Omaha daily bee., 1910-10-25
Service Extended as Rapidly as War.
ranted by Increasing Population.
FIFTEEN HUNDRED NEW OFFICES
Big Increases Are Made in Rural De-
livery System.
MANY SALARIES RAISED Also
Thousands of New Men Given Em-
PIOyment, Payment for whose
Work Exceeds s2,5OO,OOO
During Year.

WASHINGTON oct. 24-Figurcs. the
compilation OF which was completed at the
Postofficc department today, show that the
exact reduction OF the postal deficit during
the fiscal year ending June 20 last was
81, ,5O0OOO. The deficit Of the previous fiscal
year was Sl7 10000. so that in one year the
deficit was brought down to s61OO,OoO.
In commenting tonight on the saving OF
Sll.5O0OO0 last year, Postmaster General
Hitchcock said:
This tremendous saving was made with
out the curtailment of the postal facilities
in any direction. on the contrary during
the year there we're many important ex-
tensions of such facilities. The department S
policy is to extend the service as rapidly
as is warranted by increasing population
and to accomplish It's savings not by the
curtailment Of postal facilities. but by
handling in a more systematic and busi-
ness-like manner the constantly expanding
volume OF the mails"
New POstOTfice Established.
The tables Indicate that in the further
ance Of this policy more than 1,5OO new post
offices, with the necessary officers, em-
ployeG and equipment were established
during the last fiscal year. Great extern
sions were made in the rural delivery sys-
a
l., 295 miles, being put into operation. There
were appointed from the eligible list of the
Cicil Service commission over 1,SOO postal
clerks TO enlarge the working forces of city
postoffices and more than 1000 additional
letter carriers. The railway mail service
was strengthened by the appointment Of
about $50 new employees, all OF whom were
taken from the civil service eligible list,
The aggregate salaries Of the new employees
appointed during the year from the civil
service list exceed S2OOO0Oo
Salaries Increased.
The tables complied also show not
only that many new employees were
placed on the rolls. hut that .fhe depart
meht made liberal Increases. under the
terms of the law. in the compensation of
employees already IN the service. Salaries
of postoffice clerks were advanced in the
aggregate SI,750,O 900, while the aggregate
/ salaries Of letter carriers were increased
/ 81 .226.O00. Railway mail clerks received
increases Of salary amounting to almost
! $3.50. 900.
Mr. Hitchcock explained that all in.
/ creased in compensation were based upor
/ a system OF efficiency ratings, which was
adopted by the department little more
/ than a year ago. He says the system
has had a highly beneficial effect on tbs
| service.
Il believe" he said. that the higher
standard Of efficiency secured by &
proper application OF this policy is GER
tain to justify the resulting increases II
expenses In my Judgment the action Of
the department in this regarl last yeai
was largely responsible for the effectiv,
cooperation the department received
from its officers and men throughout thu
country in cutting out wasteful expendi
lures and in making the postal servic'
generally mere efficient
"This hearty cooperation exDect t,
be continued through this and futur
years. with the result that we shall hav,
a self-sustaining postal service and l
cent letter postage"