Chapter 117. Making appropriations for the service of the Post Office Department for the fiscal year ending June thirtieth, nineteen hundred and nineteen, and for other purposes
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CHAP. 117.— An Act Making appropriations for the service of the Post Office Department for the fiscal year ending June thirtieth, nineteen hundred and nineteen, and for other purposes.July 2, 1918.[[H. R. 12599](/us/bill/65/hr/12599).][[Public, No. 185](/us/pl/65/185).] *Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled*,Postal service appropriations.Vol. 5, p. 80. That the following sums be, 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:
Postmaster General. office of the postmaster general. Equipment shop building.Maintenance. For gas, electric power and light, and the repair of machinery, United States Post Office Department equipment shops building, $4,000. Post office inspectors. For salaries of post-office inspectors: For salaries of fifteen 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, including increases hereinafter provided, $968,100.
Per diem. For per diem allowance of inspectors in the field while actually traveling on official business away from their homes, their official domiciles, and their headquarters, at a rate to be fixed by the Postmaster *Provisos*.Temporary allowances.General, not to exceed $4 per day: *Provided*, That the Postmaster 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, $350,000.
Clerks at division headquarters. For compensation to clerks at division headquarters, fifteen, at $1,800 each; fifteen, at $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, including increases hereinafter provided, $154,100. Traveling, etc., expenses. For traveling expenses of inspectors without per diem allowance, 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. 743 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 of Rewards, etc.*Provisos*.Death of offender.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 $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.
For compensation of a special assistant to the Attorney General Special assistant to Attorney General in postal cases.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. For travel and miscellaneous expenses in the Postal Service, office Travel, etc.of the Postmaster General, $1,000. office of the first assistant postmaster general. First Assistant Postmaster General.
For compensation to postmasters, $35,000,000. Postmasters. For compensation to assistant postmasters at first and second class Assistant postmasters, first and second-class offices.post offices, five, at not exceeding $4,000 each; fifty, 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 seventy, at not exceeding $1,600 each; two hundred and fifteen, at not exceeding $1,500 each; one hundred and seventy-five, at not exceeding $1,400 each; three hundred and sixty, at not exceeding $1,300 each; six hundred, at not exceeding $1,200 each; five hundred and fifty, at not exceeding $1,100 each; three hundred and fifty, at not exceeding $1,000 each; one hundred and thirty, at not exceeding $900 each; seventy, at not exceeding $800 each; in all, including increases hereinafter provided, $4,075,000.
And the Appointments restricted.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. For compensation to clerks and employees at first and second class Employees, first and second-class offices.post offices: Superintendents of delivery, superintendents of mails, superintendents At $3,200.of money order, and superintendents of registry, ten, at not exceeding $3,200 each;
Auditors, and superintendents of mails, fifteen, at not exceeding At $3,000.$3,000 each; Assistant superintendents of mails, superintendents of delivery, At $2,700.and superintendents of mails, twenty-three, at not exceeding $2,700 each; Assistant superintendents of mails, cashiers, superintendents of At $2,600.delivery, and superintendents of mails, thirty, at not exceeding $2,600 each; Assistant superintendents of mails, cashiers, superintendents of At $2,500.delivery, superintendents of mails, and superintendents of stations, thirty-five, at not exceeding $2,500 each;
Assistant superintendents of delivery, assistant superintendents At $2,400.of mails, assistant superintendents of money order, assistant superintendents of registry, bookkeepers, cashiers, finance clerks, stenographers, superintendents of delivery, superintendents of mails, super744intendents of money order, and superintendents of registry, sixty, at not exceeding $2,400 each; At $2,200. Assistant superintendents of mails, bookkeepers, cashiers, chief mailing clerks, chief stamp clerks, finance clerks, superintendents of delivery, superintendents of mails, superintendents of money order, superintendents of registry, and superintendents of stations, seventy, at not exceeding $2,200 each;
At $2,000. Assistant cashiers, assistant superintendents of delivery, assistant superintendent of mails, assistant superintendents of money order, assistant superintendents of registry, bookkeepers, cashiers, examiners of stations, finance clerks, superintendents of carriers, superintendents 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 ninety, at not exceeding $2,000 each;
At $1,800. 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, 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 eighty, at not exceeding $1,800 each;
