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Code · STATUTES-AT-LARGE · Vol. 33 STAT. · April 28, 1904 · Chapter 1759

Chapter 1759. Making appropriations for the service of the Post-Office Department for the fiscal year ending June thirtieth, nineteen hundred and five, and for other purposes

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CHAP. 1759.— An Act Making appropriations for the service of the Post-Office Department for the fiscal year ending June thirtieth, nineteen hundred and five, and for other purposes. April 28, 1904.[[H. R. 13521](/us/bill/58/hr/13521).][[Public, No. 191](/us/pl/58/191).] *Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,* That the following sums be, Postal service appropriations. Vol. 5, p. 80.and they are hereby, appropriated for the service of the Post-Office Department, in conformity with the Act of July second, eighteen hundred and thirty-six, as follows: office of the postmaster-general.
Postmaster-General. For advertising, five thousand dollars. Advertising. For miscellaneous items in the office of the Postmaster-General, two thousand dollars. Miscellaneous. 430 Delegate to Congress. For compensation and expenses of United States delegate to the Universal Postal Congress, to convene at Rome, Italy, five thousand dollars. office of the first assistant postmaster-general. First Assistant Postmaster-General. Postmasters. For compensation to postmasters, twenty-three million two hundred and fifty thousand dollars.
Salary and allowance division. Assistant postmasters. Salary and allowance division: For compensation to assistant postmasters at first and second class post-offices: Two, at three thousand five hundred dollars each; twenty, at three thousand dollars each; five, at two thousand five hundred dollars each; five, at two thousand dollars each; sixteen, atone thousand nine hundred dollars each; twenty-four, at one thousand eight hundred dollars each; forty, at one thousand seven hundred dollars each; ninety-two, at one thousand six hundred dollars each: one hundred, at one thousand five hundred dollars each; one hundred, at one thousand four hundred dollars each; one hundred and sixty-five, at one thousand three hundred dollars each; three hundred, atone thousand two hundred dollars each; three hundred and fifty, at one thousand one hundred dollars each; three hundred and five, at one thousand dollars each; fifty, at nine hundred dollars each; forty, at eight hundred dollars each; and forty, at seven hundred dollars each; in all, two million and thirty-seven thousand eight hundred dollars.
Clerks, etc., compensation. At $3,200 each. For compensation to clerks in first and second class post-offices: Superintendent of delivery, superintendent of mails, superintendent of money order, and superintendent of registry, four, at three thousand two hundred dollars each, twelve thousand eight hundred dollars; At $3,000 each. Auditors, superintendent of delivery, superintendent of mails, superintendent of money order, and superintendent of registry, six, at three-thousand dollars each, eighteen thousand dollars;
At $2,700 each. Cashiers, chief stamp clerks, night superintendents, superintendents of carriers, superintendents of delivery, superintendents of inquiry, superintendents of mails, superintendents of money order, superintendents of registry, and superintendents of second-class matter, seventeen, at two thousand seven hundred dollars, forty-five thousand nine hundred dollars; At $2,600 each. Cashiers, chief stamp clerks, night superintendents, superintendents of carriers, superintendents of delivery, superintendents of inquiry, superintendents of mails, superintendents of money order, superintendents of registry, and superintendents of second-class matter, twenty-one, at two thousand six hundred dollars each, fifty-four thousand six hundred dollars;
At $2,500 each. Superintendents of delivery, superintendents of mails, and superintendents of stations, six, at two thousand five hundred dollars each, fifteen thousand dollars; At $2,400 each. Assistant cashiers, assistant superintendents of delivery, assistant superintendents of mails, assistant superintendents of money order, assistant superintendents of registry, auditors, bookkeepers, cashiers, chief stamp clerks, finance clerks, night superintendents, private secretaries, superintendents of carriers, superintendents of delivery, superintendents of inquiry, superintendents of mails, superintendents of money order, superintendents of registry, superintendents of second-class matter, and superintendents of stations, twenty-five, at two thousand four hundred dollars each, sixty thousand dollars;
At $2,200 each. Assistant cashiers, assistant superintendents of delivery, assistant superintendents of mails, assistant superintendents of money order, assistant superintendents of registry, bookkeepers, cashiers, chief mailing clerks, chief stamp clerks, finance clerks, night superintendents, private secretaries, superintendents of carriers, superintendents 431of delivery, superintendents of inquiry, superintendents of mails, superintendents of money order, superintendents of registry, superintendents of second-class matter, and superintendents of stations, twenty-nine, at two thousand two hundred dollars each, sixty-three thousand eight hundred dollars;
Assistant cashiers, assistant superintendents of delivery, assistant At $2,100 each.superintendents of mails, assistant superintendents of money order, assistant superintendents of registry, chief mailing clerks, chief stamp clerks, night superintendents, superintendents of carriers, superintendents of delivery, superintendents of inquiry, superintendents of mails, superintendents of money order, superintendents of registry, superintendents of second-class matter, and superintendents of stations, sixteen, at two thousand one hundred dollars each, thirty-three thousand six hundred dollars;
