The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1910-01-10
NUMBER Of
POST0FF|CEs
ARE 6|0 LESS
More Offices Were Discontinu
ed During Last Year Than
Were Established
NUMBER OF PRESIDENTIAL
OFFICES were INCREASED

Total Cost Of Operating the Depart.
ment Reached the Sum of S20s, ,ses,.
sss, an Increase Of $1s,Oss,7so Over
Last Year or 6.s1 Per Cent
Washington, Jan. 1O.-As a busi-
ness institution. the postoffice depart
ment, next to the United States treas
ury, is the greatest in the govern
ment. According to figures submit
ted by Charles P. Grandfield, first as.
slstant postmaster general, for the
fiscal year ended June 80, 1909, made
public today in his annual report the
gross revenue of the postal service
reached the enormous total of $685.
562,3S3, an increase of $12,083, ,720, or
G.3l per cent over the preceding year.
There were 1902 presidential postof-
fees on July 1, 1909. OF this number
1893 were first class, an increase of
Ia: 1.707 were second class. an in
crease OF 112; and 5,097 were third
class. all increase of 230. The total
increase in the number of presiden-
tial Offices was 1856. There were l.
444 postoftices established during the
year and 2,054 were discontinued,
leaving total of 60,144 postoffices in
operation on June 80, 1909. During
the year 1925 postmasters were ap-
pointed at presidential offices. At
fourth class offices 9,161 postmasters
were appointed.
Concerning the routine of his bu-
reau DR.. Grandtield says:
"The annual rate OF expenditure
for the salaries of presidential post
masters on July 1, 1909. was as fol-
lows: First class. 81 .4O8, 600; second
class, $4,012,400; third class, 1884,
500, making total Of $12,765,S 800.
At the close of the fiscal year there
were 1878 assistant postmasters at
first and second class Offices. an in
crease of 116. The number of clerks
at first and second class offices In
creased from 28,220 to 29,930, and the
carrier force at city delivery offices
from 26352 to 27,620, being a net in
crease Of LILO clerks and 1853 car
riers.
THE retention of fourth class post
masters during satisfactory service
has become the established practice
of the department, and the policy of
recommending the reappointment of
presidential postmasters. who have.
proved efficient, has been followed
consistently, with highly beneficial re.
suits.
"It is recommended that the law be
so amended as to provide for the ad-
vancement of all Office of the fourth
class to the presidential class when
ever the compensation of the post
master amounts to $1,000 and the
gross annual receipts to $1,000 for
four successive quarters. The offices
that would be affected by such a
change in the statute are mainly those
located at summer and winter resorts
where a large business, equivalent
to that of a presidential Office. is
transacted during one or two quarters.
I'm a number of cases at rapidly
growing Offices the salary OF the as
sistant postmaster is actually less
than that allowed the principal clerks,
due to the operation Of the law gov
erning the promotion of clerks and
carriers and the fact that the appro-
priation for assistant postmasters for
the current fiscal year does not pro-
vide an adequate number of positions
in certain grades. There should be a
maximum and minimum salary lati-
tude allowed in the appropriation act
to prevent this anomalous condition.
"ln some sections of the country
especially in the mining regions of
the west, it has been difficult to make
appointments to the clerical and car
rier forces at the initial salary pre-
scribed by law. Wages in all lines
of employment are high in these COM
munities. and the entrance salary of
5000, fixed by the act of March 2, 1907,
is not sufficient to induce competent
men to enter the postal service, even
with the assurance of annual promo.
tion. To meet such emergencies IL
has been necessary in some instances
to grant postmasters an allowance for
the employment of clerks and carriers
at the rate of so cents an hour, and in
others to make allowances from the
appropriation for unusual conditions
1t is realized that it was not intend
ed that these appropriations should
be used in that manner, but the de-
partment has been compelled to grant
allowances in order to keep the post
Office manned with competent em-
ployees."
DR.. Grandfield makes strong ar
gument in favor Of 30 days annual
leave for clerks and carriers in first
class and second class offices.
"At the close of the fiscal year there
were 1900 postoffices of the presiden-
tial class. OF this number, 3,217 or
44.6 per cent were housed in leased
quarters. for which the annual rate
of rental was $2,726,S05. On June 80,
1909, there were 424 offices located in
federal buildings, an increase of Is
during the year. 1t is expected, how
ever, that this number will be largely
augmented during the current fiscal
year. On the date last mentioned
there were 1872 numbered stations,
III delivery stations. and 241 branch
postofiices."
Some minor recommendations here
tofore made by the first assistant are
renewed and an elaborate statistical
statement Of the bureau Is presented.