At $1,700. 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, 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 ninety, at not exceeding $1,700 each;
At $1,600. 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 clerics, 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, four hundred and twenty-five, at not exceeding $1,600 each;
At $1,500. 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, 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, ten hundred and fifty, at not exceeding $1,500 each;
At $1,400. 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 clerics, 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 745order, superintendents of registry, superintendents of second-class matter, and superintendents of stations, two thousand six hundred, at not exceeding $1,400 each;
Assistant cashiers, assistant superintendents of delivery, assistant At $1,300.superintendents of money order, assistant superintendents 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, superintendents of registry, superintendents of second-class matter, and superintendents of stations, seven thousand one hundred, at not exceeding $1,300 each;
Assistant cashiers, assistant superintendents of delivery, assistant At $1,200.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, eighteen thousand three hundred and sixty, at not exceeding $1,200 each;
Assistant superintendents of stations, clerks, stenographers, superintendents At $1,100.of carriers, superintendents of second-class matter, and superintendents of stations, seven thousand seven hundred, at not exceeding $1,100 each; Assistant superintendents of stations, clerks, clerks in charge of At $1,000.stations, stenographers, superintendents of carriers, and superintendents of second-class matter, two thousand five hundred, at not exceeding $1,000 each; Clerks, clerks in charge of stations, and stenographers, two thousand, At 900.at not exceeding $900 each;
Clerks and clerks in charge of stations, two thousand one hundred At 800.and sixty-nine, at not exceeding $800 each; Substitutes for clerks and employees absent without pay; Substitutes. And to provide for the promotion of eighty-five per centum of the Promotion of clerks provided for.First class offices.*Post*, p. 751.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 Second class offices.the $1,300 grade, and for the promotion of fifteen per centum of the designated “ special clerks” m the $1,300 grade to the designation of “special clerk” in 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 clerks in second-class post offices from the fifth to the sixth grade: *And provided further*, That there may also be employed at first-class *Provisos*.Foremen and stenographers.post offices foremen and stenographers at a salary of $ 1,300 or more per annum; in all, including increases hereinafter provided, $62,750,000. *Provided*, That hereafter the appointment and assignment of clerks Appointments restricted.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 Increase in clerks.*Post*, p. 751.Vol. 34, p. 1206.Aggregate number.post offices, he may hereafter exceed the number of clerks appropriated for for particular grades: *Provided*, That the number of clerks in the aggregate as herein authorized be not exceeded: *Provided further*, That hereafter when any employee in the Postal Service Overtime pay allowed in lieu of compensatory time.under the law is entitled to compensatory time for Sunday or holiday service, if he so elects, he may be paid for overtime in lieu thereof. 746 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, including increases hereinafter provided, $71,070. Watchmen, messengers, etc. For compensation to watchmen, messengers, and laborers, one thousand nine hundred and twenty-five, at $900 each; in all, including increases hereinafter provided, $1,989,500. Contract station clerks. For compensation to clerks in charge of contract stations, $1,180,000.
Temporary, auxiliary, and substitute clerks. For temporary and auxiliary clerk hire 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, $3,428,572. Separating mails. For separating mails at third and fourth class post offices, $730,000. Unusual conditions. For unusual conditions at post offices, $150,000. Third class offices. For allowances to third-class post offices to cover the cost of clerical services, $2,400,000. *Provisos*.Allowance for clerks. *Provided*, That hereafter no allowance in excess of $300 shall be made where 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.
Assistant postmasters. *And provided further*, That the Postmaster General may, in the disbursement 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. Rent, light, and fuel. For rent, light, and fuel for first, second, and third class post offices, $6,500,000. *Proviso*.Ten-year leases permitted hereafter. *Provided*, That hereafter 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, Limit, third class offices.to be paid quarterly for a term not exceeding ten years; and that there 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.
Miscellaneous items. For miscellaneous items necessary and incidental to post offices of the first and second classes, $400,000. City delivery.Carriers.Promotions.*Post*, p. 751. For pay of letter earners at offices already established, including 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 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 offices from the fifth to the sixth grade, City Delivery Service, $49,100,000.
