The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1888-12-04

5,286 made last year. While the
total number of pieces regis
tered increased 1,042 .819, the total
number of losses sustained, as
| shown by investigation and careful
estimate, was Si5, or one piece out
of every 1884 pieces handled. Last
year the actual loss was LOGS or one
piece out of every 11,1S7. These fig
ures show much better service this
year than last. These losses were from
all causes, accidents, burning of cars
and postoffices and other casualties,
of theft by dishonest officials.
Forty-four thousand nine hundred
and seventeen complaints in regard
| to domestic ordinary mail were re-
ceived, and 35, 82S were investigated. In
view OF the figures showing the il
! creased number of postage stamps sold
| during the year, demonstrating the
great increase OF mail matter handled,
! these figures show an improvement in
the service. In $3.50 of these complaints
| investigated, the claim of loss was
| found to be false. The Postmaster
| General says: "At the request of my
predecessors, an additional appro-
priation of 100000 was made
for the inspection OF the ser
vice. This was done in order
that the smaller postofices those of
the fourth class-might be examined
and postmasters instructed by a per-
sonal visit of the inspector. This has
! not previously been done Systematically.
During the past year 24.889 of such
offices were inspected Much good has
resulted, as the department record
shows greater promptness in making
deposits and reports to the depart
ment has resulted, and a marked
increase in its receipts.
COLLECTIONS MADE.
Inspectors collected or caused to be
collected in the Treasury on account of
cases of class CO. ceases which are not
strictly to be called mail depredations),
SLIT 525. II for the good of the service in
all its branches. This additional ap-
preparation of 100000 should be re-
newed for the coming year. The total
cost of the foreign mail service
was $490,067, of which 1851 $40
was for Transporting mails of the
United States. The originals of this
amount were paid for transatlantic
service, 1888 1862; for the TRANSATLANTIC
service, $40, 593, and for miscellaneous
service, $5S,553. The transatlantic
steamship service of mails for Europe
has been invariably, signed each
month, to those steamers which made
the fastest time, as ascertained from the
average of the number or trips, re-
ported by steamship companies. The
department during the year has
| negotiated a postal convention be-
tween the United States and
Canada, which went into operation
March l, 1888, and makes virtually one
postal territory of the United States
and Canada. A uniformity of postage
rates had already been established, but
there was still the restriction that no
merchandise of any kind could be sent
to Canada. This restriction has now
been removed and with the exception
OF specially prohibited articles, mer
chandise can now be sent at fourth
class rates of postage. Parcel postal
conventions were concluded in
the fiscal year ended June Both,
1888. with Barbados, Bahamas,
| British Hondorus and Mexico.
| Parcelpost conventions are now pend
| ing with Central and South American
States, and will doubtlessly prove q
great boon to American commerce and
| industry. In connection with the
foreign mail service, and especially to
our connection with Central and South
America and Mexico, the Postmaster
General vigorously reasserts his views
against making the postal administra-
ton a disburser of subsidies. He de-
mOnstrates how, in his opinion, such
function would hamper the mail service,
and urges that il the policy of sub
s!dizing American lines for the promo
ton OF Goa MERGE be adopted, appro-
prlations be vCted directly to the own
ers.
POSTAL TELEGRAPHY.
The postal telegraphy for correspon-
dence of the country continues to be
under the charge and protection of the
government. The vast and increasing
volume conducted by biography and
the right of the present body of the
people 20 be afforded facilities for
the best and quickest transmission
of rates within the means of govern
ment, will press this subject upon the
attention of Congress with more and
more urgency. The chief difficulties in
the way are a great loss of the present
method and the absence of safeguards,
which according to the theory of the
present mail service should protect the
privacy of correspondence. 1 have
given the subject much consideration,
and believe the inventive genius of
this country has reached stage in the
discovery in electric science when these
problems will be solved Tne subject
Is of such great importance to the peo-
pie, that [ believe an opportunity
should be given for its presentation and
examination of inventions which have
been informally presented to commit
tees of Congress, the department. and
the public, and that stimulus sh ouid
be given to inventors to turn their at
tention to the Improvement of the old
methods. l recommend the appoint
ment of a commission. composed of
competent and disinterested men,
learne ia science, who are to examine
the inventions and unite with others,
who sha be authorized to raise new
experimental lines, and who shall re-
port to the President, or to Congress,
the results of their Investigations.
COMPLAINTS AND LOSSES.