Chapter 161. Making appropriations for the service of the Post Office Department for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1921, and for other purposes

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CHAP. 161.— An Act Making appropriations for the service of the Post Office Department for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1921, and for other purposes. April 24, 1920. [[H. R. 11578](/us/bill/66/hr/11578).] [[Public, No. 187](/us/pl/66/187).] *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. 81.*Post*, p. 1045. 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 2, 1836, as follows:

Postmaster General.office of the postmaster general. Equipment shops building.Maintenance.For gas, electric power and light, and the repair of machinery, United States Post Office Department equipment shops building, $5,500. 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 seventy-eight inspectors, at $1,500 each; in all, including increases hereinafter provided, $931,500., 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 allowance.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 Limit.governing the foregoing provisions relating to per diem: *And provided further*, 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, $363,500.

Clerks, 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 twenty-five, at $900 each; in all, including increases hereinafter provided, $184,825. 575 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, $91,000.

For necessary miscellaneous expenses at division headquarters,Miscellaneous. $7,500. For payment of rewards for the detection, arrest, and convictionRewards, 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*, That of the amount herein appropriated not to exceed $5,000 may beSecuring information. 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 toSpecial assistant to Attorney General in postal cases. 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 the purchase of that tract of land adjoining the Post OfficeAdditional land, Equipment Shops.*Post*, p. 623. Department Mail Equipment Shops Building in the City of Washington, D. C., on which the Post Office Department now holds an option, the sum of $25,700 is hereby appropriated out of any money in theFrom the Treasury.

Treasury not otherwise appropriated, to be available immediately. For travel and miscellaneous expenses in the Postal Service, officeTravel, etc. of the Postmaster General, $1,000. office of the first assistant postmaster general.First Assistant Postmaster General. For compensation to postmasters, including increases hereinafterPostmasters.*Proviso*.Acting postmaster for vacancies. provided, $40,300,000: *Provided*, That whenever the office of a postmaster becomes vacant through death, resignation, or removal, the Postmaster General shall designate some person to act as postmaster until a regular appointment can be made by the President, and the Postmaster General shall notify the Auditor for the Post Office Department of the change.

The postmaster so appointed shall beBond, etc. responsible under his bond for the safekeeping of the public property of the post office and the performance of the duties thereof until a regular postmaster has been duly appointed and qualified and has taken possession of the office. Whenever a vacancy occurs from anyRegular appointment to be promptly made. cause, the appointment of a regular postmaster shall be made without unnecessary delay. For compensation to assistant postmasters at first and second classAssistant postmasters, first and second class offices. post offices, five, at not exceeding $4,000 each; sixty-five, at not exceeding $3,000 each; fifteen, at not exceeding $2,500 each; ten, at not exceeding $2,000 each; twenty, at not exceeding $1,900 each; seventy, at not exceeding $1,800 each; two hundred, at not exceeding $1,700 each; two hundred and fifty, at not exceeding $1,600 each; two hundred and fifty, at not exceeding $1,500 each; two hundred and fifteen, at not exceeding $1,400 each; four hundred, at not exceeding $1,300 each; six hundred and fifty, at not exceeding $1,200 each; six hundred, at not exceeding $1,100 each; three hundred and fifty, at not exceeding $1,000 each; fifty, at not exceeding $900 each; fifty, at not exceeding $800 each; in all, including increases herein-576Appointment etc. restricted.after provided, $5,672,125.

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 mails, twenty at not exceeding $3,000 each;

At $2,700.Assistant superintendents of mails, superintendents of delivery, and superintendents of mails, thirty-five at not exceeding $2,700 each; At $2,600.Assistant superintendents of mails, cashiers, superintendents of delivery, and superintendents of mails, forty-five at not exceeding $2,600 each; At $2,500.Assistant superintendents of mails, cashiers, superintendents of delivery, superintendents of mails, and superintendents of stations, fifty 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, one hundred and fifty, 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, two hundred, at not exceeding $2,200 each;