Substitutes, etc. For pay of substitutes for letter carriers absent with pay, and of auxiliary and temporary letter carriers at offices where city delivery is already established, $4,685,715. Carriers, etc., new offices. For pay of letter carriers, substitute and auxiliary letter carriers at offices where city delivery service is established during the year, $94,000. Vehicle allowances. For vehicle allowance, the hiring of drivers, the rental of vehicles, and the purchase and exchange and maintenance, including stable Wagon service.and garage facilities, of wagons or automobiles for, and the operation of, screen-wagon and city delivery and collection services, *Provisos*.Allowance for fiscal year 1918.$6,700,000: *Provided*, That not to exceed $300,000 of the amount herein appropriated shall be available for the payment of this service during the fiscal year ending June thirtieth, nineteen hundred and Garage leases.eighteen: *Provided further*, That the Postmaster General may, in his 747disbursement 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, $2,700,000: *Provided*, That not to Messenger service.*Proviso*.Amount for fiscal year 1918.exceed $100,000 of the amount herein appropriated shall be available for the payment of this service during the fiscal year ending June thirtieth, nineteen hundred and eighteen. For car fare and bicycle allowance, $625,000 Car fare, etc. For street car collection service, $9,000. Street car collection. For Detroit River postal service, $7,250. Detroit River, For car fare for special-delivery messengers in emergency cases, Special delivery.Car fare.$13,000.
For fees to special-delivery messengers, $3,200,000. Fees. For travel and miscellaneous expenses in the Postal Service, office Travel, etc.of the First Assistant Postmaster General, $1,000. office of the second assistant postmaster general. Second Assistant Postmaster General. For inland transportation by star routes in Alaska, $430,000: Star Routes, Alaska.*Provided*, That out of this appropriation the Postmaster General *Proviso*.Emergency service.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.
For inland transportation by steamboat or other power-boat Steamboats, aeroplanes, etc.*Provisos*.Lake Winnepesaukee, N. H., contract.routes or by aeroplanes, $1,185,000: *Provided*, That the contract now in force for carrying the mail on Lake Winnepesaukee from the post office at Laconia, New Hampshire, shall be readjusted so that the yearly salary paid the carrier, who furnishes his own equipment, shall be $1,800 per annum: *Provided further*, That hereafter, when Carriage by freight or express if excessive rate asked, etc.there is no competition on a route and the rate of compensation asked is excessive, or no proposal is received, the Postmaster General may require that the mails he carried as freight or express, and it shall be unlawful for any common carrier by water to refuse to carry the mails when so required, and the penalty for such offense shall be a Penalty if vessel refuse.fine of $500.
Each day of refusal shall constitute a separate offense: *Provided further*, That out of this appropriation the Postmaster Amount for aeroplane service.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. For inland transportation by railroad routes, $60,645,000: Railroad routes.*Proviso*.Freight train conveyance. *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.
For pay of freight or expressage on postal cards, stamped envelopes, Freight on postal cards, etc.newspaper wrappers, and empty mail bags, $95,000. Railway Mail Service: For fifteen division superintendents, Railway Mail Service.Division superintendents, clerks, etc.*Post*, p. 751.at $3,250 each; two assistant superintendents, at $2,350 each; fifteen assistant division superintendents, at $2,250 each; one hundred and fifteen chief clerks, at not exceeding $2,100 each; four hundred and sixty-five clerks, grade ten, at not exceeding $1,800 each; two thousand and thirty-two clerks, grade nine, at not exceeding $1,700 each; three hundred and ninety-three clerks, grade eight, at not exceeding $1,600 each; eight thousand two hundred and ninety-nine clerks, grade seven, at not exceeding $1,500 each; one thousand and seventy-eight clerks, grade six, at not exceeding $1,400 each; one thousand seven hundred and eighty-eight clerks, grade five, at not exceeding $1,300 each; three thousand eight hundred and one clerks, grade four, at not exceeding $1,200 each; sixty-five clerks, grade three, at not exceeding $1,100 each; one thousand 748nine hundred and seventy-four clerks, grade two, at not exceeding $1,000 each; one thousand eight hundred and thirty-seven clerks, grade one, at not exceeding $900 each; in all, including increases *Provisos*.Full time credited when deadheading.Appointments, etc., restricted.hereinafter provided, $32,500,000: *Provided*, That railway postal clerks shall be credited with full time when deadheading under orders of the department, and the appointment and assignment of clerks here under 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 Aggregate limited.of clerks in such of the grades as may be necessary: *Provided*, That the number of regular clerks in the aggregate as herein authorized be not exceeded.
