Chapter 162.
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CHAP. 162.— AN ACT Making appropriations for the service of the Post Office Department for the fiscal year ending June thirtieth, nineteen hundred and eighteen, and for other purposes. March 3, 1917.[[H. R. 19410](/us/bill/64/hr/19410).][[Public, No. 380](/us/pl/64/380).] *Be it enacted by th e Senate and Howe of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,* That the following sums be, Postal Service appropriations.and they are hereby, appropriated for the service of the Post Office 1059Department, in conformity with the Act of July second, eighteen Vol. 5, p. 80.hundred and thirty-six, as follows: office of the postmaster general.
Postmaster General. For rent of suitable buildings for the use of the Post Office Repair shops.Rent.*Proviso.* Rental continued until completion of equipment shops.*Ante,* p. 412.Department, including the mail-bag-repair shop and lock-repair shop, if $,000: *Provided,* That in the event the new Post Office Department equipment shops building now being constructed is not ready for occupancy by August first, nineteen hundred and seventeen, the Postmaster General is authorized to continue the rental of the building at First and K Streets, northeast, Washington, District of Columbia, known as the Post Office Department Annex, until such time as the new building may be completed but such rental shall not extend beyond September thirtieth, nineteen hundred and seventeen.
For gas, electric power and light, and the repair of machinery, Power, etc.United States Post Office Department equipment shops building, $4,500. For salaries of post-office inspectors: For salaries of fifteen Post office inspectors.inspectors in charge of divisions, at $3,000 each; thirty inspectors, at $2,400 each; twenty inspectors, at $2,250 each; thirty-two inspectors, at $2,100 each; twenty inspectors, at $2,000 each; thirty inspectors, at $1,900 each; ninety inspectors, at $1,800 each: sixty inspectors, at $1,700 each; sixty inspectors, at $1,600 each; and sixty-five inspectors, at $1,500 each; in all, $783,700.
For per diem allowance of inspectors in the field while actually Per diem.traveling on official business away from their homes, their official domiciles, and their headquarters, at a rate to be fixed by the Postmaster General, not to exceed $3 per day: *Provided,* That the Postmaster *Provisos.* Temporary allowances.General may, in his discretion, allow inspectors per diem while temporarily located at any place on business away from their homes or their designated domiciles for a period not exceeding twenty consecutive days at any one place, and make rules and regulations governing the foregoing provisions relating to per diem: *And provided further,* Limit.That no per diem shall be paid to inspectors receiving annual salaries of $2,000 or more, except the thirty-two inspectors receiving $2,100 each, $262,860.
For compensation to clerks at division headquarters, fifteen, at $1,800 each; fifteen, at Clerks at division headquarters.$1,600 each; twenty, at $1,400 each; thirty, at $1,200 each; ten, at $1,000 each; and ten, at $900 each; in all, $134,000. For traveling expenses of inspectors without per diem allowance, Traveling, etc., expenses.inspectors in charge, and the chief post-office inspector, and expenses incurred by inspectors not covered by per diem allowance, unusual and extraordinary expenses necessarily incurred for maintenance by inspectors over and above per diem allowance while traveling on official business in connection with the postal service of Alaska, and for the traveling expenses of four clerks performing stenographic and clerical assistance to post-office inspectors in the investigation of important fraud cases, $43,850.
For livery hire incurred by inspectors not covered by their per Livery hire.diem allowance, including livery hire in connection with the installation and inspection of rural routes, $45,000. For necessary miscellaneous expenses at division headquarters, Miscellaneous.$7,500. For payment of rewards for the detection, arrest, and conviction Rewards, etc. *Provisos.* Death of offender.of post-office burglars, robbers, and highway mail robbers: *Provided,* That rewards may be paid, in the discretion of the Postmaster General, when an offender of the class mentioned was killed in the act of committing the crime or in resisting lawful arrest: *And provided further,* Securing information.That of the amount herein appropriated not to exceed 1060$5,000 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, $25,000.
Special attorney in postal cases. For compensation of a special assistant to the Attorney General to assist in the defense of cases against the United States arising out of the transportation of the mails and in other cases and matters affecting the postal revenues, $6,000. Travel, etc. For travel and miscellaneous expenses in the Postal Service, office of the Postmaster General, $1,000. OFFICE OF THE FIRST ASSISTANT POSTMASTER GENERAL. First Assistant Postmaster General. Postmasters.