At $2,000Assistant 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, 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, four hundred, 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, three thousand three hundred, 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, three hundred, 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 clerks, chief stamp clerks, examiners of stations, finance clerks, foremen of crews, stenographers, superintendents of carriers, superintendents of delivery,577superintendents of mails, superintendents of money order, superintendents of registry, superintendents of second-class matter, and superintendents of stations, four thousand seven hundred, at not exceeding $1,600 each;

Assistant cashiers, assistant superintendents of delivery, assistantAt $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, one thousand two hundred and forty, at not exceeding $1,500 each;

Assistant cashiers, assistant superintendents of delivery, assistantAt $1,400. superintendents 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, four thousand, at not exceeding $1,400 each;

Assistant cashiers, assistant superintendents of delivery, assistantAt $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, nine thousand, at not exceeding $1,300 each;

Assistant cashiers, assistant superintendents of delivery, assistantAt $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, nineteen thousand, at not exceeding $1,200 each; Assistant superintendents of stations, clerks, stenographers, superintendentsAt $1,100. of carriers, superintendents of second-class matter, and superintendents of stations, four thousand one hundred, at not exceeding $1,100 each;

Assistant superintendents of stations, clerks, clerks in charge ofAt $1,000. stations, stenographers, superintendents of carriers, and superintendents of second-class matter, two thousand, 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, one thousand one hundredAt $800. and fifty-seven, at not exceeding $800 each; Substitutes for clerks and employees absent without pay: *Provided*,Substitutes.*Provisos*.Foremen and stenographers.

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, including increases hereinafter provided, $84,500,000: *Provided*, That hereafter the appointment and assignment of clerks hereunderAppointment, etc., restricted. shall be so made during each fiscal year as not to involve a greater aggregate expenditure than the sum appropriated; and to enable thePermissive increase in grades. Postmaster General to carry out the provisions of this Act, he may578hereafter exceed the number of clerks appropriated for for particular grades.

Printers, mechanics, etc.For compensation to printers, mechanics, and skilled laborers, twenty-two at $1,200 each; four, at $1,100 each; thirty-one, at $1,000 each; in all, including increases hereinafter provided, $81,200. Watchmen, messengers, etc.For compensation to watchmen, messengers, and laborers, two thousand six hundred and twenty-five, at $900 each; in all, including increases hereinafter provided, $3,241,875. Contract station clerks.For compensation to clerks in charge of contract stations, $1,350,000.

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, including increases hereinafter provided, $9,750,000. Separating mails.For separating mails at third and fourth class post offices, $775,000. Unusual conditions.*Provisos*.Discretionary advancing of fourth class offices.For unusual conditions at post offices, including increases hereinafter provided, $250,000: *Provided*, That wherever unusual conditions prevail, the Postmaster General, in his discretion, may advance any post office from the fourth class to the appropriate presidential class indicated by the receipts of the preceding quarter, Vol. 39, pp. 163, 418.notwithstanding section 16 of the Act approved May 18, 1916, as amended, which requires the compensation of fourth-class postmasters to reach $1,000 for four consecutive quarters, exclusive of commissions on money order business, and that the receipts of such post office for the same period shall aggregate as much as $1,900, Reduction if receipts decrease.before such advancement is made: *Provided further*, That in cases where the Postmaster General has exercised the authority herein granted, he shall, wherever the receipts are no longer sufficient to justify retaining such post office in the presidential class to which it has been advanced, reduce the grade of such office to the appropriate class indicated by its receipts for the last preceding quarter.

Clerks, third class offices.For allowances to third-class post offices to cover the cost of clerical services, $3,700,000. Rent, light, and fuel.*Provisos*.Leases for 20 years allowed.For rent, light, and fuel for first, second, and third class post offices, $8,000,000: *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, to be paid quarterly for a term not exceeding twenty Former limitation repealed.Vol. 40, p. 746, repealed.years: *Provided further*, That that part of the Act of July 2, 1918, providing 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, is hereby repealed.

