The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-12-10

criticism or be ~oensured for having failed
to exclude certain enterprises. Opinion,
he says, must not be substitutedfo FOL evidence
and Il IL frequently necessary 70 go SLOW.
Fraud orders are based on reports Of post
Office inspectors.
Burglars are making more trouble than
ever before, says the report:
The number OF burglaries OF post offices
reported during the last year was l,s02-a
notable increase over the 1. 5sl reported the
year before, While the great majority of
these involve little or no loss, as the figures
include every breaking into a building
occupied even in part by a post orice, the
number Of burglaries involving large loss
IL considerable. During the year the
Assistant Attorney-General has approved
p~ostmasters' claims for reimbursement
on account of ami s stolen in the amount
of S72 ,9OS. 81, and on account of money
order and postal funds stolen, S2S, 336. SO.
The largest single claim passed upon was
that OF San Diego, Cal, the stamp loss in
which was $40, 73S."
As to compensations of employees the
Postmaster-General says the time has
arrived for consideration of this important
feature of the service. The cost OF living
has increased and salaries have been adj
vanCed generally in all industrial and com
merCial pursuits, hut the pay OF Govern
ment employees is less than that OF equally
important employees in other work. The
efficiency of the service is therefore low
cred by the designations of experienced
clerks. The report says
The employees of this service have a
right to expect that their chosen vocation
shall yield a sufficient income TO meet cur
rent EXPENSE and provide a little in adj
dition for the needs Of the family in times
of sickness and misfortune. The increased
cost of living, together with the multiply
ing responsibilities which result from the
phenomenal growth OF the postal service
fairly entities many OF its clerks and other
employees to an increase OF salary
BY a series OF tables the Postmaster
General shows the percentage of resig-
nations OF employ ees, one instance being
the resignation OF 2,642 rural carriers from
July /, 1906, TO November 80, 1909, an aver
age OF 52S per month. The Department
has already submitted estimates for certain
increases of salary and awaits the con-
sideration of Congress.
Mr.. COrtelyou recommends that second
and third class pOstmasters be appointed
by the Postmaster-General. He recon-
mends also that the fourth class post
masters get better pay.
On the subject OF railway mail service
the Postmast er-General says the service
now numbers 1888 officers and employees.
All steel cars should displace the present
wood and steel construction. Faster mail
service has been obtained between New
York and San Francisco and through the
Southwest. The number Of electric and
cable car routes in operation Is 400, with a
total length Of S.0l4.74 miles.
W ~ tHC i'INlSn 'h"n sOA VIZ 'uO iObcCIU
says that the total cost for transportation
last year was So, 1877, 349.57. The aggregate
weight Of mails handled was II ,l2l .ss7 pounds
II is vitality important, the report says,
that legislation for the development of
our commercial shipping he secured, as
the Department is largely dep pendent on
steamers sailing under a foreign flag. The
Postmaster-Gener suggests that the Gov
eminent provide a number Of fast steamers
for mail service that may he converted
into auxiliary cruisers. Favorable legis-
lation, he says. is urgently needed.