The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1908-12-09
POSTAL PROGRESS

At the end of the fiscal year June
50, 1908. there were in operation to-
tai OF 6115S postoffices in the United
States according to the annual report
OF the first assistant postmaster gen
eral Just made public The number of
appointed at presidential
offices was 2,174. waile 1l.s45 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 encouraged
by the department BY the sending of
representatives to Join with the post.
masters in discussing postal affairs and
making plans for the betterment of the
service. The first assistant, however
believes that better results would fol-
low If a number of the associations
would consolidate. This. he thinks.
would effect a larger attendance and
extend the influence OF the associa.
tions.
The policy OF the department, it is
stated. in limiting as far as possible
the average daily hours of service of
postedice clerks to eight and to have
only such work done on Sundays as is
necessary to prevent delay in the
transmission of the mails and neon
venience to the public, has put the
service practically on an eight-hour
basis so far as tle larger postoffices
are concerned In the case of the
smaller offices. the report says, it has
not always been feasible to establish
an eight-hour schedule without in
creased expense, owing to the late and
early arrival and departure of mails.
To Offset this. the department has is
sued instructions TO postmasters to al.
low clerks brief periods of duty at
times when mails are not being re-
ceived OF dispatched.
The fact that millions are appropri-
ated by congress for sites and struc-
lures TO be used for postoffice pur-
poses. with the department having no
voice in the selection of the site CT the
designing and equipping OF the build
ing is cause for considerable comment
and criticism. a convenient location.
an interior arrangement planned with
special reference to postoffice needs.
and proper equipment are vital TO
the prompt and economical handling of
the mails, says the first assistant.
Moreover. he adds. "the first require
nents Of the larger postofices with re-
spect TO location and design differ so
from those of the other gov
eminent establishments usually housed
in federal buildings that it is rarely
feasible 10 place them under the same
roof without disadvantage TO the post
al service
or special interest to the general
public are the recomm endations relat-
ing to the extension and improvement
of the city delivery service. Millions of
people residing in small towns II is
stated are without any form Of free
delivery This condition the report
SAYS can be remedied by amending the
law 50 as to permit Of the establish
ment Of city delivery service at post
Offices where the receipts are as muca
as $4,000 annually The previous rec
ommendation that mail shall not
delivered by city carriers except a.
residence or offices where suitable
mail receptacles are placed at the
door or entrance is renewed The
expense to the patrons would be trif.
ling" says the report. while the
amount Of time saved the letter car
riers who now wait for an answer 10
the door bell would in the
aggregate represent very large
sum of money that might well be spent
in giving more frequent deliveries and
collections"