The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1874-01-22
The Postmaster Generals Projects.


81 Mr.. Creswell, who seems to be about the
only man who has any faith in his schemes of
postal telegraph and postal savings bank,
informs Congress that he proposes, if that
body will give him the authority, to begin the
establishment of postal banking in 208
first class offices, requiring 140 men addi-
tional to the number now required by the
postal service, who would be able to carry on
the entire business. Should it be deemed adj
visable to extend the system to The whole of
the 5000 money order offices, Mr.. Creswell
estimates that 308 men would be required and
in no case over 400. In respect to the postal
telegraph system, the Postmaster General
estimates that 1900 men would be necessary
to transmit 80, OoO, 900 messages year, which
isdouble the business of all the lines in the
United States in 1872 and double that of the
Western Union last year.
1t is Of little consequence whether Mr..
CreswelPs estimates are accurate or other
wise, for, unless there is decided change in
the Congressional mind, there is not the least
possibility that either of this pair of theories
will be tested by application. The people
would gladly second any practical measure
that would result in cheaper tariffs on tele-
graph lines; but the more intelligent men in
vestigate the theory of government purchase
and control, the less inclined are they to at
tempt to secure cheap telegraphy by this
method. Later reports from the govern
ments Of Europe which have assumed the con-
troll of the telegraph, do not afford encour-
agement for the adoption of the system in
this country. If there were no telegraphs
and the system was to be inaugurated, it
would be somewhat different, but starting
with lines all over the country, owned by cor
porations, the purchase and subsequent man
agement is beset with difficulties which no
mere theory can contemplate.
Foreseeing that the theory would be met
with objections on the ground of expense,
Mr.. Cresswell has now added to the postal
telegraph theory, the still more doubtful one
of postal savings banks. by which he expects
to secure the means of purchasing the exist
Ing lines in the country, expecting that the
revenues of the lines so purchased will pay
current expenses and the interest of his bor-
rowed money. theoretically the establish
ment of 5000 savings banks throughout the
country has semblance of thrift and a pa
ternal solictatude on the part of the Govern
ment for the people; but tested by trial, the
system would prove impracticabe, cumber,,
some and even mischievous. When the Gov
eminent has taken measures to insure the
people the benefits of a common school sys-
tenn, it need not be at the trouble to provide
in paternal way for the welfare of the
masses. Moreover, with well conducted saw
ings institutions in all those States where the
people are accustomed to save money, Mr..
CresswelPs postal savings banks would hardly
secure dollar. 1t is quite possible that in
some of the Southern States, such banks may
be useful, but like other institutions in that
section, they would lack the element of safe.
ty, and official malfeasance would multiply
and losses would occur with the most skillful
management.
There is no doubt but that Mr.. Cresswell is
fully convinced of the entire practicability
and vast Importance of his twin projects, but
in the present condition of the country it
will be wiser to postpone both of these theo-
ries to period which affords more tangible
proof of its proximity to the Millennium than
the year of grace 1874.