Travel allowances. For travel allowances 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, $1,613,959. Traveling expenses. For actual and necessary expenses, general superintendent and assistant general superintendent, division superintendents, assistant division superintendents, and chief 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, $48,000.
Miscellaneous. For rent, light, heat, fuel, telegraph, miscellaneous and office 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 Rent for terminal offices.of Columbia, and rental of space for terminal railway post offices for the distribution of mails when the furnishing of space for 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, $732,156.
Per diem, assistant superintendents. For per diem allowance of two assistant superintendents while actually traveling on official business away from their home, their official domicile, and their headquarters, at a rate to be fixed by the Postmaster General, not to exceed $4 per day, and for their necessary official expenses not covered by their per diem allowance, not exceeding $500; in all, $2,420. Electric and cable cars.*Provisos*.Rate of pay. For inland transportation of mail by electric and cable cars, $555,000: *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 cars and apartments carrying the mails not to exceed the rate of 1 cent per linear Outside of cities.foor per car-mile of travel: *Provided further*, That the rates for electric car service on routes over twenty miles in length outside of cities shall not exceed the rates paid for service on steam railroads:
Unusual conditions.*Provided, however*, That not to exceed $25,000 of the sum hereby appropriated may be expended, in the discretion of the Postmaster General, where unusual conditions exist or where such service will be more expeditious and efficient and at no greater cost than otherwise, Substitution of wagon service.and not to exceed $100,000 of this appropriation may be expended for regulation screen or motor screen wagon service which Rates, etc., to be fixed by Interstate Commerce Commission.may be authorized in lieu of electric or cable car service: *Provided further*, That the Interstate Commerce Commission is hereby empowered and directed as soon as practicable to fix and determine 749from time to time the fair and reasonable rates and compensation for the transportation of mail matter by urban and interurban electric railway common camera and the service connected therewith, prescribing the method or methods by weight or space, or both, or otherwise, for ascertaining such rate or compensation and to publish same, and orders so made and published shall continue in force until changed by the commission after due notice and hearing: *And provided further*, Penalty for refusing established rates.That it shall be unlawful for any urban or interurban electric railroad to refuse to perform mail service at the rates or methods of compensation thus provided for such service when required by the Postmaster General so to do, and for such offense shall be fined $100.
Each day of refusal shall constitute a separate offense. For transportation of foreign mails, $5,800,000: *Provided*, That Foreign mails.*Proviso*.Sea post service.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. For censorship of foreign mails, $1,620,000, of which amount Censoring foreign mall.*Provisos*.To cease at end of war.$200,000 shall be available immediately: *Provided*, That the authority under this appropriation shall cease to be in effect when the existing state of war shall have passed, the date of which shall be ascertained and proclaimed by the President: *And provided further*, Statements of appointments for, etc.That it shall be the duty of the Postmaster General to submit to Congress at the beginning of its regular session in December of each year a detailed statement of all persons appointed and the salary or compensation paid or allowed to each: *And provided further*, That Use forbidden of mail from American military forces, censored abroad.no part of this appropriation shall be expended to pay the expense of censoring mail from the military forces connected with the American Expeditionary Force, which mail has been censored in Europe.
For balances due foreign countries, $681,700. Balances to foreign countries. For travel and miscellaneous expenses in the Postal Service, office Travel, etc.of the Second Assistant Postmaster General, $1,000. office of the third assistant postmaster general. Third Assistant Postmaster General For manufacture of adhesive postage stamps, special-delivery Stamps.stamps, books of stamps, and for coiling of stamps, $1,100,000. For manufacture of stamped envelopes and newspaper wrappers, Stamped envelopes and wrappers.$3,000,000.