Assistant postmasters. For compensation to postmasters, $32,000,000. For compensation to assistant postmasters at first and second class post offices, five, at not exceeding $4,000 each; forty-two, at not exceeding $3,000 each; ten, at not exceeding $2,500 each; ten, at not exceeding $2,000 each; fifteen, at not exceeding $1,900 each; fifty, at not exceeding $1,800 each; one hundred, at not exceeding $1,700 each; one hundred and sixty, at not exceeding $1,600 each; two hundred, at not exceeding $1,500 each; one hundred and sixty- five, at not exceeding $1,400 each; three hundred and fifty, at not exceeding $1,300 each; six hundred and sixty, at not exceeding $1,200 each; five hundred and twenty-five, at not exceeding $1,100 each; three hundred and thirty-eight, at not exceeding $1,000 each; one hundred and thirty, at not exceeding $900 each; one hundred, at not exceeding $800 each; in all, $3,500,000, Appointments restricted.
And the appointment and assignment of assistant postmasters hereunder shall be so made during the fiscal year as not to involve a greater aggregate expenditure than this sum. Employees first and second class offices. For compensation to clerks and employees at first and second class post offices: At $3,200. Superintendents of delivery, superintendents of mails, superintendents of money order, and superintendents of registry, ten, at not exceeding $3,200 each. At $3,000. Auditors, and superintendents of mail, ten, at not exceeding $3,000 each.
At $2,700. Assistant superintendents of mails, superintendents of delivery, and superintendents of mails, twenty, at not exceeding $2,700 each. At $2,600. Assistant superintendents of mails, cashiers, superintendents of delivery, and superintendents of mails, thirty, at not exceeding $2,600 each. At $2,500. Assistant superintendents of mails, cashiers, superintendents of delivery, superintendents of mails and superintendents of stations, thirty, at not exceeding $2,500 each. At $2,400.
Assistant superintendents of delivery, assistant superintendents of mails, assistant superintendents of money order, assistant superintendents of registry, bookkeepers, cashiers, finance clerks, stenographers, superintendents of delivery, superintendents of mails, superintendents of money order, and superintendents of registry, fifty, at not exceeding $2,400 each. At $2,200. Assistant superintendents of mails, bookkeepers, cashiers, chief mailing clerics, chief stamp clerks, finance clerks, superintendents of delivery, superintendents of mails, superintendents of money order, superintendents of registry, and superintendents of stations, fifty-five, at not exceeding $2,200 each.
At $2,000. Assistant cashiers, assistant superintendents of delivery, assistant superintendents of mails, assistant superintendents of money order, assistant superintendents of registry, bookkeepers, cashiers, examiners of stations, finance clerks, superintendents of carriers, super-1061intendents of delivery, superintendents of mails, superintendents of money order, superintendents of registry, superintendents of second -class matter, superintendents of inquiry, and superintendents of stations, one hundred and seventy-five, at not exceeding $2,000 each.
Assistant cashiers, assistant superintendents of delivery, assistant At $1,800.superintendents of mails, assistant superintendents of money order, assistant superintendents of registry, assistant superintendents of stations, bookkeeper, cashiers, chief mailing clerks, chief stamp clerks, examiners of stations, finance clerks, stenographers, 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 sixty-five, at not exceeding $1,800 each.
Assistant cashiers, assistant superintendents of delivery, assistant At $1,700.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, stenographers, 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 seventy, at not exceeding $1,700 each.
Assistant cashiers, assistant superintendents of delivery, assistant At $1,600.superintendents of mails, assistant superintendents of money order, assistant At $1,500.superintendents of registry, assistant superintendents of stations, bookkeepers, cashiers, chief mailing clerks, chief stamp clerks, examiners of stations, finance clerks, foremen of crews, stenographers, superintendents of carriers, superintendants of delivery, superintendents of mails, superintendents of money order, superintendents of registry, superintendents of second-class matter, and superintendents of stations, two hundred and ninety, at not exceeding $1,600 each.
Assistant cashiers, assistant superintendents of delivery, assistant At $1,500.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, stenographers, 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, nine hundred and fifty, at not exceeding $1,500 each.
Assistant cashiers, assistant superintendents of delivery, assistant superintendents At $1,400.of mails, assistant superintendents of money order, assistant superintendents of registry, assistant superintendents of stations, bookkeepers, cashiers, chief mailing clerks, chief stamp clerks, special clerks, examiners of stations, finance clerks, foremen of crews, stenographers, 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 thousand seven hundred and ten, at not exceeding $1,400 each.
