The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1905-12-11
Postmaster General COrteIyou
Deems SlIar insufficient.
IN SOME BRANCHES OF SERVICE
Says That a More Satisfactory Scale Of
Wages Shsuli be Adopted for En-
psyss Of Postsftce Department.

Washington. Dec. 1.-THE annual re-
port OF the postmaster general reviews
the work OF the department for the past
year, gives in detail the postal revenue
and expenditure discusses important
changes that have been made in depart
mental organization and in the method
OF appointing postmasters, and makes
such suggestions and recommendations
as appear to be warranted.
After referring to the fact that there Is
shortly TO be celebrated the 200th ami
yersary OF the birth OF Benjamin Frank
lin, who was for moro than 20 years dep
uty postmaster general for the colonies
and who was at the head OF the postal
service under the confederation, the post
master general says;
What a contrast between tho service
OF his day and that OF the present time,
From 70 postoffices In 1870, the year or
Franklln's death, the number had grown
an 1901 TO 6495, and now is 6S. 1871; from
receipts OF s37,s35 and expenditures OF
s3c140 we have advanced in the same pc
riod TO receipts of Sl52 s26, ,5sj and expen-
ditures OF $l67. ,l69; from total force
OF about 500 TO a total force OF about
$4,000
ESTIMATES OF APPROPRIATION.
THE estimates submitted for the pos
tai service for the fiscal year 1861 while
showing a reduction OF expenses wher-
ever possible without impairment OF the
service. are based. in general. on the be-
lief that II Is poor economy not TO make
adequate provision for proper develop
ment of postal facilities 20 meet the grow
ing needs OF all sections OF the country.
'In this connection 1t is pertinent 70
refer 10 the departments present policy
in regard 10 the appointment OF postmas-
ters.
Under instructions recently issued
careful rating Is given 10 each postofice.
This rating. based upon inspectors re-
ports and other data, will have material
weight in the departments attitude tow
and postmaster's reappontment. Fourth
class postmasters Will be retained dur
ing satisfactory service. In the case OF
presidential pos stmasters who seek reap
pointment the ratings will be a guide 10
the department I'm making its recommen-
dations TO the president.
The question OF organizations OF en-
ployes within the service has had care
full consideration. and good results have
come from the action taken by the de-
partment OF what the department be-
heves should be the employees relation TO
St. and all employees are held 10 a strict
accountability I'm this regard At n re-
cent meeting OF organizations there has
been a spirit OF entire loyalty and
partment in securing improved service.
SALARIES OF EMPLOYEES.
while the present condition Of the gov
ernment finances precludes mo from max
ing an immediate recommendation for in
creases in the rates OF compensation paid
to the various classes OF postal employees,
] consider II only just 20 say that from
such investigation OF this question as it
has been possible for me TO make | am
hot To fhs ssa1a arfo
OF postoffice clerks an dof letter carriers,
city and rural, are inadequate. While I'm
recent years the cost OF living has in
creased. particularly In large cities. there
has been no corresponding advance I'm the
remuneration OF postal employees as there
has been in the case OF persons employed
outside the service. This Is a subject that
should receive the earnest attention OF the
congress, and Il is hoped that a scale OF
salaries and a system for their adjust
ment can be devised that will place the
question of compensation on more salts
factory basis
IAN appropriation of 81. .2s3, 1854 for pneu-
matte tube mail service for 1907 is recon-
mendcd
pneumatic tube service is now in oper-
ation i'm the cities OF Boston, New York,
Brooklyn, Philadelphia, Chicago and st.
Louis In Boston. Brooklyn end Chicago
the full service contemplated by the con-
tracts is IN operation. Inc lines IN CnlCa-
go were completed within the past year.
The lines In New York. Philadelphia and
St Louis have not been completed The
service I'm operation on June 30, 1905, COW
cred about 26 miles OF double tubes. at an
annual expenditure Of Si0l ,0234 The ex
tent OF the service now under contract Is
about 81 miles. for which the annual eX-
penditure is $s22, ,l9l.74
RAILWAY NAIL SERVICE.
at the close OF the year the Railway
Mall Service comprised 12.414 officers and
employees. an increase I'm the year OF S53.
"In tho amount Of ordinary mail han
died there was an increase OF about 5.77
per cent as compared with the proceeding
year. and an increase OF about 1S per
cent I'm the amount Of registered matter.
"The record OF the service shows nor
NAL growth. with a gratifying mainte-
nance of efficiency.
'tThe arduous and hazardous duties in.
cident TO the service emphasize tho desir-
ability OF some legislative action that will
make provision for clerks worn out in the
service and maintain the vigor and effi-
cheney Of the service by the gradual elm