Miscellaneous, first and second class offices.For miscellaneous items necessary and incidental to post offices of the first and second classes, $700,000. City Delivery.Carriers.For pay of letter carriers at offices already established, including substitutes for letter carriers absent without pay, City Delivery Service, including increases hereinafter provided, $60,000,000. 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, including increases hereinafter provided, $9,000,000.

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, including increases hereinafter provided, $130,000. Vehicle allowance.For 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, $10,250,000: *Proviso*.Garage leases.*Provided*, That the Postmaster General may, in his disbursement of579this 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, $4,000,000.Messenger service. For car fare and bicycle allowance, $975,000.Car fare, etc. For street car collection service, $9,000.Street car collection. For Detroit River postal service, $14,400.Detroit River. For car fare for special-delivery messengers in emergency cases,Special delivery. $15,000. For fees to special-delivery messengers, $5,000,000: *Provided*,*Proviso*.Delivery without receipt authorized. That the Postmaster General may, under such rules and regulations as he shall prescribe, deliver special-delivery matter without obtaining a receipt therefor.

For travel and miscellaneous expenses in the Postal Service, officeTravel, 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, includingStar routes, Alaska.*Proviso*.Emergency service. increases hereinafter provided, $255,000: *Provided*, That out of this appropriation the Postmaster General is authorized to provide difficult or emergency mail service in Alaska, including the establishment and equipment of relay stations, in such manner as he may think advisable, without advertising therefor.

For inland transportation by steamboat or other power-boatSteam or power boat routes. routes, including increases hereinafter provided, $1,185,000. For inland transportation by railroad routes, including increasesRailroad routes.*Provisos*.Freight train conveyance. hereinafter provided, $59,886,822: *Provided*, That not to exceed $1,250,000 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: *Provided further*,Aeroplane service.Conditional contracts for, authorized.

That the Postmaster General may contract with any individual, firm, or corporation for an aeroplane mail service between such points as he may deem advisable and designate, in case such service is furnished at a cost not greater than the cost of the same service by rail, and shall pay therefor out of the appropriation for inland transportation by railroad routes. For pay of freight or expressage on postal cards, stamped envelopes,Freight on postal cards, etc. newspaper wrappers, and empty mail bags, $100,000.

For the purchase of such aeroplanes as maybe necessary to establish,Aeroplane service, New York to San Francisco. operate, and maintain an aeroplane mail service between New York, New York, and San Francisco, California, via Chicago, Illinois, and Omaha, Nebraska; for the operation and maintenance of such aeroplanes,Expense of establishing, operating, etc. including stations, equipment, tools and machinery, and other necessary incidental expenses; and for such personnel as may be necessary therefor, $1,250,000.

Railway Mail Service: For fifteen division superintendents, atRailway Mail Service.Division Superintendents, clerks, etc. $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; two thousand three hundred and forty-four clerks, grade ten, at not exceeding $1,800 each; four hundred and thirty-nine clerks, grade nine, at not exceeding $1,700 each; seven thousand and seventy-eight clerks, grade eight, at not exceeding $1,600 each; one thousand three hundred clerks, grade seven, at not exceeding $1,500 each; two thousand seven hundred and forty-four clerks, grade six, at not exceeding $1,400 each; two thousand five hundred and ninety clerks, grade five, at not exceeding $1,300 each; one hundred and sixteen clerks, grade four, at not exceeding $1,200 each; two thousand two hundred and eleven clerks, grade three, at not exceeding $1,100 each; nine hundred and one clerks, grade two, at not exceeding $1,000 each; two thousand580three hundred and fifty-three clerks, grade one, at not exceeding $900 each; in all, including increases hereinafter provided, $37,109,275: *Provisos*.Full time credit when deadheading.Appointments, etc., restricted.*Provided*, That hereafter railway postal clerks and substitute railway postal clerks, shall be credited with full 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 further*, That the number of regular clerks in the aggregate as herein authorized be not exceeded.

Aggregate limited.For travel allowances to railway postal clerks and substitute railway postal clerks, $2,689,931. Travel allowances.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, $55,297.