Assistant cashiers, assistant superintendents of delivery, assistant At $1,300.superintendents of money order, assistant superintendent of mails, assistant superintendents of registry, assistant superintendents of stations, bookkeepers, cashiers, chief mailing clerks, chief stamp clerks, examiners of stations, finance clerks, foremen of crews, special clerks, stenographers superintendents of carriers, superintendents of delivery, superintendents of mails, superintendents of money order, 1062superintendents of registry, superintendents of second-class matter, and superintendents of stations, three thousand eight hundred and’ sixty-five, at not exceeding $1,300 each.
At $1,200. 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, stenographers, superintendents of carriers, superintendents of second-class matter, and superintendents of stations, nineteen thousand five hundred, at not exceeding $1,200 each. At $1,100.
Assistant superintendents of stations, clerks, stenographer’s, superintendent of carriers, superintendents of second-class matter, and superintendents of stations, nine thousand, at not exceeding $1,100 each. At $1,000. Assistant superintendents of stations, clerks, clerks in charge of stations, stenographers, superintendents of carriers, and superintendents of second-class matter, three thousand three hundred, at not exceeding $1,000 each. At $900. Clerks, clerks in charge of stations, and stenographers, two thousand, at not exceeding $900 each.
At $800. Clerks and clerks in charge of stations, one thousand nine hundred and seventy-seven, at not exceeding $800 each. Substitutes. Promotions provided for. First class offices. Substitutes for clerks and employees absent without pay; And to provide for the promotion of eighty-five per centum of the clerks in first-class post offices from the fifth to the sixth grade, and for the promotion of fifteen per centum of the clerks in the sixth grade to the designation of “special clerk” in the $1,300 grade, and for the promotion of fifteen per centum of the designated “special clerks” in the $1,300 grade to the designation of “special clerk” in Second class offices.the $1,400 grade, and to provide for the promotion of eighty-five per centum of the clerks in second-class post offices from the fourth to the fifth grade, and for the promotion of fifteen per centum of the clerics in second-class post offices from the fifth to the sixth grade: *Provisos.* Foremen and stenographers.*And provided further,* That there may also be employed at first-class post offices foremen and stenographers at a salary of $1,300 or more per annum; in all, $50,200,000.
Appointments restricted. Increase in clerks. Vol. 34, p. 1206. *Provided,* That hereafter the appointment and assignment of clerks hereunder shall be so made during each fiscal year as not to involve a greater aggregate expenditure than the sum appropriated; and to enable the Postmaster General to carry out the provisions of this Act and also the Act of March second, nineteen hundred and seven, classifying clerks and city letter carriers in first and second class post offices, he may hereafter exceed the number of clerks appropriated Aggregate number.for for particular grades: *Provided,* That the number of clerks in the aggregate as herein authorized be not exceeded.
Compensatory time for holidays allowed “special clerks.” *And provided further,* That hereafter when the needs of the service require the employment on holidays of “special clerks” in first and second class post offices, they shall be allowed compensatory time on one of the thirty days next following the holiday on which they perform such service. Printers, mechanics, etc. For compensation to printers, mechanics, and skilled laborers, twenty-two, at $1,200 each; four, at $1,100 each; and thirty-one, at $1,000 each; in all, $61,800.
For compensation to watchmen, messengers, and Watchmen, messengers, etc.laborers, one thousand eight hundred and twenty-five, at $900 each; in all, $1,639,500. *Proviso.* Compensatory time for holiday, etc., work. *Provided,* That hereafter when the needs of the Postal Service require the employment on Sundays or holidays of foremen, watchmen, messengers, and laborers they shall be granted compensatory time in the same manner as provided by law for clerks and carriers in first and second class post offices. 1063 For compensation to clerks in charge of contract stations, $1,170,000.
Contract station clerks. For temporary and auxiliary clerk hire Temporary, auxiliary, and substitute clerks.and for substitute clerk hire for clerks and employees absent with pay at first and second class post offices and temporary and auxiliary clerk hire at summer and winter resort post offices, $2,300,000. For separating mails at third and fourth class post offices, $715,000. Separating mails. For unusual conditions at post offices, $130,000. Unusual conditions. For allowances to third-class post offices to cover the cost of clerical services, $1,900,000.
Third mass offices. *Provided,* That no allowance in excess of $300 shall be made where *Provisos.* Allowance for clerks.the salary of the postmaster is $1,000, $1,100, or $1,200; nor in excess of $400 where the salary of the postmaster is $1,300, $1,400, or $1,500; and that no allowance in excess of $500 shall be made where the salary of the postmaster is $1,600 or $1,700; nor in excess of $800 where the salary of the postmaster is $1,800 or $1,900. *And provide further,* That the Postmaster General may, in the disbursement Assistant postmasters.of this appropriation, expend not exceeding $400,000 for the employment, at a maximum salary of $600 per annum, of assistant postmasters at post offices of the third class where the salary of the postmaster is $1,800 or $1,900 per annum.