Assistant cashiers, assistant, superintendents of delivery, assistant At $2,000 each.superintendents of mails, assistant superintendents of money order, assistant superintendents of registry, bookkeepers, cashiers, chief mailing clerks, chief stamp clerks, examiners of stations, finance clerks, Sri rate secretaries, superintendents of carriers, superintendents of delivery, superintendents of mails, superintendents of money order, superintendents of registry, superintendents of second-class matter, and superintendents of stations, seventy-seven, at two thousand dollars each, one hundred and fifty-four thousand dollars;
Assistant cashiers, assistant superintendents of delivery, assistant At $1,800 each.superintendents of mails, assistant superintendents of money order, assistant superintendents of registry, assistant superintendents of stations, bookkeepers, cashiers, chief mailing clerks, chief stamp clerks, examiners of stations, finance clerks, private secretaries, superintendents of carriers, superintendents of delivery, superintendents of mails, superintendents of money order, superintendents of registry, superintendents of second-class matter, and superintendents of stations, sixty, at one thousand eight hundred dollars each, one hundred and eight thousand dollars;
Assistant cashiers, assistant superintendents of delivery, assistant At $1,700 each.superintendents of mails, assistant superintendents of money order, assistant superintendents of registry, assistant superintendents of stations. bookkeepers, cashiers, chief mailing clerks, chief stamp clerks, examiners of stations, finance clerks, private secretaries, superintendents of carriers, superintendents of delivery, superintendents of mails, superintendents of money order, superintendents of registry, superintendents of second-class matter, and superintendents of stations, one hundred and nineteen, at one thousand seven hundred dollars each, two hundred and two thousand three hundred dollars;
Assistant cashiers, assistant, superintendents of delivery, assistant At $1,600 each.superintendents of mails, assistant superintendents of money order, assistant superintendents of registry, assistant superintendents of stations, bookkeepers, cashiers, chief mailing clerks, chief stamp clerks, examiners of stations, finance clerks, foremen of crews, private secretaries, superintendents of carriers, superintendents of delivery, superintendents of mails, superintendents of money order, superintendents of registry, superintendents of second-class matter, and superintendents of stations, one hundred and five, at one thousand six hundred dollars each, one hundred and sixty-eight thousand dollars;
Assistant cashiers, assistant superintendents of delivery, assistant At $1,500 each.superintendents of mails, assistant superintendents of money order, assistant superintendents of registry, assistant superintendents of stations, bookkeepers, cashiers, chief mailing clerks, chief stamp clerks, examiners of stations, finance clerks, foremen of crews, private secretaries, superintendents of carriers, superintendents of delivery, superintendents of mails, superintendents of money order, superintendents 432of registry, superintendents of second-class matter, and superintendents of stations, one hundred and twenty-two, at one thousand five hundred dollars each, one hundred and eighty-three thousand dollars;
At $1,400 each. Assistant cashiers, assistant superintendents of delivery, assistant superintendents of mails, assistant superintendents of money order, assistant superintendents of registry, assistant superintendents of stations, bookkeepers, cashiers, chief mailing clerks, chief stamp clerks, clerks, examiners of stations, finance clerks, foremen of crews, private secretaries, superintendents of carriers, superintendents of delivery, superintendents of mails, superintendents of money order, superintendents of registry, superintendents of second-class matter, and superintendents of stations, three hundred and sixty-nine, at one thousand four hundred dollars each, five hundred and sixteen thousand six hundred dollars;
A $1,300 each. Assistant cashiers, assistant superintendents of delivery, assistant superintendents of money order, assistant superintendents of mails, assistant superintendents of registry, assistant .superintendents of stations, bookkeepers, cashiers, chief mailing clerks, chief stamp clerks, clerks, finance clerks, foremen of crews, private secretaries, superintendents of carriers, superintendents of delivery, superintendents of mails, superintendents of money order, superintendents of registry, superintendents of second-class matter, and superintendents of stations, four hundred and forty-five, at one thousand three hundred dollars each, five hundred and seventy-eight thousand five hundred dollars;
At $1,200 each. Assistant cashiers, assistant superintendents of delivery, assistant superintendents of mails, assistant superintendents of money order, assistant superintendents of registry, assistant superintendents of stations, bookkeepers, chief stamp clerks, clerks, finance clerks, foremen of crews, printers, private secretaries, superintendents of carriers, superintendents of second-class matter, and superintendents of stations, one thousand six hundred and thirty-seven, at one thousand two hundred dollars each, one million nine hundred and sixty-four thousand four hundred dollars;