Traveling, etc., expenses.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, Miscellaneous.District 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 Rent, etc., for terminal offices.incidental to terminal railway post offices, $1,032,156: *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 terminal railway post offices at a reasonable annual rental, to be paid quarterly, for a term not exceeding twenty years. *Proviso*.Leases for 20 years allowed.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 $700; in all, $3,244.

Per diem, etc., two assistant superintendents.For inland transportation of mail by electric and cable cars, $545,000: *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 Electric and cable ears.*Provisos*.Rate of pay.per linear foot 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 Outside of cities.railroads: *Provided further*, 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. 581 For transportation of foreign mails by steamship, aircraft orUnusual conditions. otherwise, including increases hereinafter provided, $4,700,000: *Provided*, That not to exceed $100,000 of this sum shall be expendedForeign mails. for carrying foreign mail by aircraft.

For balances due foreign countries, $681,700.*Proviso*.Aircraft allowance. For travel and miscellaneous expenses in the Postal Service, officeBalances to foreign countries.Travel, etc. of the Second Assistant Postmaster General, $1,000. office of the third assistant postmaster general.Third AssistantPostmaster General. For manufacture of adhesive postage stamps, special-deliveryStamps. stamps, books of stamps, and for coiling of stamps, $1,470,000. For manufacture of stamped envelopes and newspaper wrappers,Stamped envelopes and wrappers. $2,940,000.

For pay of agent and assistants to examine and distribute stampedDistribution. envelopes and newspaper wrappers, and expenses of agency, including increases hereinafter provided, $19,875. For manufacture of postal cards, $765,000.Postal cards. For ship, steamboat, and way letters, $150.Ship, etc., letters. For payment of limited indemnity for the injury or loss of pieces ofIndemnity, lost registered, etc., mail. domestic registered matter, insured, and collect-on-delivery mail, $3,000,000: *Provided*, That hereafter the Postmaster General may,*Proviso*.Payment by postmasters. under such rules and regulations as he shall prescribe, authorize postmasters to pay limited indemnity claims on insured and collect-on-delivery mail.

For payment of limited indemnity for the loss of registered articlesInternational mail. in the international mails, in accordance with convention stipulations, $10,000. For travel and miscellaneous expenses in the Postal Service, officeTravel, etc. of the Third Assistant Postmaster General, $1,000. For travel and miscellaneous expenses in the service of the PostalPostal 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 preparation, publication, and free distribution by postmasters to the public of pamphlet containing general postal information; the pay of one assistant envelope inspector at $900 per annum; and also for the purchase of supplies for the Postal Savings System, includingPostal Savings supplies. blank books, forms, pamphlets, rubber stamps, canceling devices, certificates, envelopes and stamps for use in evidencing deposits, andBond expenses. free penalty envelopes; and for the reimbursement of the Secretary of the Treasury for expenses incident to the preparation, issue, andVol. 36, p. 817. registration of the bonds authorized by the Act of June 25, 1910, $1,020,000.

For miscellaneous equipment and supplies, including the purchaseMiscellaneous equipment and supplies. and repair of furniture, 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; for postmarking, rating, money-order stamps,Postmarking, etc., stamps. and electrotype plates and repairs to same, metal, rubber, and combination type, dates and figures, typeholders, ink pads for canceling and stamping purposes, and for the purchase, exchange, and repair, of typewriting machines, envelope-opening machines, and computing machines, copying presses, numbering machines, time recorders,582letter balances, scales, test weights, and miscellaneous articles purchased Post route, etc., maps.and furnished directly to the Postal Service; for miscellaneous expenses in the preparation and publication of post-route maps and rural-delivery maps or blue prints, including tracing for photolithographic reproduction; for other expenditures necessary and incidental to post offices of the first, second, and third classes, and offices of the fourth class having or to have rural delivery service, *Proviso*.Sale, etc., of maps.and for letter boxes, $837,090: *Provided*, That 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 10 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.