For rent, light, and fuel for first, second, and third class post offices, Rent, light, and fuel. *Proviso.* Ten-year leases.$5,900,000: *Provided,* That the Postmaster General may, in the disbursement of the appropriation for such purposes, 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; and that there Limit, third class offices.shall not be allowed for the use of any third-class post office for rent a sum in excess of $500, nor more than $100 for fuel and light, in any one year.
For miscellaneous items necessary and incidental to post offices of Miscellaneous items.the first and second classes, $350,000. For pay of letter carriers at offices already established, including City delivery. Carriers.substitutes for letter carriers absent without pay, and for the promotion of eighty-five per centum of the letter carriers in first-class post offices from the fifth to the sixth grade and for the promotion of Promotions.eighty-five per centum of the letter carriers in second-class post offices from the fourth to the fifth grade and for the promotion of fifteen per centum of the letter carriers in second-class post offices from the fifth to the sixth grade, City Delivery Service, $40,590,000.
For pay of substitutes for letter carriers absent with pay, Substitutes.and of auxiliary and temporary letter carriers at offices where city delivery is already established, $4,100,000. For pay of letter carriers, substitute and auxiliary letter carriers at Carriers, new offices.offices where city delivery service is established during the year, $75,000. For vehicle allowance, Vehicle allowance.the hiring of drivers, the rental of vehicles, and the purchase and exchange and maintenance, including stable and garage facilities, of wagons or automobiles for, and the operation of, screen-wagon and city delivery and collection services, $5,965,000: *Provided,* That the Postmaster General may, in his disbursement of this appropriation, apply a part thereof to the leasing of quarters for the housing of Government-owned automobiles at a reasonable annual rental for a term not exceeding ten years.
For mail-messenger service, $2,243,000. For the transmission of mail by pneumatic tubes or other similar Messenger service. Pneumatic tubes. *Proviso.* Existing contracts extended.devices, $1,001,000: *Provided,* That the Postmaster General is hereby authorized and directed to extend existing contracts for pneumatictube service until June thirtieth, nineteen hundred and eighteen, and the Postmaster General is directed to expend this appropriation for the sole purpose of continuing the existing pneumatic mail-tube service, and no part thereof shall be expended for the transportation 1064of mails in any other manner than herein authorized: *Provided further,* Congressional commission to investigate value of service, etc.That a commission consisting of three members of the Committee on Post Offices and Post Roads of the United States Senate, to be designated by the Vice President, and three members of the Committee on Post Offices and Post Roads of the House of Representatives, to be designated by the Speaker of the House, is hereby authorized and directed to investigate the value of the pneumatictube service, their properties, franchises, and other equipment, with a view to the purchase and operation of the same or any portion thereof by the Government and to ascertain the cost and the terms Expert assistance etc.upon which such purchase may be made;
The employment of expert and other assistance is authorized, and the expense of such assistance and of the inquiry shall be paid from the appropriation for service by pneumatic tubes, not to exceed $25,000, and said commission shall make a report, with recommendations to Congress, on or by the first day of January, nineteen hundred and eighteen. Car fare, etc. For car fare and bicycle allowance, $625,000. Streetcar collections. For street car collection service, $9,000. Detroit River.
For Detroit River postal service, $7,250. Special delivery. For car fare for special-delivery messengers in emergency cases, $13,000. Fees. For fees to special-delivery messengers, $2,500,000. Travel, etc. For travel and miscellaneous expenses in the Postal Service, office of the First Assistant Postmaster General, $1,000. office of the second assistant postmaster general. Second Assistant Postmaster General. Star routes, Alaska. For inland transportation by star routes in Alaska, $312,000: *Proviso.* Emergency service. *Provided,* That out of tide appropriation the Postmaster General is authorized to provide difficult or emergency mail service in Alaska, including the establishment and equipment of relay stations, in such manner as he may think advisable, without advertising therefor.
Steamboat, etc., routes. *Proviso.* Experimental aeroplane service. For inland transportation by steamboat or other power-boat routes, or by aeroplanes, $1,224,000: *Provided,* That out of this appropriation the Postmaster General is authorized to expend not exceeding $100,000 for the purchase, operation, and maintenance of aeroplanes for an experimental aeroplane mail service between such points as he may determine. Railroad routes. *Proviso.* Freight trains, etc. For inland transportation by railroad routes, $66,350,000: *Provided,* That not to exceed $1,000,000 of this appropriation may be expended for pay of freight and incidental charges for the transportation of mails conveyed under special arrangement in freight trains or otherwise.