At $1,100 each. Assistant cashiers, assistant superintendents of stations, bookkeepers, chief stamp clerks, clerks, finance clerks, printers, private secretaries, superintendents of carriers, superintendents of second-class matter, and superintendents of stations, one thousand six hundred and twelve, at one thousand one hundred dollars each, one million seven hundred and seventy-three thousand two hundred dol1ars; At $1,000 each. Assistant cashiers, assistant superintendents of stations, bookkeepers, chief stamp clerks, clerks, clerks in charge of stations, finance clerks, printers, private secretaries, superintendents of carriers, and superintendents of second-class matter, two thousand six hundred and twenty-five, at one thousand dollars each, two million six hundred and twenty-five thousand dollars;
At $900 each. Assistant cashiers, bookkeepers, carpenters, clerks, clerks in charge of stations, finance clerks, pressmen, printers and private secretaries, two thousand seven hundred, at nine hundred dollars each, two million four hundred and thirty thousand dollars; At $800 each. Carpenters, clerks, clerks in charge of stations, and pressmen, three thousand five hundred and ninety-six, at eight hundred dollars each, two million eight hundred and seventy-six thousand eight hundred dollars;
At $700 each. Carpenters, clerks, clerks in charge of stations, janitors, laborers, messengers, porters, pressmen, and watchmen, three thousand three hundred and eight, at seven hundred dollars each, two million three hundred and fifteen thousand six hundred dollars; At $600 each. Carpenters, clerks, clerks in charge of stations, janitors, laborers, messengers, porters, pressmen, and watchmen, four thousand six 433hundred and eleven, at six hundred dollars each, two million seven hundred and sixty-six thousand six hundred dollars;
Clerks, clerks in charge of stations, janitors, laborers, messengers, At $500 each.porters, and watchmen, eight hundred, at five hundred dollars each, four hundred thousand dollars; Clerks, clerks in charge of stations, janitors, laborers, messengers, At $400 each.porters, and watchmen, five hundred, at four hundred dollars each, two hundred thousand dollars; Clerks, clerks in charge of stations, and laborers, four hundred, at At $200 each.three hundred dollars each, one hundred and twenty thousand dollars;
Clerks in charge of stations, nine hundred, at two hundred dollars each, one hundred and eighty thousand dollars; Clerks in charge of stations, at a rate of compensation not to exceed At $100 each.one hundred dollars each, one hundred and thirty thousand dollars; In all, nineteen million nine hundred ninety-five thousand seven hundred Total clerk hire.dollars. For compensation to substitutes for clerks of first and second class Substitutes.post-offices on vacation, one hundred thousand dollars.
For temporary clerk hire, at first and second class post-offices, one Temporary clerks.hundred and fifty thousand dollars: *Provided,* That the Postmaster-General *Proviso.* Temporary clerks during busy hours.may, in the disbursement of this appropriation, allow post-masters at first-class offices to employ temporary clerks at the rate of twenty-five cents an hour during the rush or busy hours of the day. For unusual business accruing at third and fourth class post-offices, Separating mails, etc.and for separating mails at third and fourth class post-offices, one million dollars: *Provided,* No part of this appropriation shall be disbursed *Provisos.*until the Postmaster-General shall publish the rules or regulations Rules of allotment to be published.
Restrictions. governing the Department in the allotment of same: *Provided further,* That of the said one million dollars no greater sum than fifty thousand dollars shall be used for unusual business accruing at third and fourth-class post-offices, and no greater sum than seven hundred and fifty thousand dollars shall be used for separating mails at third and fourth-class post-offices: *And provided further,* That of the said one million Allowances to third-class offices for clerical services.dollars, the sum of two hundred thousand dollars shall be available for allowances to third-class post-offices to cover cost of clerical services in accordance with the provisions stated in the paragraph next succeeding. and in addition to the five hundred thousand dollars therein appropriated.
And the Postmaster-General shall report to Congress, Report.prior to February first, nineteen hundred and five, the method of application of this sum, and all the circumstances under which the appropriation has been disbursed. For allowance to third-class post-office to cover the cost of clerical Third-class offices. Additional appropriation for clerks.services, five hundred thousand dollars in addition to the two hundred thousand dollars appropriated for this service in the next preceding paragraph: *Provided,* That no allowance in excess of two hundred dollars *Proviso.* Allowances.shall be made where the salary of the postmaster is one thousand dollars, one thousand one hundred dollars and one thousand two hundred dollars; nor in excess of three hundred dollars where the salary of the postmaster is one thousand three hundred dollars, one thousand four hundred dollars and one thousand five hundred dollars; nor in excess of four hundred dollars where the salary of the postmaster is one thousand six hundred dollars, one thousand seven hundred dollars, one thousand eight hundred dollars and one thousand nine hundred dollars.
For rent, light, and fuel for first, second, and third class post-offices, Rent, light, and fuel. *Provisos.* Limit.two million five hundred and fifty thousand dollars: *Provided,* That there shall not be allowed for the use of any third-class post-office for rent a sum in excess of four hundred dollars, nor more than eighty dollars for fuel and light in any one year: *And provided further,* That Leases.434the Postmaster-General may, in the disbursement of this appropriation, apply a part thereof to the purpose of leasing premises for the use of post-offices of the first, second, and third classes, at a reasonable annual rental, to be paid quarterly, for a term not exceeding ten years.
