Wichita eagle., 1886-10-29
CAPITAL BUDGET.
COST OF OUR POSTAL SERVICE.

COST OF OUR POSTAL SERVICE.
WASHINGTON, Oct. 20.-Ghe estimates
of the expenses Of the postal service for the
next fiscal year aggregate 50, 534, slo. while
the appropriations for the current year were
S54. 1865. $685. showing an increase in the es-
Inmates for next year of $976,2S6 This in
crease is made up of the following items:
COMPENSATION of clerks in postoificcs, $780,
600: additional expenses Of the free deiiv-
ery system, S246, 1853; second assistant post
master generals Office, &36, coo; third as
sistant post.ras generals office, S24' 800:
FOREIGN mail service, $4,000. The csti-
mates of the ordinary revenue for the next
fiscal year az $40, 962, sos and the revenue
from the money order system $500, COO,
making g. total estimated revenue OF $780,
612,59S. The estimated deficiency in re-
ceipts as compared with expenditures dur
ing the next year is placed at S4, ~ ,oo4.
while it is estimated that the current fiscal
year will show deficiency OF 81, 1921:
From the annual report OF the second
assistant postmaster general, A. Geo. Knott,
it appears that on the Both OF June, 1856,
there were in operation throughout the
United States, %, 133 routes OF all classes,
on which mail service was performed. at
an annual rate Of expenditures at the close
of the last fiscal year of 500 ,O26,61o The
aggregate length of all these routes was
3S7 $50 miles. The report states that from
April 1, to June 80, 1885, the total savings
in the annual rate of cost in this depart
ment of the postal service, effected by
orders and by new contracts for transporta-
ton. was s., $40, 1856 In the star service,
there was an increase OF 8T4 routes and Of
| ,GG3 miles in length, and decrease of
500 ,625 in the annual rate OF expenditures.
In tie mail messenger service there was
an increase OF twenty routes and decrease
Of 1857 in the annual rate OF expendi-
lures In the steamboat service there was
an increase of one route and a decrease OF
1856 mlss aud of S116,593 in the annual
rate Of cost; the steamboat service thus dis
pensed with being supplanted by railway
and star services.
In the railroad service there was tn in
crease of cighty-one routes of 1901 miles
in length, and Of 1921 $3.50 in the annual
rate of costs In railway postal car ser.
vice there was decrease of s53, l61 OF
cost The estimates for next year are
sf5, S61. 1862, being an increase of only
1912 $50 over the appropriation Tor the
current year.
The report closes with the recommenda-
ton for change lii the method of compcn-
sating the railway mail service. Under the
present Law railways are paid according &c
average daily weight carried both ways
On account of the many incongrlities
under this method Of pay and unsatisfac-
tory method of adjusting the compensation
change is recommended by substitution
of 6 SPACE basis instead Of weigh. basis OF
paw. Ii is believed that this method will.
without seriously affecting the present scr
vice. make 4 saving Of about 600, coo per
year.
SECRETARY BANNING WILL RssUaE
Actual control of the treasury department
tomorrow and Mr. Fairchild will be re-
licved of his duties rs acting secretary,
which Office he has hcld,,from the tine Mr.
Manning was taken sick upto date
THIRD AUDITOR WILLIAMS REPORT
Was sent 70 the secretary Of tie treasury
todsy. IN submitting this report he says
| that il affords him much pleasure TO direct
attention 10 the improved condition OF the
business Of the Office So disclosed in the
several divisions, compared with the pre-.
vions fiscal year. The total number OF
| claims. accounts ani cases settled and dis
| posed Of during the fiscal year ending Jane
| 80. 1856, was Il ,e35, including slJ9, +0i,
l2t. During the preceding fiscal year tna
number was S,9lo, involving $el ,52S,
| COS. An increase Of - per
| cent. Is thu shown over lSoi-J,
in the number OF Claims, cic., disposed OF,
and aboat a per cent. Of the money inyol
/ 7ed. Referring to the state var olaiIns,
the auditor says that while full iavesiiss-
ton had not been completed. accuracy o.
examination unfoids gross irregularities
arising out of absolute carslessless or vii
full preparation OF fraud. The officer. a
ter Thorough examination of the claims
Of the state OF Indiana. found that n ROUND
numbers -, GO had been ILLEGALLY a
lowed: 81. co Of this saIa were in tn;
year 1874. discovered and withheld frou. :
creii; found due the state, and upon inves
t;gatioa now si6. 9tro more rnsde up in sc
counts allowed in excess of vouchers pre-
sen.ei amounts allowed twice for tie san''
service AID amounts allowed witLou
vouchers appear as legitimate charsf
against ;ke state.
In the matter of tie claims al The stat
OF Vernon: ii appear. thai for want o
proper system In keeping The account
$21j, % have been al various times Size
the close Of the var q the rebellion paid Il
!. the state which instead should Lave bee
applied 10 the Indebtedness amounting :