Freight on postal cards, etc. For pay of freight or expressage on postal cards, stamped envelopes, newspaper wrappers, and empty man bags, $200,000. Railway Mail Service. Division, and assistant superintendents, clerks, etc. Railway Mail Service: For fifteen division superintendents, at $3,250 each; two assistant superintendents, at $2,350 each; fifteen assistant division superintendents, at $2,250 each; one hundred and eighteen chief clerks, at not exceeding $2,100 each; four hundred and seventy-four clerks, grade ten, at not exceeding $1,800 each; two thousand and fifty-three clerks, grade nine, at not exceeding $1,700 each; four hundred and twenty-nine clerks, grade eight, at not exceeding $1,600 each; eight thousand two hundred and four clerks, grade seven, at not exceeding $1,500 each; seven hundred and ninety-six clerks, grade six, at not exceeding $1,400 each; two thousand four hundred and three clerks, grade five, at not exceeding $1,300 each; four thousand one hundred and twenty-two clerks, grade four, at not exceeding $1,200 each; seventy-eight clerks, grade three, at not exceeding $1,100 each; seventy-nine clerks, grade two, at not exceeding $1,000 each; four thousand one hundred and twenty clerks, grade one, at not exceeding $900 each; in all, 1065$28,385,500: *Provided,* That hereafter any substitute railway postal *Provisos.* Appointment to grade one of substitute clerks.clerk shall, after having performed service equivalent to three hundred and thirteen days, be appointed railway postal clerk of grade one, and in computing such service credit shall be allowed for service performed prior to the approval of this Act: *Provided further,* That No reduction in pay by transfer to other service.hereafter when railway postal clerks are transferred from one assignment to another because of changes in the service their salaries shall not be reduced by reason of such change: *Provided further,* That Promotion of clerks in charge of crews.hereafter clerks assigned as clerks in charge of crews consisting of more than one clerk shall be clerks of grades five to ten, inclusive, and may be promoted one grade only after three years’ satisfactory and faithful service in such capacity: *Provided further,* That railway Full time allowed when deadheading.
Appointments, etc., restricted.postal clerks shall be credited with lull time when deadheading under orders of the department, and the 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; and, to enable the Postmaster General to reclassify the salaries of railway postal clerks and make necessary appointments and promotions, he may exceed the number of clerks in such of the grades as may be necessary: *Provided,* That the number of clerks in the aggregate as herein Aggregate limited.authorized be not exceeded.
For travel allowances to railway postal clerks, acting railway postal Travel allowances. clerks, and substitute railway postal clerks, including substitute railway postal clerks for railway postal clerks granted leave with pay on account of sickness, $1,638,959: *Provided,* That the Act of August *Proviso.* Rates established. Vol. 37, p. 548, amended.twenty-fourth, nineteen hundred and twelve (Thirty-seventh Statutes, page five hundred and forty-eight), be amended to read as follows:
“That hereafter, in addition to the salaries by law provided, the Postmaster General is hereby authorized to make travel allowances in lieu of actual expenses, at fixed rates per annum, not exceeding in the aggregate the sum annually appropriated, to railway postal clerks, acting railway postal clerks, and substitute railway postal clerks, including substitute railway postal clerks for railway postal clerks granted leave with pay on account of sickness, assigned to duty in railway post-office cars, while on duty, after ten hours from the time of beginning their initial run, under such regulations as he may prescribe, and in no case shall such an allowance exceed $1.20 per day.
” For temporary clerk hire for emergency service, $60,000. Temporary clerks. For substitutes for clerks on vacation, $864,585: *Provided,* That the Substitutes. *Proviso.* Use for regular clerks.appropriation for the payment of substitutes for clerks on vacation may be utilized for the payment of salaries of regular clerks. For actual and necessary expenses, general superintendent and Traveling expenses.assistant general superintendent, division superintendents, assistant division superintendents, and thief clerks, Railway Mail Service, and railway postal clerks, while actually traveling on business of the Post Office Department and away from their several designated headquarters, $50,000.
For rent, light, heat, fuel, telegraph, miscellaneous and office Miscellaneous.expenses, schedules of mail trains, telephone service, and badges for railway postal clerks, including rental of offices for division headquarters, and chief clerk, Railway Mail Service, in Washington, District of Columbia, and rental of space for terminal railway post offices for Rent for terminal offices.the distribution of mails when the furnishing of space tor such distribution can not under the Postal Laws and Regulations properly be required of railroad companies without additional compensation, and for equipment and miscellaneous items necessary and incidental to terminal railway post offices, $557,156.