For pay of agent and assistants to examine and distribute stamped Distribution.envelopes and newspaper wrappers, and expenses of agency, $18,400. For manufacture of postal cards, $580,000. Postal cards. For ship, steamboat, and way letters, $150. Ship, etc., letters. For payment of limited indemnity for the injury or loss of pieces of Indemnity for lost registered, etc., mail.domestic registered matter, insured, and collect-on-delivery mail, $670,000. 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, office Travel, etc.of the Third Assistant Postmaster General, $1,000. For travel and miscellaneous expenses in the service of the Postal Travel, etc., Postal Savings System.Savings 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; the 750preparation, publication, and free distribution by postmasters to the Envelope inspector, etc.public of pamphlet containing general postal information; the pay of one envelope inspector at $1,800 per annum, and one assistant at Postal Savings supplies.$900 per annum; and also for the purchase of supplies for the Postal Savings System, including blank books, forms, pamphlets, rubber stamps, canceling devices, certificates and cards and stamps for use Bond expenses.Vol. 39, p. 817in evidencing 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, $725,000.
Postmarking, etc., stamps. For postmarking, rating, money-order stamps, and electrotype plates, and repairs to same, metal, rubber, and combination type, dates and figures, type holders, ink and pads for canceling and stamping Miscellaneous articles, letter scales, etc.purposes; and for the purchase, exchange, and repair of typewriting machines, 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, $275,000.
Twine, etc.*Proviso*.Tying devices. For wrapping twine and tying devices, $370,000: *Provided*, That of this amount the Postmaster General is authorized to expend not to exceed $30,000 for the purchase of and experiments with tying devices or cords for the Postal Service. Miscellaneous equipment and supplies.Carrier service, etc. For miscellaneous equipment and supplies, including the purchase and repair of furniture, letter boxes, package boxes, posts, trucks, baskets, satchels, straps, letter-box paint, baling machines, perforating machines, duplicating machines, printing presses, directories, cleaning supplies, and the manufacture, repair, and exchange of equipment, the erection, manufacture, repair, and painting of letter-box equipment, and for the purchase and repair of presses and dies for use in the manufacture of letter boxes; and other expenditures necessary and incidental to post offices of the first, second, and third classes, including offices of the fourth class having or to have rural-delivery service, $400,000.
Shipping supplies. For defraying expenses incident to the shipment of supplies, including hardware, boxing, packing, cartage, freight, and the pay of one carpenter, at $1,200 per annum, and nine requisition fillers, at $1,000 each per annum, for assignment in connection therewith, $193,900. Post route maps. For miscellaneous expenses in the preparation and publication of post-route maps and rural-delivery maps or blue prints, including tracing Sale, etc.for photolithographic reproduction, $20,000; and the Postmaster General may authorize the sale to the public of post-route 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 $1,500 may be expended in the purchase of atlases and geographical and technical works.
Canceling machines, etc. For rental, purchase, exchange, and repair of canceling machines and motors, mechanical mail-handling apparatus and other labor-saving devices, including cost of power in rented buildings, and miscellaneous expenses of installation and operation of same, $405,000: *Proviso*.Mail-distributing machines.*Provided*, That of this amount the Postmaster General is authorized to expend $100,000 for the installation of experimental mail-distributing machines. 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 for incidental expenses pertaining thereto; also material, machinery, and tools necessary for the manufacture and repair in the equipment shops at 751Washington, District of Columbia, of such other equipment for the Postal Service as may be deemed expedient, $1,000,000: *Provided*, *Proviso*.Distinctive equipment for departments, Alaska, and insular possessions.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.
For compensation to labor employed in the equipment shops at Labor, equipment shops.Washington, District of Columbia, $285,000. For inland transportation by star routes (excepting service in Star route transportation.Alaska), including temporary service to newly established offices, *Proviso*.Discontinued if served by rural delivery.$8,675,000: *Provided*, That hereafter 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, nor shall any of said sum be expended for Further restriction.star-route service for a patronage a major portion of which has been served by Rural Delivery Service, unless the services of a qualified rural carrier can not be secured.
For pay of rural carriers, substitutes for rural carriers on Rural delivery.Carriers, etc.annual leave, clerks in charge of rural stations, tolls and ferriage, Rural Delivery Service, and for the incidental expenses thereof, $65,800,000: *Provided*, That not to exceed $20,000 of the amount *Provisos*.Station clerks.hereby appropriated may be used for the compensation of clerks in charge of rural stations: *Provided further*, That on and after July first, Pay of horse routes, modified.Vol. 39, p. 423, amended.nineteen hundred and eighteen, rural carriers assigned to horse-drawn vehicle routes on which daily service is performed shall receive $24 per mile per annum for each mile said routes are in excess of twenty-four miles or major fraction thereof, based on actual mileage, and rural carriers assigned to horse-drawn vehicle routes on which triweekly service is performed shall receive $12 per mile per annum for each mile said routes are in excess of twenty-four miles or major fraction thereof based on actual mileage: *Provided further*, Motor vehicle carriers.That the pay of carriers who furnish and maintain their own motor vehicles and who serve routes not loss than fifty miles in length may be fixed at not exceeding $2,160 per annum.