New York City. Lease of office. *Proviso.* Term of lease from New York Central Railroad. For lease of post-office at New York City, ninety thousand dollars: *Provided*, That no part of this appropriation shall he used for said purpose unless the Postmaster-General shall lease for post-office purposes for a period not exceeding twenty-five years, with the privilege or option on the part of the Government to release for twenty-five years longer a building to be erected over the tracks of the New York Central Railroad, in the city of New York, State of New York, within the space hounded by Lexington avenue, Madison avenue, Forty-second street, and Forty-sixth street, at an annual rental not exceeding ninety thousand dollars.
Purchase of site from Pennsylvania Railroad. Location. For the acquisition in fee by purchase from the Pennsylvania, New York and Long Island Railroad Company of a site for a post-office building in the city of New York, State of New York, of the lot of land bounded by Eighth avenue, Thirty-first street, Thirty-third street, and a line drawn parallel with Eighth avenue, and distant four hundred and fifteen feet westwardly from the westerly house line thereof, the westerly thirty feet of said lot, between Thirty-first and Thirty-third streets, to be used for a private street, or way, to be constructed by the Government for its purposes in connection with said post-office building; subject, however, to the rights of said railroad company, its successors and assigns, to he specifically defined in the contract of conveyance of said site, to retain, occupy, and use the subsurface of said lot for its railroad and station purposes, and to the necessary reservations for purposes of light and air. one million seven hundred thousand Not chargeable to postal revenues.dollars, or so much thereof as may be necessary, to be paid out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, and not from, nor *Proviso.* Terms, etc.chargeable to, the revenues of the postal service: *Provided,* That such appropriation shall not become available until the Postmaster-General shall have certified to the Secretary of the Treasury that the terms, conditions and limitations of such purchase and conveyance meet with his approval.
Miscellaneous. For necessary miscellaneous and incidental items directly connected with first and second class post-offices, including furniture, cleaning, and all other matters not specifically provided for in other appropriations, *Proviso.* Expenditures without written consent.two hundred and fifty thousand dollars: *Provided,* That the Postmaster-General, in his discretion, under such regulations as he shall prescribe, may authorize any of the postmasters of said offices to expend the funds he may allow them for such purposes without the written consent of the Postmaster-General.
Advertising, etc. For advertising and purchase of newspapers containing official advertisements contracted for under this appropriation at first and second class post-offices, twenty-five thousand dollars. Canceling machines. For rental or purchase of canceling machines, two hundred thousand dollars. Assistant superintendents. For compensation to seven assistant superintendents, salary and allowance division, at the rate of two thousand dollars per annum, fourteen thousand dollars.
Per diem, etc. For per diem allowance for seven assistant superintendents, salary and allowance division, when actually traveling on business of the Post-Office Department, at a rate to be fixed by the Postmaster-General, not to exceed four dollars per day, and for other necessary official expenses, ten thousand two hundred and twenty dollars. Miscellaneous items. *Proviso.* City directories. Miscellaneous items in the office of the First Assistant Postmaster-General, one thousand dollars: *Provided,* That a sum not exceeding three hundred dollars may be used for the purchase of city directories and books of reference. 435 supply division.
Supply division. For stationery for postal service, sixty-five thousand dollars. Stationery. For wrapping twine and tying devices, one hundred and forty-five Twine.thousand dollars. For wrapping paper, fifty thousand dollars. Wrapping paper. For letter balances, scales, and test weights, and repairs to same, Scales, etc.twelve thousand five hundred dollars. For postmarking and rating stamps, and repairs to same, and ink Postmarking etc., stamps.and pads for stamping and canceling purposes, thirty-five thousand dollars.
For rubber stamps and type, metal-bodied rubber type, dates, figures, Rubber stamps.and holders, and ink and pads for rubber stamps, five thousand dollars. For packing boxes, sawdust, paste, and hardware, two thousand Packing boxes, etc.dollars. For printing facing slips and cutting same, card slide labels, blanks, Printing.and books of an urgent nature, fifteen thousand dollars. Blanks, blank books, printed and engraved matter, binding and carbon Blank books, etc.paper for the money-order service, one hundred and twenty-five thousand dollars.
Rubber and metal stamps and repairs thereto; ribbons, pads, and Ribbons, etc.racks for the money-order service, six thousand dollars. Copying presses, typewriting machines, Typewriting machines, etc.envelope opening machines, and repairs thereto, for use of the money-order service, twelve thousand dollars. Exchange on drafts, stationery, and necessary miscellaneous expenses Miscellaneous expenses.of the money-order service, ten thousand dollars. office of the second assistant postmaster-general.
Second Assistant Postmaster-General. Inland mail transportation: For inland transportation by star Mail transportation. Star routes.routes, including temporary service to newly established offices, seven million eight hundred and fifty thousand dollars: *Provided,* That out *Proviso.* Alaska service.of this appropriation the Postmaster-General is authorized to provide difficult or emergency mail service in Alaska, including the establishment and equipment of relay stations, i n such manner as he may think advisable, without advertising therefor.
