The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-12-03
CARRYING OF THE MAILS.
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE POST
MASTER GENERAL.

100, ,227 Less Than the Expenditures
Recommendation Concerning Pos
tai Telegraphy.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 2.-The Postmaster
Generals annual report presents concisely
the condition and history Of every division
and branch Of the posta! service for the
fiscal year ended June 80, lSsS, with many
comparisons with previous years, showing
a remarkable expansion OF business and
large increase IN expenditure.
The gross revenue for the year was s52,-
5.l76
The total expenditures, inclusive of liza
bilities for the year unpaid and embracing
the amount for the transportation of mails
on the Pacific railroads for which the gov
ernment receives credit, was $50, SS5, 405.
The estimated deficiency therefore, is
81, ,l90,227.
The total estimated gross receipts for the
year ended June so. 1889, were S57 ,392, $40.
The amount appropriated for the service
OF this year is 500, $50 233, or an excess over
the amount of revenue estimated of
s., ,467 ,657, which will be drawn from the
general treasury should tn total amount
appropriated be needed.
NEXT YEARS PROBABLE FIGURES.
The total estimated gross receipts for the
year ending juno 30, $780, are 500 sos, ,65S.
The probable amount of expenditure to
be made in carrying on the business of the
postal service for the year ending June 80,
1890, as shown by the estimates submitted
to the Secretary Of the Treasury is $65, ,6l2,-
073.
The deficiency to be supplied from the
general treasury is, therefore, So, ,3O5, 414.
The total number of postoffices is 57,S76,
an increase over 1885 of q, l2I
The adjustment of July /, 1888, estab-
lished 81 offices IN the first class, 497 in the
second class and l,90S in the third class,
making total Of presidential offices at the
date last named of 2,502.
The gross receipts at presidential offices
for the four quarters ended March 81, 1883,
show an increase Of S., ,322 ,S26, as compared
with the adjustment of July l, 1887.
THE RAILWAY SERVICE.
In the rail way mail service an increase
of about IL, 900 miles is shown as against
the previous years estimated increase of
5000 miles. There is an increase of IT,
077 ,999 in the number of miles Travelled
per annum and decrease of 72-l00 per
cent. in the rate of cost per mile Travelled
and an increase of 3-32 per cent. in the
average number Of rips per week.
The total volume of business in the
money order division for the year is up
ward of $I4, 300, 900 and show net profit
to the government of about $50, 900 The
volume Of ordinary mail matter has
largely increased.
1t is estimated that the revenue on the
number of pieces handled during the past
year would have been, without the reduction
Of postage, upward of $70000,000.
TIT free delivery service was, during the
last fiscal year. extended to l69 additional
places under the act Of Jan. 8, 1887, making
Nofo ~ ia oil 'ba
Der Of carriers was increased from $3.50 to
6,346
oFFENsEs AGAINST THE MAILS.
During the year 79l persons, officials,
employees Of tho department, ahd others,
were arrested for various offenses against
the postal laws and regulations. The uum-
Der includes 80 postmasters, 26 assistant
postmasters, 32 postoffice clerks, l2 railway
postal clerks, 81 letter carriers, Is mail car
riers, 9 other employees, 1913 burglars of post
offices and $50 others for various offenses
these subject to the jurisdiction of the
courts Of the United States. Forty nine
burglars and % other offenders were ar
rested, whose cases were subject to the
jurisdiction of state courts. One hundred
and seventy one Of these offenders were
convicted 35 were acquitted or discharged
and $40 are awaiting trial.
BETTER SHOWING THAN LAST YEAR.
The report says: 1T is gratifying to
note that there has been marked improve
ment over the past year In the number OF
complaints of depredations upon the domes-
tic registered mail aud that the percentage
Of loss is also smaller. The total number OF
losses sustained as shown by investigation
and careful estimate, was S45 or one piece
out Of every u, ,334 pieces handled. Last
year the actual loss was ,065 or one pieca
out OF every II, ,ls7 There were 4i,9l7
4.
mail received and 5,S2S investigated. In
$50 Of these complaints Investigated the
claim Of loss was found to be false The
letters or packages we're either not mailed
or were subsequently delivered"
GOOD RESULTS OF INSPECTIONS.
The Postmaster General says: "At the
request of my predecessor, an additional
appropriation Of 500, 900 was made for the
inspection service. This was done in order
that the smaller postoffices, those of the
fourth class, might be examined and the
postmasters instructed by the personal visit
Of an Inspector. This had not previously
been done Systematically. During the last
year "a, $50 such offices were carefully in.
spected. Much good has resulted, as the
department records show. Creator prompt
ness in making deposits and reports TO
the department has resulted, and
there is marked increase in its
Itctlplh Lht INSPECTORS iDltfhhl VI tdubti
TO be deposited in the treasury on account
OF cases of class c. leases which are not
strictly to DO called mail depredations)
$l77, ,52j. For the good Of the service in all
its branches this additional appropriation
Of 100000 should be renewed for the com
ing year.
FOREIGN MAIL SERVICE SLIPS.
The total number OF complaints in regard
TO foreign mail, both registered and ordi-
nary was 1885. considerable increase
ovor any previous year, but the number Of
actual losses is less in proportion to the
number OF complaints treated. Six thou
sand, six hundred and elghty-three cases re-
lated to registered mail, 3.S02 70 ordinary
mall and $40 TO miscellaneous complaints.
Actual loss was sustained in 902 cases relat-
ing 10 registered matter.
The report submits elaborate schedules OF
railway mail connections in the south and
between the northwest and south. showing
constantly increasing business aud need OF
moro attention and means for its proper
care, with showing that the subject has
received marked consideration during the
past fiscal year.
SPECIAL PAY TO RAILROADS.
The Postmaster General submits that the
appropriations for special pay 10 railroads
should be better distributed, or II need be,
increased, II tho policy Of special appro-
priations for increased pay is 10 be con-
tlnued. He cnlls attention 10 the settled
apulicatiOu of stich aDDrODrlatiOns 10 tho