Evening star., 1937-02-15
.TWO|TEMS |Nb|LL
REFLECT UPTURN
Appropriations Measure Es-
Inmates S40,O0,O0O Pos.
tai Income Gain.

The return Of prosperity Is re-
hected conspicuously in two ways in
the Treasury-Post Office appropria-
ton bill reported to the House today.
There was an estimated increase in
income of the postal service of more
than $40. 900 900, and an increase of
$1,171 $50 in the appropriation for
the Bureau of Engraving and Print
ing.
To meet the expanding postal busi-
ness, with large augmentation of per-
sonnel required, the bill carries in
creases totaling sl4,425 900 for the
working force. For the 1888 fiscal
year the receipts are estimated at
$755 5,000.0 900 and the total amount of
appropriations carried in the bill for
the postal service is $782 ,469, ,361.
The elimination of $26.500, 900 for
the subsidy to ocean mails has brought
the department budget close to the
point where tongue and buckle meet,
according to Representative Ludlow.
Democrat, of Indiana, in his report
to the House-the point where collec-
tions from postage and postal fees
will meet the cost of the service rem
dered for hire. 1t is not contem-
plated that there will be an actual
balancing Of the postal budget as long
as the non-postal items, rank and
penalty mail, airmail subsidy, etc,
amounting to some 100000, 900 a year,
ar charged to postal costs.
Increased Personnel.
The expanding volume of mail and
increased postal activities require an
increased personnel to handle the
business, and additional space must
be purchased in railroad trains to
move the mails. Anticipating these
requirements, the appropriations were
increased to provide for additional
clerks, carriers and messengers, and
an increase Of five in the force Of in
spectors.
Ludlow explained there Is an
increase of s8,10O,0O0 for clerks,
$3,l00,000 for carriers, $S75 900 in fees
for special delivery messengers, s., ,000,-
900 for automatic increase in salaries
Of postmasters. s150,O0O in pay of
assistant postmasters, and 100000 in
pay in the Custodial Service
For transportation of mail BY rail-
| road routes and mail messenger serv-
ice, a $5.900,000 increase is allowed
(from 100000 900 during the current
year to $107,900, ,000). For vehicle
service, there is an increase of $685.
| mn opd tha opproprio tiooc far o,ar
ating force and operating supplies of
public buildings was increased So .625.-
900 on account of additional buildings.
Ludlow emphasized that in the Gus
todial Service there is a group Of work.
ers much underpaid and the 5000 900
| increase will be distributed as long
overdue promotions to the lower-paid
employees.
Item for Repairs.
One of the increases in the bill Is
lips, 900 in the item for repairs,
preservation and equipment of public
buildings under the procurement divi-
sion of the Treasury Department. The
appropriation for the current fiscal
year was s1,625,O00 and for next year
the amount allowed is $2,75o.0o0. This
increase is based on careful surveys
and is due to the expanding program
of occupancy of public buildings. The
appropriation for 1887 applied to 2.269
buildings while the 1888 appropriation
will apply to 2,84l buildings.
When Director Alvin w. Hall Of the
Bureau Of Engraving and Printing was
witness before the Appropriations
Committee, he explained an improve
ment made during the last year
regarding the method Of adding sigma
lures to currency. 1t is now being
done on a topographic process, at the
same time that the numbers and seals
are added. Heretofore, the names
were engraved in plate, and it was
months and sometimes a year after
an administration changed when the
notes were going into circulation bear
| ing signatures of officers no longer
| connected with the Government.
Visitors to the Bureau Of Engrav-
ing and Printing sometimes count up
to 5000 day during Easter week, and
run as high as 100000 year. There
is a force of II guides to show them
around the big paper-money plant.
The work of the bureau is so per cent
on currency. 80 per cent on stamps
and the other 20 per cent on bonds
and miscellaneous work.