For inland transportation by steamboat and other power boat routes, Steamboat routes.seven hundred and fifty thousand dollars. For mail-messenger service, one million two hundred thousand dollars, Messenger service. Underground electric car service, Chicago. *Provisos.* Limit of cost.and for the performance of this service in the city of Chicago by underground electric cars, one hundred thousand dollars: *Provided,* That no part of this appropriation shall be used unless the Postmaster-General shall so decide, after satisfactory preliminary trial, and the service can be performed at a cost not exceeding that of an efficient wagon service between the same points: *Provided further,* That any Use of savings.money saved in utilizing ibis method of transportation, by discontinuance of screen-wagon service, on the basis of last year’s expenditures, may be available, in addition to said one hundred thousand dollars, for the purpose of covering the cost of the aforesaid underground electric service.
For transmission of mail by pneumatic tubes or other similar Pneumatic tubes.devices, five hundred thousand dollars from which sum may be paid the amount necessary to fulfill the existing contract for service in Boston. For regulation, screen, or other wagon service, one million one Wagon service.hundred and thirty-three thousand dollars. For mail bags, cord fasteners, label cases, and for labor and material Mail bags, etc.necessary for repairing equipment, and for incidental expenses pertaining thereto, three hundred thousand dollars: *Provided,* That *Proviso.* Convict labor goods prohibited.hereafter no contract shall be entered into by the.
Post-Office Depart-436ment for purchase of material or supplies to be manufactured by convict labor. Locks, keys, etc. For mail locks and keys, chains, tools and machinery, and for labor and material necessary for repairing same, and for incidental expenses pertaining thereto, forty-five thousand dollars. Repair shop. For rent of building for a mad-bag repair shop and lock-repair shop, and for fuel, gas, watchmen and charwomen, oil, and repair of machinery for said shops, ten thousand dollars.
Railroad routes. For inland transportation by railroad routes, of which a sum not exceeding one hundred and twenty thousand dollars may be employed to pay freight on postal cards, stamped envelopes, and stamped paper, mail equipment, and other supplies from the manufactories and depositories to the post-offices and depots of distribution, thirty-nine million six hundred and ninety-eight thousand dollars. Post-office ear service. For railway post-office car service, five million seven hundred and thirty-six thousand dollars.
Railway Mail Service. General superintendent, superintendents, clerks, etc. Railway mail service: One general superintendent, at four thousand dollars; one assistant, general superintendent, at three thousand five hundred dollars; one chief clerk, office of general superintendent, at two thousand dollars; one assistant chief clerk, office of general superintendent, at one thousand eight hundred dollars; eleven division superintendents, at three thousand dollars each; eleven assistant division superintendents, at one thousand eight hundred dollars each; five assistant superintendents, at one thousand eight hundred dollars each; twenty-three assistant superintendents, at one thousand six hundred dollars each; one hundred and twenty-five chief clerks, at one thousand six hundred dollars each; two hundred and fifty-three clerks, class six, at not exceeding one thousand five hundred dollars each; one thousand two hundred and forty-one clerks, class five, at not exceeding one thousand four hundred dollars each; five hundred and twenty-eight clerks, class five, at not exceeding one thousand three, hundred dollars each; one thousand seven hundred and twenty- six clerks, class four, at not exceeding one thousand two hundred dollars each; one thousand five hundred and fifty clerks, class four, at not exceeding one thousand one hundred dollars each; four thousand two bundled and eighteen clerks, class three, at not exceeding one thousand dollars each; two thousand and thirty-one clerks, class two, at not exceeding nine hundred dollars each; eight hundred and five clerks, class one, at not exceeding eight hundred dollars each; in all, thirteen million two hundred and twenty-four thousand dollars.
And the Appointments limited.appointment and assignment of clerks hereunder shall be so made during the fiscal year as not to involve a greater aggregate expenditure than this sum. Emergency service. For temporary clerk hire in classes one and two for emergency service, fifty thousand dollars. Substitute clerks. *Proviso.*Annual vacation. For substitutes for clerks on vacation, fifty thousand dollars: *Provided,* That the Postmaster-General may allow railway postal clerks whose duties require them to work six days or more per week, fifty-two weeks per year, an annual vacation of fifteen days with pay.
Acting clerks. Allowance in case of death. For acting clerks, in place of clerks injured while on duty, and to enable the Postmaster-General to pay the sum of one thousand dollars, which shall be exempt from the payment of debts of the deceased, to the legal representatives of any railway postal clerk or substitute railway postal clerk who shall be killed while on duty or who, being injured while on duty, shall die within one year thereafter as the result of such injury, one hundred and ten thousand dollars.
Traveling expenses. For actual and necessary expenses of general superintendent, assistant general superintendent, chief clerk office of general superintendent, assistant, chief clerk office of general superintendent, division superintendents, assistant division superintendents, chief clerks, and railway 437postal clerks, while actually traveling on business of the Department and away from their several designated headquarters, twenty-one thousand dollars. For rent, light, fuel, telegraph, and miscellaneous office expenses, Miscellaneous expenses.schedules of mail trains, telephone service, typewriting machines, and badges for railway postal clerks, fifty thousand dollars.