Twine, etc.For wrapping twine and tying devices, $598,000. Shipping supplies.For defraying expenses incident to the shipment of supplies, including hardware, boxing, packing, cartage, freight, and the pay of one foreman at $1,400 per annum, ten requisition fillers, at $1,000 each per annum, and nine packers, at $1,000 each per annum, for assignment in connection therewith, including increases hereinafter provided, $270,000. Canceling machines, labor-saving devices, etc.For rental, purchase, exchange, and repair of canceling machines and motors, mechanical mail-handling apparatus, and other laborsaving devices, including cost of power in rented buildings, and miscellaneous expenses oi installation and operation of same, including Traveling mechanicians.salaries of five traveling mechanicians and for per diem allowance of traveling mechanicians while actually traveling on official business away from their homes and their official domiciles at a rate to be fixed by the Postmaster General, not to exceed $4 per day, $392,115.

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 Equipment shops.thereto; also material, machinery, and tools necessary for the manufacture and repair in the equipment shops at Washington, Material, etc.Labor.District of Columbia, of such other equipment for the Postal Service as may be deemed expedient; for compensation to labor employed in the equipment shops at Washington, District of Columbia, including increases hereinafter provided, $2,090,000, of which $500,000 *Proviso*.Distinctive equipments for executive departments, Alaska, and insular service.shall be available immediately: *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.

Star route transportation.For inland transportation by star routes (excepting service in Alaska), including temporary service to newly established offices, $11,000,000. Rural delivery.Carriers, etc.For pay of rural carriers, substitutes for rural carriers on annual leave, clerks in charge of rural stations, and tolls and ferriage, Rural Delivery Service, and for the incidental expenses thereof, including *Proviso*.Determination of route lengths.increases hereinafter provided, $78,000,000: *Provided*, That hereafter the pay of rural carriers and substitute rural carriers, which depends upon the length of the route, shall be determined in accordance with the records of the Post Office Department, which records shall be promptly corrected whenever the Postmaster General determines that such records are not correct.

Village delivery.For village delivery service in towns and villages having post offices of the second or third class, and in communities adjacent to583cities having city delivery, including increases hereinafter provided, $1,300,000. For travel and miscellaneous expenses in the Postal Service, officeTravel, etc. of the Fourth Assistant Postmaster General, $1,000. Sec. 2. That the increased compensation for positions in the PostalExisting pay, classifications, etc., continued during fiscal year, 1921.Vol. 40, p. 1198.*Ante*, p. 350.

Service of all classes and grades made and provided for in the Act entitled “An Act making appropriations for the Post Office Department for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1920,” approved February 28, 1919, and House joint resolution of November 8, 1919, entitled “Joint*Post*, p. 1053. resolution to provide for additional compensation for employees of the Postal Service and making appropriations therefor,” and the provisions of such Act and resolution relating to promotions, classification, and grades specified in said Act and resolution shall continue in force during the fiscal year 1921, unless otherwise provided by law.

Sec. 3. That the Secretary of War is authorized hereafter, in hisArmy motor vehicles, aeroplanes, etc.Delivery free to postal service. discretion, to deliver and turn over to the Postmaster General, without charge therefor, from time to time, such motor vehicles, aeroplanes, and parts thereof, and machinery and tools to repair and maintain the same, as may be suitable for use in the Postal Service;Use, etc., authorized. and the Postmaster General is authorized to use the same in the transportation of the mails and to pay the necessary expenses thereof, including the replacement, maintenance, exchange, and repair of such equipment, out of any appropriation available for the service in which such vehicles or aeroplanes are used.

Sec. 4. That section 3936, Revised Statutes of the United States,Dead letters. is hereby amended to read as follows: " “Sec. 3936. The Postmaster General may regulate the periodReturn of undelivered letters.[R. S., sec. 3936, p. 764, amended](/us/rs/s3936/p764). during which undelivered letters shall remain in any post office and when they shall be returned to the dead-letter office; and he may make regulations for their return from the dead-letter office to the writers when they can not be delivered to the parties addressed: *Provided*, That when letters are returned from the dead-letter office*Proviso*.Fee for return to writer. to the writers, a fee of 3 cents shall be collected at the time of delivery, under such rules and regulations as the Postmaster General may prescribe.