For village delivery service in towns and villages having post Village delivery.offices of the second or third class, $720,000. For travel and miscellaneous expenses in the Postal Service, office Travel, etc.of the Fourth Assistant Postmaster General, $1,000. Sec. 2. That during the fiscal year ending June thirtieth, nineteen Pay increase for fiscal year 1919.Assistant postmasters and supervisory officials.hundred and nineteen, the annual salaries fixed by law for assistant postmasters at first and second class post offices, and supervisory officials, whose compensation is $2,200 and less per annum, shall be increased $200, and those whose compensation is in excess of $2,200 shall be increased five per centum; that clerks in first and second class Clerks and carriers, first and second class offices.post offices and letter carriers in the City Delivery Service shall be divided into six grades, as follows:
First grade, salary $1,000; second New grades.grade, salary $1,100; third grade, salary $1,200; fourth grade, salary Promotions.$1,300; fifth grade, salary $1,400; sixth grade, salary $1,500. Clerks and carriers shall be promoted successively to the sixth grade: *Provided*, *Provisos*.Automatic transfers July 1, 1918.That on July first, nineteen hundred and eighteen, clerks in first and second class post offices and letter carriers in the City Delivery Service who are in grades two, three, four, five, and six, Vol. 34, p. 1200.under the Act of March second, nineteen hundred and seven, as amended, shall pass automatically from such grades and the salaries they receive thereunder to the new grades, one, two, three, four, and five, respectively, with the salaries provided for such grades in this Railway mall clerks.Grades established.Act: *Provided further*, That the salaries of railway postal clerks shall be graded as follows:
Grade one at $1,100; grade two at $1,200; 752grade three at $1,300; grade four at $1,400; grade five at $1,500; grade six at $1,600; grade seven at $1,700; grade eight at $1,800; grade nine at $1,900; grade ten at $2,000. Classification of salaries and railway post offices. The Postmaster General shall classify and fix the salaries of railway postal clerks, under such regulations as he may prescribe, in the grades provided by law; and for the purpose of organization and establishing maximum grades to which promotions may be made successively, as hereinafter provided, he shall classify railway post offices, terminal railway post offices, and transfer offices with reference to their character and importance in three classes, with salary grades as follows:
Classes of offices. Class A, $1,100 to $1,400; class B, $1,100 to $1,500; and class C, Assignments of clerks and salaries.$1,100 to $1,700. He may assign to the offices of division superintendents and chief clerks such railway postal clerks as may be necessary, and fix their salaries within the grades provided by law without *Provisos*.Automatic transfer to new grades.regard to the classification of railway post offices: *Provided*, That on July first, nineteen hundred and eighteen, railway postal clerks shall Vol. 37, p. 555.pass automatically from the grades they are in and the salaries they receive under the Act of August twenty-fourth, nineteen hundred and twelve, to the corresponding grade, with salaries provided for Limited to fiscal year 1919.in this Act: *Provided*, That the classifications and increases of salaries provided for in this section shall not be continued beyond the fiscal year ending June thirtieth, nineteen hundred and nineteen: *Provided further*, Increases restricted.That the salary of clerks, carriers and railway postal clerks shall be increased during the fiscal year nineteen hundred and nineteen, Classifications effective July 1, 1918.not more than $200: *Provided further*, That the classifications herein provided for shall not become effective until July first, nineteen Increase for other employees.hundred and eighteen: *Provided further*, That the salaries of such other employees fixed by law or paid from lump-sum appropriations provided for in this Act, including laborers in the Railway Service, who receive $800 per annum or less shall be increased twenty per centum per annum; those who receive in excess of $800 and not more than $1,500 shall be increased fifteen per centum per annum; and those who receive in excess of $1,500 and not more than Rural carriers.On horse routes.$2,200 shall be increased ten per centum per annum.
