My question is, why? I think it will create more problems than it will solve.

The only way I can find is to use plugins to change the default rest to real rests, and then hide them. Total time, less than 15 seconds.

… I realize I can delete them from staff options, but It would be nice to be able to do it when creating the score to save time …

When you have created the score:

Plug-ins menu > Scoring and Arranging > Global Staff Attributes…

It only takes a few seconds to de-select the option {Display Rests in Empty Measures}.

thank you for your inputs.

The reason I want to delete the automatic rests is to create less noise on the score - like when you're writing on paper scores.

does anyone know what the standard is for classical music publishers?

Writing a score with a pencil uses blank manuscript paper which has no default rests in each bar. But when that score goes to a publisher to be engraved, then rests are put in empty bars per standard engraving practices.

When I receive a composer's score to engrave, the composer usually has added whole rests throughout. A score with blank measures simply looks unfinished to me.