For per diem allowance of two assistant superintendents while Per diem assistant superintendents.actually traveling on official business away from their home, their official domicile, and their headquarters, at a rate to be fixed by the 1066Postmaster General, not to exceed $3 per day, and for their necessary official expenses not covered by their per diem allowance, not exceeding $500; in all, $2,660. Electric and cable car service. *Provisos.* Rate of pay. For inland transportation of mail by electric and cable cars, $581,000: *Provided,* That the rate of compensation to be paid per mile shall not exceed the rate now paid to companies performing such service, except that the Postmaster General, in cases where the quantity of mail is large and the number of exchange points numerous, may, in his discretion, authorize payment for closed-pouch service at a rate per mile not to exceed one-third above the rate per mile now paid for closed-pouch service; and for mail cam and apartments carrying the mails, not to exceed the rate of 1 cent per linear foot Outside of cities.per car-mile of travel: *Provided further,* That the rates for electric car service on routes over twenty miles in length outside of cities Unusual conditions.shall not exceed the rates paid for service on steam railroads: *Provided, however,* That not to exceed $15,000 of the sum hereby appropriated may be expended, in the discretion of the Postmaster General, whore unusual conditions exist or where such service will be more Substitution of wagon service.expeditious and efficient and at no greater cost than otherwise, and not to exceed $100,000 of this appropriation may be expended for regulation screen or motor screen wagon service which may be authorized hi lieu of electric or cable car service.
Foreign mails. *Proviso.* Clerks onsteamships For transportation of foreign mails, $3,720,900: *Provided,* That the Postmaster General shall be authorized to expend such sums as may be necessary, not exceeding $103,000, to cover the cost to the United States of maintaining sea post service on steamships conveying the mails. Assistant superintendent. *Proviso.* Contracts authorized for mail on large, swift, steamships built in United States. For assistant superintendent, Division of Foreign Mails, with headquarters in New York, New York, $2,500: *Provided,* That hereafter the Postmaster General is hereby authorized and empowered to enter into contracts with American citizens for the carrying of the mail between the United States and Great Britain on steamships built in the United States capable of maintaining a speed of thirty knots an hour at sea in ordinary weather and of a gross registered tonnage of not less than thirty-five thousand tons, the said service to commence Rates.not more than four years after the contract shall be let.
Tire rate of compensation to be paid for the said ocean mail service shall not exceed the sum of $8 per mile by the shortest practicable route for Right to reject bids.each outward voyage. Tire Postmaster General shall have the right to reject all bids not in his opinion reasonable for the attaining of the Provisions of former Act applicable. Vol. 26, p. 830.purposes named: *Provided further,* That all of the provisions of the Act of March third, eighteen hundred and ninety-one, entitled “An Act to provide for ocean mail service between the United States and foreign ports, and to promote commerce,” so far as they are not inconsistent herewith shall control and apply to the methods to be used and contracts to be made hereunder.
For balances duo foreign countries, $681,700. Balances due foreign countries. Travel, etc. For travel and miscellaneous expenses in the Postal Service, office of the Second Assistant Postmaster General, $1,000. office of the third assistant postmaster general. Third Assistant Postmaster General. Stamps. For manufacture of adhesive postage stamps, special-delivery stamps, books of stamps, and for coiling of stamps, $962,000. Stamped envelopes and wrappers. For manufacture of stamped envelopes and newspaper wrappers, $1,825,000.
Distribution. For pay of agent and assistants to examine and distribute stamped envelopes and newspaper wrappers, and expenses of agency, $15,500. Postal cards. For manufacture of postal cards, $500,000. Ship, etc., letters. For ship, steamboat, and way letters, $150. 1067 For payment of limited indemnity for the injury or loss of pieces Indemnity, lost registered mail.of domestic registered matter, insured, and collect-on-delivery mail, $320,000. For payment of limited indemnity for the loss of registered articles in the international mails, in accordance with convention stipulations, $10,000, For travel and miscellaneous expenses in the Postal Service, Travel, etc.office of the Third Assistant Postmaster General, $1,000.
For travel and miscellaneous expenses in the service of the Postal Postal Savings SystemSavings System, office of the director, $500. office of the fourth assistant postmaster general. Fourth Assistant Postmaster General. For stationery for the Postal Service, including blanks, books, Stationery, etc.printed and engraved matter, binding and carbon paper, and other miscellaneous items for the money-order and registry systems; also the preparation, publication, and free distribution by postmasters to the public of pamphlet containing general postal information; and Envelope inspector, etc.also pay of one envelope inspector at $1,800 per annum, and one assistant st $900 per annum, $522,000. postal savings system.
