Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-10-15

Increased efficiency and economy are
claimed In a statement issued from the
Post ONCE Department as the result Of
certain changes made by Fourth Assist
ant Postmaster General James /. Blakslee
| in the work of his bureau.
The bureau over which Mr.. Blakslee
presides it is stated, has three important
| iivisions-the division of the rural mails
| with its army of nearly 100000 rural de-
livery and star route carriers; the division
Of supplies and equipment for the entire
| postal service, including the furnishing
of the rural delivery and star route maps
| and the division of dead letters
| The statement recites that:
ION taking charge Mr.. Blakslee found
that during period of seven years i'm
| medately preceding there had accumu-
| lated $50 petitions for the establishment
| of rural delivery routes. AT present all
but thirty-six Of these have been acted
on, while 100 similar petitions f1led during
his incumbency have been disposed or,
| and ZIG new rural delivery routes, pro-
viding adequate mail facilities for some
| 500, 600 patrons. have, been established. VI
1852 petitions asking for changes In eA-
sting routes which had accumulated
during the same period of seven years
but fifty-six remain Enacted on. while or
200 similar petitions filed durin
.aksiee's incumbeney9 112 have received
final action. OF a total of 541 cas- ~
yoIving charges against rural carriers,
accumulated during ten years, 36S nave
been settled.
Insures Prompt Action.
an connection with a modern method
Of follow-up correspondence. rigid
system insuring prompt investigation
of all petitions has been inaugurated,
and a closer supervision over the rural
service has been established.
Among other things accomplished,
the statement sets forth are the, fol-
Accurate statistics of the number of
pieces and weight of all classes of mail
matter handled by rural carriers dur
ing the month of June last have been
collected and tabulated, furnishing the
first accurate information as to IN
creases brought about by the estab-
.ishment of the domestic parcel post.
another innovation is the compila-
ton (now under way without addt-
tional cost) of complete and accurate
statistical directory of the rural deliv-
cry service, which when completed
will enable the department at mo-
ment's notice to give, regarding any
rural route, the names Of the carrier
and substitute, with the type of We
hicle used and the nature of the terri
tory traversed, together with the num-
ber Of patrons served and the num-
Der of pieces and weight of mail han
died.
Improvement of Roads.
"a practicable as well as equitable plan
has been adopted for the distribution of
the $500, 600 appropriated by Congress to
be expended under the joint direction of
the Post Office Department and the De-
partment Of Agriculture for the purpose
t>e tQ infn
| ing highway improvements and the effects
OF such improvements on the rural trans
portation problem.
Under the terms of the appropriation
act each state in which is work Is
being prosecuted must furnish 81 for each
collar provided by the federal govern
ment. The unit of distribution has been
| fixed at the approximate construction cost
length Of a standard rural delivery route
Accurate statistics are beng gathered
which W en- compiled will cover every
phase of the subject.
| I'm the division Of supplies and equip
ment substantial progress has been look
| ing to q thoroughly efficient and eco
nornical system of furnishing supplies to
| the postal service, and in the p. epar.. ton
and printing of rural deliver. an. star
route maps. An electric blue printing
outfit by means of which orders for rural
delivery blue print maps are promptly
| filled. has superseded the sunlight ma
chine formerly In use.
THE topog aphic section Is making
rapid Roadway in the prepa- alton of the
| new parcel post zone determination
| tables which will replace the cumDer-
some parcel post maps now in use.
| New Dead Letter Methods.
I'm the division of dead letters changes
| of method have been made which will re-
suit in greatly incre ased efficiency at
| saving of about 10000 annually. The
| former practice of sending to that div
| son un .eliverable posi- cards, tota ing be-
tween 100000 and 100000 each year
he I]''f nuNuei
"Undel.vered third and fourth class
mater Is nc on err forwarded to Wash.
/ Il, ton for treatment but is sen To tha