For per diem allowance of assistant superintendents, and for their Per diem, assistant superintendents.necessary official expenses not covered by their per diem allowance, not exceeding five thousand dollars, twenty-seven thousand dollars: *Provided,* That assistant superintendents may receive a per diem allowance *Proviso.* Allowance.in lieu of actual and necessary traveling expenses at the rate of four dollars per day while actually traveling on business of the Department. For inland transportation of mail by electric and cable cars, five Street cars. *Proviso.* Rate per mile.hundred and fifty thousand dollars: *Provided,* That the rate, of compensation to be paid per mile shall not exceed the rate now paid to companies performing said service.
For necessary and special facilities on trunk lines from Washington Special facilities. Washington to Atlanta and New Orleans. *Proviso.* Condition.to Atlanta and New Orleans, one hundred and forty-two thousand seven hundred and twenty-eight dollars and seventy-five cents: *Provided,* That no part of the appropriation made by this paragraph shall be expended unless the Postmaster-General shall deem such expenditure necessary in order to promote the interest of the postal service.
For continuing necessary and special facilities on trunk lines from Kansas City, Missouri, to Newton, Kansas, twenty-five thousand dollars Kansas City, Mo., to Newton, Kans. *Proviso.* Condition.or so much thereof as may be necessary: *Provided,* That no part of this appropriation shall be expended unless the Postmaster-Gene rid shall deem such expenditure necessary in order to promote the interest of the postal service. For transportation of foreign mails, two million six hundred and Foreign mails.
Mails to Tahiti.fifty thousand dollars, including additional compensation to the Oceanic Steamship Company for transporting by its steamer sailing from San Francisco to Tahiti all mails made up in the United States destined for the island of Tahiti, forty-five thousand dollars: *Provided,* That the *Provisos.* Maximum.sum paid the said Oceanic Steamship Company shall not exceed one dollar per mile, as authorized by Act of March third, eighteen hundred Vol. 26, p. 832.and ninety-one, entitled “An Act to provide for ocean mail service between the United States and foreign ports, and to promote commerce: *Provided further,* That hereafter the Postmaster-General Clerks on steamships.shall be authorized to expend such sums as may be necessary, not exceeding fifty-five thousand dollars, to cover one-half of the cost of transportation, compensation, and expense of clerks to be employed in assorting and pouching mails in transit on steamships between the United States and other postal administrations in the International Postal Union, and not exceeding forty thousand dollars for transferring Transfer to piers, etc., New York and San Francisco bays.the foreign mall from incoming steamships in New York Bay to the several steamship and railway piers, and between the steamship piers in New York City and Jersey City and the post-office and rail-road stations, and for transferring the foreign mail from incoming steamships in San Francisco Bay to the piers.
For balances due foreign countries, one hundred and fifty-three Balances due foreign countries.thousand dollars. For miscellaneous items, including railway guides, city directories, Miscellaneous items.and other books and periodicals necessary in connection with mail transportation, one thousand dollars. office of the third assistant postmaster-general Third Assistant Postmaster-General. For manufacture of adhesive postage and special-delivery stamps, Stamps.and books of stamps, four hundred and twenty-two thousand dollars. 438 Distribution.
For pay of agent and assistants to distribute stamps, and expenses of agency, nine thousand dollars. Stamped envelopes etc. For manufacture of stamped envelopes and newspaper wrappers, eight hundred and fifty thousand dollars. Distribution. For pay of agents and assistants to distribute stamped envelopes and newspaper wrappers, and expenses of agency, fifteen thousand dollars. Postal cards. For manufacture of postal cards, two hundred thousand dollars. Distribution. For pay of agents and assistants to distribute postal cards, and expenses of agency, twelve thousand dollars.
Official envelopes. For registered-package, tag, official, and dead-letter envelopes, two hundred and eleven thousand dollars. Ship, etc., letters. For ship, steamboat, and way letters, five hundred dollars. Indemnity for lost registered mail. For payment of limited indemnity for the loss of pieces of first-class registered matter, six thousand dollars. Blanks, etc. For blanks, books, and printed matter of urgent or special character, including the preparation, publication, and free distribution to the public of a pamphlet containing general postal information, and for intaglio seals, and other miscellaneous items of immediate necessity for the registry system, ten thousand dollars.
Miscellaneous. For miscellaneous items, one thousand dollars: Special counsel, second-class mail privilege suits. Vol. 32, p. 1174. The appropriation for the fiscal year nineteen hundred and four of twenty-five thousand dollars for the employment of special counsel to prosecute and defend suits affecting the second-class mailing privilege is hereby reappropriated and made available for the fiscal year nineteen hundred and five. office of the fourth assistant postmaster-general.
Fourth Assistant Postmaster-General. Inspectors. Salaries of post-office inspectors: For salaries of fifteen inspectors in charge of divisions, at. two thousand five hundred dollars each; six inspectors, at two thousand four hundred dollars each; fifteen inspectors, at two thousand two hundred and fifty dollars each; fifteen inspectors, at two thousand dollars each; seventy inspectors, at one thousand six hundred dollars each; sixty inspectors, at one thousand four hundred dollars each, and thirty-five inspectors, at one thousand two hundred dollars each; in all, three hundred and fifty-three thousand six hundred and fifty dollars.