For the purchase of supplies for the Postal Savings System, including Supplies, Postal Savings System.blank books, forms, pamphlets, rubber stamps, canceling devices, certificates and cards and stamps for use in evidencing Bond expenses. Vol. 36, p. 817.deposits, and free penalty envelopes; and for the reimbursement of the Secretary of the Treasury for expenses incident to the preparation, issue, and registration of the bonds authorized by the Act of June twenty-fifth, nineteen hundred and ten, $75,000.
For postmarking, rating, money-order stamps, and electrotype Postmarking, etc., stamps.plates, and repairs to same, metal, rubber, and combination type, dates and figures, type holders, ink, and pads for canceling and stamping purposes, $50,000. For wrapping twine and tying devices, $275,000. For the purchase, exchange, and repair of typewriting machines, Twine, etc. Purchase, exchange, etc., of miscellaneous articles.envelope-opening machines, and computing machines, copying presses, numbering machines, time recorders, letter balances, scales, test weights, and miscellaneous articles purchased and furnished directly to the Postal Service, $180,000.
For equipment for the Rural Delivery Service, including the purchase Rural delivery equipment.and repair of furniture, satchels and straps, and collection boxes and the erection and painting of such boxes, $20,000. For defraying expenses incident to the shipment of supplies, including Shipping supplies.hardware, boxing, packing, cartage, freight, and the pay of one carpenter at $1,200 per annum and nine requisition fillers, at $900 each per annum, for assignment in connection therewith, $140,000.
For miscellaneous expenses in the preparation and publication of Post route, etc., maps.post-route maps and rural-delivery maps or blue prints, including tracing for photolithographic reproduction, $25,000; and the Postmaster General may authorize the sale to the public of post-route Sale, etc.maps and rural-delivery maps or blue prints at the cost of printing and ten per centum thereof added, the proceeds of such sale to be used as a further appropriation for the preparation and publication of post-route maps and rural-delivery maps or blue prints; of this amount $500 may be expended in the purchase of atlases and geographical and technical works.
For rental and purchase of canceling machines, including cost Canceling machines.of power in rented buildings motors repairs to motors, and miscellaneous expenses of installation and operation, $320,000. 1068 Mechanical labor-saving devices. For the purchase, rental, repair, exchange, and maintenance of mechanical mail-handling apparatus and other labor-saving devices $75,000. City delivery equipment. For equipment for City Delivery Service, including letter boxes, letter-box fasteners, package boxes, posts, furniture, and the erecting and painting of same, also trucks, baskets, satchels, straps, time cards, and time-card frames, and the repairing of such equipment, and for the purchase and repair of presses and dies and manufacture of letter boxes, $350,000.
Mail bags, locks, etc. For the purchase, manufacture, and repair of mail bags and other mail containers, and attachments, mail locks, keys, chains, tools, machinery, and material necessary for same, and tor incidental expenses Equipment shops supplies.pertaining thereto; also material, machinery, and took necessary for the manufacture and repair in the equipment shops at Washington, District of Columbia, of such other equipment for the *Proviso.* Distinctive equipment for departments, Alaska, and insular possessions.Postal Service as may be deemed expedient, $367,000: *Provided,* That out of this appropriation the Postmaster General is authorized to use as much of the sum, not exceeding $5,000, as may be deemed necessary for the purchase of material and the manufacture in the equipment shops of such small quantities of distinctive equipments as may be required by other executive departments; and for service in Alaska, Porto Rico, Philippine Islands, Hawaii, or other island possessions.
Labor, equipment shops. For compensation to labor employed in the equipment shops at Washington, District of Columbia, $155,000. Star route transportation. For inland transportation by star routes (excepting service in Alaska), including temporary service to newly established offices, *Proviso.* Discontinued served by rural delivery.$8,675,000: *Provided,* That no part of this appropriation shall be expended for continuance of any star-route service the patronage of which shall be served entirely by the extension of rural delivery service, New routes restricted.nor shall any of said sum be expended for the establishment of new star-route service for a patronage which is already entirely served by rural delivery service.
