The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1911-12-11

during the year in the city carrier
service. A reduction in the number
of deliveries for the residential dis
tricts of certain cities resulted in some
misapprehension as to the purposes OF
the department. In each case the OBJ
iect was to permit the redistribution
of the carrier service so as to make
it more effective as whole. The cur
tailment Of too frequent deliveries in
residential sections enabled the de-
partment to provide more deliveries in
business districts. This policy is al
most universally approved by business
men, who are willing to have fewer
deliveries at their residences in order
to obtain more frequent service at
their places of business. As already
pointed out, the city delivery service
has been greatly extended in the last
two years, during which period letter
carriers have been placed on duty for
the first time in 1856 additional cities.
Rural Mail Service.
The consolidation or the rural de-
livery and star route services, to
which reference was made in the last
annual report, has proved to be most
beneficial. 1t has enabled the depart
ment to extend mail delivery to many
thousands of additional patrons by a
REIMBURSEMENT of established routes
with little increase in the annual rate
of expenditure. Much needless dupli-
cation of service, which 1T was diff
cult to prevent with two independent
systems Of rural delivery, has been
eliminated since their consolidation.
Under the new plan of organization the
rural mail service is being rapidly ex-
tended.
Asroplane Mail Service.
The first aerial dispatch of United
States mail occurred In September
last, when $4,000 pieces were carried
from Aeroplane Postal Station No. /
on Nassau boulevard to Mineola, Long
island. The progress. being made in
the science Of aviation encourages the
hope that ultimately the regular con-
yeyance of mali by this means may be
practicable. Such service. If found
| feasible, might be established in many
| districts where the natural conditions
preclude other means of rapid trans
| portation
Annual Vacations.
The department again renews its
Recommendation that law be enacted
authorizing the allowance or 80 days
annual leave Of absence with pay 70
/ postoffice clerks, to city letter carriers
and to such railway postal clerks as
are required to work six days a week
throughout the year. While the grant
! ing the proposed leave will naturally
i entail considerable additional expense
| n IL believed that the cost will be more
! than offset by the greater efficiency
TO be expected under law so bene-
fieial to the health and spirit OF the
employees affected.
Relief From Sunday Service.
An order was put into effect during
the year that has reduced TO MINI
mum the employment OF postoILlcs
clerks and letter carriers on sunday
The few employees who are obliged e
report on the Sabbath to make
NECESSARY distribution Of important
Letters are now granted compensatory
/ time ON other days Of the week equa
to the period of Sunday service. Iht
ARRANGEMENT by which the amount q
| SUNDAY work In postoffices IL thus re-
duced has been received with great
favor By the employees and with little
| objection from the patrons OF ths
service.
Pensions for Employees.
Almost without exception, foreign
nations provide for the pensioning Of
civiI service employees when they be-
com superannuated. Large corpora.
tions in same principle in the retire
ment OF their aged employees. On bust
ness grounds, If for no other reason
the government should do likewise.
4 While the compensation Of posta
employees has been considerably IN.
creased during the last few years !
is hardly more than sufficient to NEE
! necessary living expenses and conse.