Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1907-07-06
NEWLAWSGOINTOEFFECT
Acts OF Last Congress viii Be
Put in Force.
INCREASE IN MAIL SERVICE
Promotions Of Carriers and Clerks
Will Be Made in All Postoffices
on Merit.

year next Monday many important
legislative acts by the last congress
will become operative. One Of the most
! important measures to become effet-
tive is the new immigration law. All
the sections of this 1aw will go into
effect, with the exception of the sec
ton relating to japanese coolies,
which became effective when the act
was passed. The law contains many
new features designed to bring in
better class of immigrants. The head
tax is increased to $4 and the exclud-
ed classes are considerably enlarged.
Secretary of Commerce and Labor
Strauss and Commissioner OF Immi-
grafton Sargent have had number OF
conferences with the immigration Of
ficials at the chief ports of entry in
order that there may be no friction
or misconception in the execution of
the laws.
| Another of the important measures
to come into force Monday is that pro-
Vision of the rate law which authorizes
| the Interstate Commerce commission
to require the railroads to install a
uniform system of accounting. The
system will cover operating revenues
and operating expenses, and the rail-
roads will be compelled to file month
| ly reports. The method adopted is
/ intended to show correct statement
of revenues from operation and is ex-
pected to result in keeping the cost
of improvements out of operating eA-
from the cost OF performing current
business. The construction ac-
counts are to be so drawn that cur
rent record of the physical value of
railway property is always accessible.
The lack of uniformity in account
| ing methods has been recognized by
railroad men as well as by the finan-
cial community as the source of no
little confusion in dealing with rail-
road affairs, and it is expected that
much good will follow the introduce
ton of improved accounting methods
among the railroads. The standardiza>
ton of railroad accounts, it is thought,
will serve to reveal more clearly than
ever the relative position of railroads,
and it will help the investor to Judge
more intelligently of the value Of
railroad securities.
The post Office department has re-
ceived sort of broadside of legisla.
ton effective next Monday. Here are
the most important things provided
for:
Clerks in the Offices and first and
second class carriers in the city de-
livery will be divided into six
grades.
In the first grade the salary will
be $500; in the second grade $500;
third grade 5000; fourth grade $1,000;
fifth grade s1100; sixth grade $1,000.
On the first day of the month clerks
and carriers at first class Offices will
be promoted successfully to the fifth
grade, and clerks and carriers at
second class Offices shall be promoted
successfully to the fourth grade. Ey-
cry promotion is to be based on ef
ficiency and faithfulness.
Any clerk will be eligible for trans
fer to the service of carrier, and
any carrier will be eligible for trans
fer to the service of a clerk.
Every city carrier regularly employ
ed at a salary of $500 a year will be
promoted to the fourth grade at
$1,000 year provided there is submit
ted at the post office department evil
dence of efficiency and faithfulness.
Substitutes may be employed for
clerks and carriers at the rate of 80
cents an hour, and a substitute be-
comes eligible for appointment to the
first grade.
Employees in the railway mail ser.
vice are classified and nearly every.
body in this branch Of the service
will receive an increase of 800.
Rural letter carriers who cover what
is known as full route will receive
$500 a year instead of $3.50.
The compensation paid the rail
roads for carrying the mails is to be
readjusted, and the pay considerably
reduced.
In making promotions under the
new legislation the department will
be guided by the recommendation OF
postmasters as far as the post office
department is concerned<and Of divi-
sion superintegdents in dealing with
the railway mail service.
The aggregate increase in the pay
Of the post office clerks and carriers
will amount to nearly $4,500O00
year. But the economy that will be
achieved by the reduction in the