The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1910-01-10
Report Of Assistant POSTMASTER r
General Shows Very Care
full Management.
POSTAL REVENUES INCREASE
Total Number Of Presidential Postof-
fees Shows Increase Of 356-Grand-
field Favors Longer vaca-
tions for Employees.

| institution, the postoffice department.
next to the United States treasury, is
the greatest in the government. Ac-
cording to figures submitted by Charles
Il. Grandfeld, first assistant postmas-
| ter 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 s203,562,3S3 an increase of
$12,0S3720, or 6.31 per cent, over the
preceding year. There were 1902 pres
idential postoffices on July /, 1909. OF
this number 39S were first class, an
] increase of IA; 1907 were second class,
an increase of 112; and 5O97 were third
, class, an increase of 23O. The total in
crease in the number of presidential
offices was 1856. There were 1,444 post
offices established during the year and
1904 were discontinued, leaving to-
tai of 60144 postoffices i'm operation on
June 80, 1909. During the year 1926
lpostmasters were appointed at presi-
Dental offices. At fourth class offices
9,161 postmasters were appointed.
Concerning the routine of his bu-
reau, Mr.. Grandfeld says:
"The annual rate of expenditure for
the salaries of presidential postmasters
on July 1, 1909, was as follows First
class, s1,40S,600; second class, $4,012,-
400: third class. s7,344,S00; making a
total of $12,765.S02.
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 2s,22O to 2s,9SO, and the
carrier force at city delivery offices
from 26,352 to 27,62O being a net in
crease of LILO clerks and 1.26S car
riers.
"The retention of fourth class post
masters during satisfactory service has
become the established practice of the
department and the policy of recon-
mending the reappointment of presi-
Dental postmasters, who have proved
efficient has been followed consistent
| ~. with highly beneficial results.
1T is recommended that the law be
so amended as to provide for the ad-
vancement of an office of the fourth
class to the presidential class when
ever the compensation of the postmas-
ter amounts to $1,000 and the gross
annual receipts to $1,000 for four sue
cessivc quarters. The offices that
would be affected by such 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 dur
ing one or two quarters.
"In a number of cases at rapidly
growing offices the salary of the assist
ant postmaster is actually less than
that allowed the principal clerks, due
to the operation of the law governing
the promotion of clerks and carriers
and the fact that the appropriation Tor
assistant postmasters for the current
fiscal year does not provide an ade-
ouate number of positions in certain
grades. There should be a maximum
and minimum salary for assistant
postmasters fixed by law and sufil-
cient latitude allowed in the appropri-
alton act to prevent this anomalous
condition.
"In some sections of the country
especially in the mining regions of the
west. 1t has been difficult to make ap-
pointments to the clerical and carrier
forces at the initial salary prescribed
by law. Wages in all lines of employ
ment are high in these communities
and the entrance salary of $500 hxeu
by the act of March 2. 1907, is not sur
fcient to induce competent men TO en-
ter the postal service. even with the
assurance of annual promotion. TO
meet such emergencies IL has been ne
cessary in some instances to grant
postmasters an allowance for the EN-
ployment of clerks and carriers at the
rate of 80 cents an hour. and in others
to make allowances from the appropri-
alton for unusual conditions. III is
realized that IL was not Intended that
these appropriations should be used In
| that manner, Dut the ueP"i e''N'N "
been compelled to grant such allow
ances in order to keep the postofhce
manned with competent employees.
DIR. Grandfield makes a strong argu-
ment i'm favor of 80 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 presldeh
tial class. or this number, S,2l1. OF
44.6 per cent. were housed In ieaseu
quarters. for which the annual rate OF
rental was s2.726,sO5. on June SO' 1919
there were 434 offices located In federal
buildings. an increase Of 10 during the
year. 1t is expected. however tna'
this number will be largely augmented
during the current fiscal year. on the
date last mentioned there were S'Si-
j numbered stations. Ill delivery sta-