” " Sec. 5. That the Postmaster General, under such regulations as heFirst class mail.Acceptance of prepaid matter without stamps. may prescribe for the collection of such postage, is hereby authorized to accept for delivery and deliver, without postage stamps affixed thereto, mail matter of the first class on which the postage has been fully prepaid at the rate provided by law. Sec. 6 (a). That a commission is hereby created to be composed ofPostal Commission created.Composition. the chairman and four members of the Committee on Post Offices and Post Roads of the Senate, appointed by the President of the Senate, the chairman and four members of the Committee on the Post Office and Post Roads of the House of Representatives, appointed by the Speaker of the House, and a postal expert appointed by the Postmaster General.

Such commission shall, by majorityAdvisory council. vote, appoint seven persons who are experienced in business or commercial transactions, or represent business or commercial organizations which make extensive use of the Postal Service, to act as an advisory council and to aid such commission in its work. Vacancies occurring in the commission or in such advisory council shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointments. No member ofNo pay. such advisory council shall receive any compensation for his services.

The commission may employ and fix the compensation of suchEmployees authorized. engineers, special experts, clerks, and other employees as it may deem necessary: *Provided*, That each executive department and independent*Proviso*.Assistance from departments, etc., directed establishment of the Government is hereby directed to furnish to the commission such engineers, special experts, clerks, and other employees as the commission may require, whenever, in the opinion of the head of such department or independent establishment, the public business thereof will not be materially affected thereby. 584

(b)Expenses allowed. The expenses of the commission and of the advisory council, including all necessary traveling expenses incurred by a member of the commission, a member of the advisory council, an engineer, special expert, clerk, or employee, under orders of the commission, in making any investigation or upon official business in other places Accounting.than the place of his residence, shall be allowed and paid upon the presentation of itemized vouchers therefor, approved by the chairman of the commission, which approval shall be conclusive upon the accounting officers of the Treasury Department.

(c)Investigations specified. The commission shall investigate all present and prospective methods and systems of handling, dispatching, transporting, and delivering the mails and the facilities therefor; and especially all methods and systems which relate to the handling, delivery and dispatching of the mails in the large cities of the United States. Report of findings and recommendations.On or before March 1, 1921, the commission shall make a report to Congress containing a summary of its findings and such recommendations for legislation as it may believe to be proper.

(d)Authority to obtain evidence. For the purposes of this section, the commission shall have power to summon and compel the attendance of witnesses and the production of documentary evidence, and to administer oaths.

(e)Information to be furnished from departments, etc. The executive departments and independent establishments of the Government, when directed by the President, shall furnish the commission, on its request, all records, papers and information in their possession relating to any subject of investigation by the commission.

(f)Appropriation from the Treasury until June 30, 1920. The sum of $10,000, or so much thereof as may be necessary, is hereby appropriated, out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, to be available immediately and until July 1, 1920; Afterwards from postal revenues.and the unexpended balance on June 30, 1920, of any appropriation for the service of the Post Office Department for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1920, or so much thereof as may be necessary, is hereby appropriated, to be available after June 30, 1920, for the purposes of this section. Sec. 7. Army tractors.Loan to States for highways construction, authorized.*Ante*, p. 530.*Post*, pp. 1155, 1349. That the Secretary of War be, and he is hereby, authorized and empowered, at his discretion, and under such rules and regulations as he may prescribe, to loan to any State of the Union, when so requested by the highway department of the State, such tractors as are retained and not distributed under the act approved March 15, 1920, for use in highway construction by the highway department *Proviso*.Expenses to be paid by States.of such State: *Provided*, That all expenses for repairs and upkeep of tractors so loaned and the expenses of loading and freight shall be paid by the State, both in transfer to the State and the return to the Army. Sec. 8. 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 30, 1921, and the sum needed may be advanced to the Post Office Department upon requisition of the Postmaster General. Approved, April 24, 1920.