Albuquerque citizen. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1907-1909, 1908-12-07
WOULD EXTEND FREE
DELIVERY TO MANY
LOCALITIES
First Assistant Postmaster
General suggests That
Work be En-
ldrqed.
SERVICE is NUN
ON EIGHT HOUR BASIS
S!xty-one Thousand PostoiflCes
Are Maintained and Fourteen
Thousand POStmaSters
serve the Pub

Washington, Dec AT the end OF
the last fiscal year, June 80, 1908.
there were in operation a total of
61,1i6 postofnces IN the United
states, according TO the annual report
Of the first assistant postmaster gem
eral, made public today. The num-
her of postmasters appointed at pres
idential offices was 2,174, while H.
945 were given commissions in the
fourth class offices.
The report regards with favor the
meetings of postmasters' associations
in annual convention, and states
that these meetings have been en-
couraged by the department by the
sending of representatives to Join with
the postmasters in discussing postal
affairs and making plans for the bet
terment OF the service. The first
assistant, however, believes that bet
ter results would follow II num-
Der OF the associations would consol-
| icate. This, he thinks, would effect
a larger attendance and extend the
influence Of the associations.
The policy of the department. Il is
stated, In limiting so far as possible
the average daily hours OF service of
postofiice clerks 10 eight and TO have
| only such work done ON sundays as
| is necessary to prevent delay In the
| transmission of the mails and incon-
venienee to the public. has put the
service practically on an eight-hour
basis so far as the larger postoffices
| are concerned. In the case OF the
'samallcr offices. the report SAYS ii
mas not always been feasible T. As-
tablish an eight-hour schedule. WITH
| out increased expense, owing to the
late and early arrival and departure
OF mails TO offset this, the depart
ment has issued instructions to post
masters to allow the clerks brief
periods OH duty at times when mails
are not being received or dispatched
The fact that millions are appro-
! piated by Congress for sites and
structures to be used for pnstSfrca
purposes with the department having
no voice in the selection of the site
or the designing and equipping OF the
building, is cause for considerable
comment and criticism.
"A convenient location, an interior
arrangement planned with special
reference to postofiice needs, and
a proper equipment are vital to the
prompt and economical handling of
the mails" says the first assistant.
Moreover" he adds, "the require
ments of the larger pOstofices with
respect to location and design differ
so materially from those OF the other
government establishments usually
housed in federal buildings that II Is
rarely feasible to place them under
tie came roof without disadvantage
to the postal service"
OF special interest to the general
public are the recommendations re-
latng to the extension and improve
ment of the city delivery service. Mil
lions of people residing In small
towns Il is statd are without any
form of free delivery. This eondi-
tion the report says, can De rem
ediec by amending the law so as to
permit OF the establishment Of city
delivery service at postoffices where
! the receipts are as much as $4,000
arpdaily. The previous recommenda-
| elton that mail shall not be delivered
by city carriers except at residences
or offices where suitable mail recep-
| tacles are placed at the door or en-
trance, Is renewed.
'The expense to the patrons would
be trifiing" says the report, while
| the amount of time saved the letter
carriers who now wait for an answer
e the door bell, would I'm the sggre-
gate represent a very large sum of
money that might well be spent in
giving more frequent deliveries and
| cole ctions."