The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-12-24
YEAR DISASTROUS
T0POSTAL CLERKS
Twcnty-Four Killed, While
Three Mail Wcigllcrs
Meet Death.
e17 ARE SLIGHTLY INJURED
More Railway Accidents Than
in Any Other Year of
the Service.

Washington, December 23.--Condi-
lions of railway and ocean mail service
are discussed fully in the annual re-
mort of joseph stewart Second Assist
ant Postmaster.G General submitted to-
day TO Postmaster-General Hitchcock.
4 considerable gaying was effected
during the year by the bureau of the
second assistant, which is charged with
the authorization and direction of tho
TRANSFORMATION of both domestic and
foreign mails. The aggregate cost OF
the transportation of domestic malls
during the year was s31, 100. 1855:
while the cost of foreign mails was
ss,112,3o2.46. Notwithstanding the In
creased amount OF mail handled, the
percentage of increase In the cost was
only 1.l5 per cent.
During the year 1876 mail routes
were in operation. covering a distance
of 220,7s0 miles. The distance Travelled
by the mail of tho United States was
42e,oes,1oe.55 miles The amount of
money necessary for railroad trans
portation for the fiscal year ending
| June so. 1912. is Si3,eS3,ooo, being 5.S
per cent. more than the appropriation
for the current fiscal year.
In every instance possible the policy
of eouallzing the rate of pay for the
Transportation of mail by railroad
routes on the basis of lowesx cost has
been followed. The department has
saved s1a,274.4s3 By the operation OF
| tho new method of adjusting pay to
and including the present fiscal year.
! Sixteen railroad companies have FLED
| suit against the United States, attack
ing the validity of the order OF the
| stmaster-General in readjusting the
rate of pay.
Particular diligence has been mani
tested by the department in its inquiry
| into the cost to railroad companies oil
| carrying the mail
The need for improved ocean mail
service again is called 10 the attention
of Congress. Tho passage of an act
4 to authorize the Postmaeter-GeHcral to
| paw FOR ocean mail service IN vessels
! of the second class on routes TO south
! America the Philippines, Japan. China
and Australasia, at rate per mile not
exceeding the rate applicable to vessels
of the first class, as provided in the
ae. of March 3, 1921, will 1t is believed
enable the department to secure con-
trac. service to these parts OF the
world.
i During tho wear there were 44s rail
road accidents in which postal clerks
4 were either Killed or injured or in
) which mail matter was lost or damaged
n Twenty clerks. four substitutes anc
|, three mail weighers were killed; nine
ty-eight were seriously and GIT slightly
; injured. The year was more disastrous
. in the number of clerks killed on tbs
, railroads than any in the history o
the service:
Among the recommendations mad
| by Mr. Stewart are the following
Al That the department be enabled t
readiust the compensation for tn
transportation of mail on railroa'
!, troutes during the four years term.
) That the PostmasterGeneral be au
! thorized TO pay for the services of YES
sells OF the second class in carryin
!, tho mails to various ports in sout
America and the Far East.
: That salaries of supervisory officer
. of the railway mail service be in
: lcreased
That authority of law be given fo
p granting further leave during period
! of disability not exceeding twelve ad
ditional months. with pay at so pc
= cent. of his regular salary, to rail
!. way postal clerk who Is so seriousl
: injured as not to be able to resum
, duty at the expiration OF twely
= months.
= That thirty days annual leave of al
~ sence be granted to railway post;
y clerks.
= That provision be made for the re
nuated railway postal clerks.