Rural carriers assigned to horse-drawn vehicle routes now receiving a compensation of $1,200 or less per annum, exclusive of mileage allowance for miles on routes over twenty-four miles in length, shall receive, in addition thereto, twenty per centum of the amount of such compensation. Officials excluded.Such increases shall not apply to the special assistant to the Attorney General appropriated for in this Act and to postmasters at offices of Fourth class postmasters.Allowance for all cancellations.the first, second, and third classes: *Provided further*, That postmasters of the fourth class shall receive the same compensation as now provided by law, except that they shall receive one hundred per centum of the cancellations of the first $80 or less per quarter:
Increases allowed.*Provided further*, That, if the compensation does not exceed $50 for any one quarter, fourth-class postmasters shall be allowed an increase of twenty per centum of the compensation allowed under existing No office advanced.law: *Provided further*, That no office shall be advanced to third class Substitutes, etc., clerks and carriers.Pay established.by reason of the temporary increases herein provided: *Provided further*, That hereafter substitute, temporary, or auxiliary clerks and letter carriers at first and second class post offices shall be paid at Employees excluded from increases.the rate of 40 cents an hour: *Provided further*, That the provisions of this section shall not apply to employees who receive a part of their pay from any outside sources under cooperative arrangement with the Post Office Department, or to employees who serve voluntarily or receive only a nominal compensation: *And provided further*, That the increased compensation, at the rate of five per centum and ten Additional pay not computed as salary.per centum for the fiscal year ending June thirtieth, nineteen hundred and eighteen, shall not be computed as salary in construing this 753section.
So much as may be necessary for the increases provided Appropriation for increases.for in this Act is hereby appropriated. Sec. 3. That hereafter watchmen, messengers, and laborers in Eight hours a day.Work of designated employees restricted to.first and second class post offices, and railway postal clerks assigned to terminal railway post offices and transfer offices, shall be required to work not more than eight hours a day, and that the eight hours of service shall not extend over a longer period than ten consecutive hours, and that in cases of emergency or if the needs of the service Overtime pay for emergency excess.require they may be required to work in excess of eight hours a day, and for such additional services they shall be paid in proportion to *Proviso*.Compensatory time for Sunday, etc., work by railway mail clerks.their salaries as fixed by law: *Provided*, That hereafter when the needs of the Postal Service require the employment on Sundays and holidays of railway postal clerks assigned to terminal railway post offices and transfer offices, they shall be granted compensatory time in the same manner as provided by law for clerks and carriers in first and second class offices.
Sec. 4. That the Postmaster General is authorized to investigate Contracts for vehicle service, envelopes, etc., prior to June 30, 1917.Investigation and adjustment of, authorized.conditions arising from contracts in the star route, screen wagon and other vehicle service entered into prior to June thirtieth, nineteen hundred and seventeen, and from contracts for furnishing envelopes, blanks and blank books, and the Official Postal Guide, for contracts entered into prior to June thirtieth, nineteen hundred and seventeen, with a view to determining whether any adjustment should be made in the compensation and to adjust the same for materials or services hereafter to be furnished or rendered in cases where the facts disclose the necessity for such adjustment, or, in his discretion, with the consent Cancellation by mutual assent.of the contractor and his bondsmen, the Postmaster General may cancel such contracts.
Sec. 5. That the provisions of section three of the Act of March Requisition fillers, watchmen, etc., to have ten percent increase in 1918.Vol. 39, p. 1069.third, nineteen hundred and seventeen, entitled “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,” providing increased compensation at the rate of ten per centum per annum to employees who receive salaries at a rate of more than $480 and not exceeding $1,000 per annum, shall apply during the fiscal year nineteen hundred and eighteen to all requisition fillers, watchmen, messengers, and laborers.
Sec. 6. The Postmaster General may, under such rules and regulations Liberty bonds.Acceptance of, authorized in lieu of other sureties.as he shall prescribe, accept United States liberty loan bonds in lieu of either corporate or personal surety from contractors, officers, and employees of the Postal Service to indemnify the Government against losses resulting from the failure of any contractor, officer, or employee of the Postal Service to properly discharge his official duty.
