oS.6I1 miles. The expenditure for such
service for the last fiscal year was $685.
094, 543.34, an increase of $4.312 664 81.
New Routes for Alaska.
Discussing the postal service in Alas
ka, the postmaster general says:
Among the extensions of new lines OF
service in Alaska arranged for last year
may be mentioned the, following: From
Homer to Renal, $50 miles: from Fort Yu-
kon, by. Coldfoot, to BEETLES, $50 miles;
from Teller to Igioo, 60 miles; from Circle
to Mastodon 60 miles; from Nome by Solo
Ing, to Kotzetne, about 800 miles.
81 For the summer season Just closed steam
yer nnS On the
miles. the supply point for the newly dis
covered gold diggings, as often as the
run, not exceeding fourteen round trips dur
ing the season, and also steamer service
from ebns Ts s bE Wales and Deering to Kot
Iepuc. ooo LILIES, seven IouHO tr1pS during
the season Of navigation.
J. At the close Of last fiscal year there were
forty routes in Alaska, aggregating 49,
$40 miles In length and 924. 149 miles in an
nual travel, at cost Of S322, 921. go per an
num
Work of Pneumatic Tube Service.
Pneumatic tube mall service is now In
operation in Boston, New York, Brooklyn
and Philadelphia, and contracts have been
executed contemplating It's esta adjustment
in Chicago and st. Louis. A detailed state
ment as to this service will be found in the
general. The service which was in opera
ton on June 80 last covered 12.49 miles Of
double tubes. at annual rate Of expendf-
ture Of S2O1 ,O95. II. The contracts which
have been executed. however, contemplate
that there will ultimately be about flfty-one
rate. Of compensation for performing the
service will be 1871, 9O441. The appropria-