Rural delivery, carriers, etc. For pay of rural carriers, substitutes for rural carriers on annual leave, clerks in charge of rural stations, and toils and ferriage, Rural Delivery Service, and for the incidental expenses thereof, $53,000,000: *Provisos.* Lake Winnipesaukee. Station clerks.*Provided,* That the maximum yearly salary of $1,800 shall hereafter be paid to the rural carrier on Lake Winnipesaukee, who furnishes his own equipment: *Provided,* That not to exceed $20,000 of the amount hereby appropriated may be used for the compensation of clerics in charge of rural stations.
Village delivery. For village delivery service in towns and villages having post offices of the second or third class, $500,000. Travel, etc. For travel and miscellaneous expenses in the Postal Service, office of the Fourth Assistant Postmaster General, $1,000. Appropriation from the Treasury to meet deficiencies. That if the revenues of the Post Office Department shall be insufficient to meet the appropriations made by this Act, a sum equal to such deficiency of the revenue 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 eighteen, and the sum needed may be advanced to the Post Office Department upon requisition of the Postmaster General.
Transportation contracts. Signing by an Assistant Postmaster General authorized. Sec. 2. Contracts made in the Post Office Department for the various classes of mail transportation may, upon order of the Postmaster General, be signed in the place and stead of the Postmaster General by the Assistant Postmaster General who is charged with the supervision of the mail transportation involved, and such officer shall attest his signature to such contracts by the seal of the Post Office Department. 1069 Sec. 3.
That to provide, during the fiscal year nineteen hundred Increased pay to employees receiving not over $1,000 a year.and eighteen, for increased compensation at the rate of fifteen per centum per annum to employees who receive salaries at a rate per annum of $480 or less, and for increased compensation at the rate of ten per centum per annum to employees who receive salaries at a rate of more than $480 per annum and not exceeding $1,000 per annum, so much as may be necessary is appropriated; *Provided,* *Provisos.* Applicable only to employees under this Act.
Reports, etc.That this section shah only apply to employees who are appropriated for in the Act specifically and under lump sums or whose employment is authorized herein: *Provided further,* That detailed reports shah be submitted to Congress on the first day of the next session showing the number of persons, the grades or character of positions, the original rates of compensation, and the increased rates of compensation provided for herein: *Provided further,* That the increases Classified service restriction.shall not apply to employees in the classified service now receiving salaries at the rate of $800 or more per annum.
Sec. 4. In order to promote economy in the distribution of supplies, Distribution districts for supplies. *Post,* p. 1110and in auditing and accounting, the Postmaster General may hereafter designate district and central offices in such districts through which supplies shall be distributed and accounts rendered. Sec. 5. That no letter, postal card, circular, newspaper, pamphlet, Intoxicating liquors. Advertisements of, not mailable to State or Territory in which unlawful. *Post,* p. 1202.or publication of any kind containing any advertisement of spirituous, vinous, malted, fermented, or other intoxicating liquors of any kind, or containing a solicitation of an order or orders for said liquors, or any of them, shall be deposited in or carried by the mails of the United States, or be delivered by any postmaster or letter carrier, when addressed or directed to any person, firm, corporation, or association, or other addressee, at any place or point in any State or Territory of the United States at which it is by the law in force in the State or Territory at that time unlawful to advertise or solicit orders for such liquors, or any of them, respectively.
If the publisher of any newspaper or other publication or the Punishment for violation.agent of such publisher, or if any dealer in such liquors or his agent, shall knowingly deposit or cause to be deposited, or shall knowingly send or cause to be sent, any tiling to be conveyed or delivered by mail in violation of the provisions of this section, or shall knowingly deliver or cause to be delivered by mail anything herein forbidden to be carried by mail, shall be fined not more than $1,000 or imprisoned not more than six months, or both; and for any subsequent offense shall be imprisoned not more than one year.
Any Venue of action.person violating any provision of this section may be tried and punished, either in the district in which the unlawful matter or publication was mailed or to which it was carried by mail for delivery, according to direction thereon, or in which it was caused to be delivered by mail to the person to whom it was addressed. Whoever Punishment for ordering, etc., shipment into State prohibiting sale.shall order, purchase, or cause intoxicating liquors to be transported in interstate commerce, except for scientific, sacramental, medicinal, and mechanical purposes, into any State or Territory the laws of which State or Territory prohibit the manufacture or sale therein of intoxicating liquors for beverage purposes shall be punished as aforesaid: *Provided,* That nothing herein shall authorize the shipment *Provisos.* No shipment contrary to State laws.
Bulletins naming prohibited States.of liquor into any State contrary to the laws of such State: *Provided further,* That the Postmaster General is hereby authorized and directed to make public from time to time in suitable bulletins or public notices the names of States in which it is unlawful to advertise or solicit orders for such liquors. Approved, March 3, 1917.