Per diem. For per diem allowance of inspectors in the field while actually traveling on official business away from their home, their official domicile, *Proviso.* Allowance.and their headquarters, one hundred and ninety thousand dollars: *Provided,* That the Postmaster-General may in his discretion, allow post-office inspectors per diem while temporarily located at any place on business away from home, or their designated domicile, for a period not exceeding twenty consecutive days at any one place, and may make rules and regulations governing the foregoing provisions relating to Limit.per diem: *And provided further,* That no per diem shall be paid to inspectors receiving annual salaries of two thousand dollars or more.
Miscellaneous. For salaries of clerks and laborers at division headquarters, miscellaneous expenses at division headquarters, traveling expenses of inspectors without per diem, and of inspectors in charge, expenses incurred by field inspectors not covered by per diem allowance, and traveling expenses of the Fourth Assistant Postmaster-General and chief post-office *Proviso.* Obtaining information, etc.inspector, eighty-five thousand dollars: *Provided,* That of the amount herein appropriated not to exceed two thousand dollars may be expended, in the discretion of the Postmaster-General, for the purpose of securing information concerning violations of the postal laws, and for services and information looking toward the apprehension of criminals.
Rewards, etc. For payment of rewards for the detection, arrest, and conviction of post-office burglars, robbers, and highway mail robbers, twenty-five thousand dollars. 439 For miscellaneous items, one thousand dollars. Miscellaneous Items. Letter carriers. Free-delivery service: For pay of letter carriers in offices already established, and for substitute letter carriers, and for temporary carriers at summer resorts, holiday, election, and emergency service, twenty million two hundred and fifty thousand dollars.
For pay of letter carriers in new offices entitled to free-delivery New offices.service under existing law, one hundred and ten thousand dollars. For horse-hire allowance, seven hundred thousand dollars. Horse hire. For car fare and bicycle allowance, three hundred thousand dollars. Car fare etc. For compensation to twenty-two mechanics, at not exceeding nine hundred dollars each, nineteen thousand eight hundred dollars. For marine postal service, Detroit, Michigan, four thousand five Detroit, Mich.
Marine postal service. *Proviso.* Contract.hundred dollars: *Provided,* That the Postmaster-General shall enter into contract for such marine postal service for a period not exceeding five years at an annual rate not to exceed four thousand five hundred dollars. For all other incidental expenses, including letter boxes, package Incidental expenses.boxes, posts, furniture, satchels, and straps, three hundred thousand dollars. For car fare for special-delivery messengers in emergent cases, ten Special delivery.thousand dollars.
For fees to special-delivery messengers, nine hundred thousand dollars: *Provided,* That nothing in this Act contained shall be construed *Proviso.* Department regulations not affected. R. S. sec. 161, p. 26.to repeal or in any manner modify section one hundred and sixty-one of the Revised Statutes of the United States hi its application to the Post-Office Department. Rural free-delivery service: For compensation to six division Rural free delivery. Division superintendents.superintendents of rural free-delivery service at two thousand four hundred dollars each, fourteen thousand four hundred dollars.
For compensation to one rural agent, for rural carrier examining Agent for carrier examining board.board two thousand dollars. For compensation to twenty-five rural agents at one thousand six Rural agents. Compensation.hundred dollars each; eighteen rural agents at one thousand five hundred dollars each; eighteen rural agents atone thousand four hundred dollars each; twenty-five rural agents at one thousand three hundred dollars each; sixty-five rural agents at one thousand two hundred dollars each, and ten rural agents at one thousand dollars each, two hundred and twelve thousand seven hundred dollars.
On and after July first, nineteen hundred and four, special agents Division superintendents and rural agents. Titles designated.in charge of divisions of the rural free-delivery service shall be known and designated as division superintendents of rural free-delivery service; and special agents and route inspectors of such service shall be known and designated as rural agents. For per diem allowance for eighty-six rural agents in the field when Per diem at $4 a day.actually traveling on business of the Post-Office Department, at a rate to be fixed by the Postmaster-General, not to exceed four dollars per day, and for other necessary official expenses, one hundred and three thousand two hundred dollars.
For per diem allowance for seventy-five rural agents in the field Per diem at $3 a day.when actually traveling on business of the Post-Office Department, at a rate to be fixed by the Postmaster-General not to exceed three dollars per day, and for other necessary official expenses, sixty-seven thousand five hundred dollars. For incidental and other necessary official expenses of division superintendents Incidental, etc., expenses.and rural agents, livery hire, forty thousand dollars.
For compensation to clerks Clerks at headquarters.at division headquarters: Twelve clerks, at one thousand two hundred dollars each; ten clerks, at one thousand one hundred dollars each; ten clerks, at one thousand dollars each; eight clerks, at nine hundred dollars each, and six clerks, at seven hundred dollars each, forty-six thousand eight hundred dollars. 440 Carriers and substation clerks. For pay of letter earners and clerks in charge of substations of rural free-delivery service, twenty million one hundred and eighty thousand dollars: *Provisos.* Limit for clerks.
