10 v. 9. POST-OFFICE APPROPRIATION BILL, 1907. HEARINGS BEFORE SUBCOMMITTEE NO. 1 OF THE COMMITTEE ON THE 2469 put/ POST-OFFICE APPROPRIATION BILL 1907. COMMITTEE ON THE POST-OFFICE AND POST-ROADS, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Monday Morning, January 22, 1906. Subcommittee called to order at 10.30 a. m. STATEMENT OF HON. FRANK H. HITCHCOCK, FIRST ASSISTANT POSTMASTER-GENERAL. The CHAIRMAN (Hon. Jesse Overstreet). I suggest that the members of the subcommittee turn to page No. 7 of the skeleton bill. We will begin hearings of Mr. Hitchcock, the First Assistant PostmasterGeneral. The first item refers to the amount for pay of postmasters. Can you state to the committee whether you have any later data than appears in your report of the number of postmasters in the several grades? Your report gives the number to the 1st of July. Mr. HITCHCOCK. I recall that there were 159 fourth-class offices advanced to the Presidential grade on the 1st of January, but there has been a slight reduction in the number of fourth-class offices by discontinuance. Just how many I do not know. The CHAIRMAN. How do you arrive at the estimate of $24,500,000 as necessary for compensation to postmasters during the next fiscal year? Mr. HITCHCOCK. I would like to say about that item that since these estimates were prepared we have received the report of the Auditor covering the last fiscal year. That report became available on the 20th of October last, and it showed a larger unexpended balance than had been anticipated, and on the strength of that we are prepared to reduce our estimate by $500,000. The CHAIRMAN. To make your estimate $24,000,000 even? Mr. HITCHCOCK. You understand that when this estimate was submitted we did not have those final figures, and we wanted to be on the safe side. The CHAIRMAN. There will be no deficit, practically, in the compensation of postmasters for the current fiscal year? Mr. HITCHCOCK. I don't think so. We think there will be a large unexpended balance. The CHAIRMAN. Then you ask for an increase on your later information of $250,000 over the current appropriation? Mr. HITCHCOCK. Yes. 3 |