Sec. 7. That to promote the conservation of food products and to Motor-vehicle truck routes.Experimental operation of, near cities, for food products.facilitate the collection and delivery thereof from producer to consumer, and the delivery of articles necessary in the production of such food products to the producers, the Postmaster General is hereby authorized to conduct experiments in the operation of motor-vehicle truck routes in the vicinity of such cities of the United States as he may select, and under such rules and regulations as he may prescribe, and the cost of such experiments, not exceeding $300,000, may be paid by the Postmaster General out of any unexpended appropriations of the Postal Service, and the Postmaster General shall report the Report of results.result of such experiments to the Congress at the earliest practicable date.
Sec. 8. That the Secretary of War may, in his discretion, deliver Aeroplanes and auto mobiles.Delivery of, for mail service, from War Department, if unsuitable for its purposes.and turn over to the Postmaster General from time to time, and without charge therefor, for use in the Postal Service, such aeroplanes and automobiles or parts thereof as may prove to be, or as shall become, unsuitable for the purposes of the War Department but suitable for 754Payment from specified appropriations.the use of the Postal Service; and the Postmaster General is hereby authorized to use the same, in his discretion, in the transportation of the mails and to pay the necessary expenses thereof out of the appropriation for inland transportation by steamboat or other power boat or by aeroplanes or star route.
Sec. 9. Employees in Army, etc., service during the war.Reassignment to duties, etc., when discharged. Employees, including substitute employees, of the Postal Service who have entered the military or naval service of the United States or who shall hereafter enter it during the existence of the present war, shall, when honorably discharged from such service, be reassigned to their duties in the Postal Service at the salary to which they would have been automatically promoted had they remained in the Postal Service, provided they are physically and mentally qualified to perform the duties of such positions.
Sec. 10. Claims of postmasters for losses.War savings, thrift stamps, etc., included. That the Act approved January twenty-first, nineteen hundred and fourteen (Thirty-eighth Statutes, page two hundred and seventy-eight), authorizing the Postmaster General to adjust certain claims of postmasters for loss by burglary, fire, or other unavoidable Vol. 38, p. 278, amended.casualty, be so amended as to include United States War Savings Certificate Stamps, United States Government Thrift Stamps, war tax revenue stamps, and funds received from the sale of such stamps: *Proviso*.Time limit.*Provided*, That this Act shall not embrace any claim for losses as aforesaid which accrued prior to September twenty-fourth, nineteen hundred and seventeen, and all such claims must be presented within six months from the time the loss occurred.
Sec. 11. Enlistments in Army and Navy.Recruiting allowance to postmasters repealed.Vol. 39, pp. 186, 560. The provision of the Act of June third, nineteen hundred and sixteen, an Act for making further and more effectual provision for the national defense and for other purposes, and the Act of August twenty-ninth, nineteen hundred and sixteen, an Act making appropriations for the naval service for the fiscal year ending June thirtieth, nineteen hundred and seventeen, and for other purposes, authorizing the payment of $5 to postmasters at second, third, and fourth class offices for each recruit secured by them and accepted by the Army, Navy, and Marine Corps, is hereby repealed.
Sec. 12. Postal-savings deposits.Permissible amount extended, etc.Vol. 36, p. 816; Vol. 39, p. 159. That hereafter the balance to the credit of any one person in a postal-savings depository, exclusive of accumulated interest, shall not exceed $2,500. Non-interest paying deposits shall not be accepted. All laws inconsistent herewith are hereby repealed. Sec. 13. Postal-savings stamps.Vol. 36, p. 815, amended. That section six of the Act approved June twenty-fifth, nineteen hundred and ten, is hereby further amended so that the proviso in said section shall read as follows:
" Issue of 10-cent adhesive stamps authorized. “Provided, That in order that smaller amounts may be accumulated for deposit, any person may purchase for 10 cents, from any postal-savings depository, specially prepared adhesive stamps to be known as ‘postal-savings stamps,’ and attach them to a card which Card to be printed.shall be furnished for the purpose. A card with ten postal-savings Accepted for opening account or redemption.stamps affixed shall be accepted as a deposit of $1 either in opening an account or in adding to an existing account, or may be redeemed in cash.”" Sec. 14.
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 nineteen, and the sum needed may be advanced to the Post Office Department upon requisition of the Postmaster General.
Approved, July 2, 1918.