Carriers salaries. *Provided,* That not exceeding twelve thousand five hundred dollars of the amount hereby appropriated may be used for compensation of clerks in charge of substations. On and after July first, nineteen hundred and four, letter carriers of the rural free-delivery service shall receive a salary not exceeding seven hundred and twenty dollars per annum, and no other or further allowance or salary shall be made Restrictions.to said carriers; and on and after said date said carriers shall not solicit business or receive orders of any kind for any person, firm, or corporation, and shall not, during their hours of employment, carry any Carrying permitted.merchandise for hire: *Provided,* That said carriers may carry merchandise for hire for and upon the request of patrons residing upon their respective routes, whenever the same shall not interfere with the proper discharge of their official duties, and under such regulations as the Postmaster-General may prescribe.
Incidental expenses. For incidental expenses, including letter boxes, furniture, satchels, straps, badges, and the making of maps for use in the rural free-delivery service and so forth, one hundred and fifty thousand dollars. Transmitting in bulk third and fourth class matter without stamps. Sec. 2. That hereafter, under such regulations as the Postmaster-General may establish for the collection of the lawful revenue and for facilitating the handling of such matter in the mails, it shall he lawful to accept for transmission in the mails quantities of not less than two thousand identical pieces of third or fourth class matter without postage *Proviso.* Prepaid postage.stamps affixed: *Provided,* That postage shall be fully prepaid thereon, at the rate required by law for a single piece of such matter.
Purchasing agent. Appointment, etc. Sec. 3. That there shall be appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, a purchasing agent for the Post-Office Department, who shall hold office for four years unless sooner removed by the President, and who shall receive an annual salary of Bond.four thousand dollars, give bond to the United States in such sum as the Postmaster-General may determine, and report direct to the Postmaster-General; Duties.and who shall, under such regulations, not inconsistent with existing law, as the Postmaster-General shall prescribe, and subject to his direction and control, have supervision of the purchase of all supplies for the postal service.
Purchasing Supplies. The purchasing agent, in making purchases for supplies necessary for the Post-Office Department, shall advertise, as now provided by law, and award contracts for such supplies to the lowest responsible Record of bids.bidder in pursuance of existing law. The purchasing agent shall have recorded in a book to be kept for that purpose a true and faithful abstract of all bids made for furnishing supplies to the Post-Office Department, giving the name of the party bidding, the terms of the offer, the sum to be paid, and he shall keep on file and preserve all such bids until the end of the contract term to which they relate.
Inspection of bids.Each bidder shall have the right to be present, either in person or by attorney, when the bids are opened, and shall have the right to examine, Preference to domestic productions, etc.and inspect all bids. All purchases, advertisements, and contracts for supplies for the Post-Office Department shall be made by the purchasing agent in the name of the Postmaster-General subject to his approval, and in purchasing such supplies preference shall be given to articles of domestic production and manufacture, conditions of price Proposals.
Records to be open to inspection.and quality being equal. There shall be separate proposals and separate contracts for each class of material furnished. These records shall lie open at all times for the inspection of Congress, and for the inspection of those who may be interested in such contracts made, or to be made, to furnish supplies to the Post-Office Department. Per diem charges restricted. Sec. 4. 1 hat on and after July first, nineteen hundred and four, all officers and employees of the Post-Office Department who are entitled 441to a per diem allowance when traveling, in lieu of actual expenses, shall only be allowed such per diem when actually engaged in traveling on official business away from their home, their official domicile, and their headquarters, except in cases of post-office inspectors while Exceptions.temporarily located at any place on business away from home, or their designated domicile, for a period not exceeding twenty consecutive days at any one place; and the Postmaster-General shall designate an Official domicile.official domicile and headquarters within the division or territory to which such officer or employee is assigned.
Sec. 5. That the appropriations herein made for the officers, clerks, No payment to permanently incapacitated persons.and persons employed in the postal service shall not be available for the compensation of any persons permanently incapacitated for performing such service. The establishment of a civil pension roll or an Prohibition of civil pension rolls, etc.honorable service roll, or the exemption of any of the officers, clerks, and persons in the postal service from the existing laws respecting employment in such service is hereby prohibited.
Sec. 6. That if the revenues of the Post-Office Department shall be Appropriations to meet deficiencies.insufficient to meet the appropriations made by this Act, a sum equal to such deficiency of the revenues of said Department is hereby appropriated, to be paid out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, to supply said deficiencies in the revenues for the Post-Office Department for the year ending June thirtieth, nineteen hundred and five. Sec. 7. That hereafter the Vice-President, Members and Members-elect Congressional franking privilege.
Weight of free matter increased. Vol. 30, p. 443.of and Delegates and Delegates-elect to Congress shall have the privilege of sending free through the mails, and under their frank, any mail matter to any Government official or to any person, correspondence, not exceeding four ounces in weight, upon official or departmental business. Sec. 8. That every postmaster shall reside within the delivery of the Residence of postmaster. R. S., sec. 3831, p. 750, repealed.office to which he is appointed or within the town or city where the same is situated, and section thirty-eight hundred and thirty-one of the Revised Statutes of the United States is hereby repealed.
Approved, April 28, 1904.
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