New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-12-03
GREATEST IN THE WORLD.
THE POSTNIASTER-GENERAL ANNUAL Ri~
PORT ON THE POSTAL SERVICE
Mr. DICKINSON GIVES PLENTY OF STATISTICS
But MAKES FEW REcOMMENDATIoNs-NoT
A WORD ABOUT PENNY POSTAGE

Washington, Dec. 2.-Thc Postmaster Generals re-
port presents conciscy the condition and history OIL
every division and branch OF the postal service ior
the fiscal year ended June 80. 1853. with many strih-
ing comparisons with previous years, showing to
markable expansion of business and large increase
in expenditure. The following are some Of tho leao
ing statements and recommendations of the text o'
the report:
The gross revenue for the year was s5.'oDo'i'o'
The total expenditures S56,ss5.403 The e'-
timatcd deficiency, Therefore IS s4.loo22' Inc
total number OF post Offices is 81 $780, an increase oNo
1885 OF 6,1o4.
The number of postmastcrs appointed during the
year ended June 30 1855, was 1925. OF Which
65ol were upon designations and commissions OK
pred 1.o44 upon removals, $50 to fill vacancies pS
death and g. SOD on establishment OF new postonces'
One thousand six hundred and forty-fve postohces
were discontinued during the year
STATISTICS OF THE SERVICE
In the railway mall service an increase ~ about
lo 900 miles is shown, as against the previous year
estimated increase Of G,00O miles.
The total volume OF business in the money order
division for the year is upward Of S143ooo'ooo' anu
shows a net profit to the Government OF about
s,o 600 Tho volume of ordinary mail matter has
LARGELY increased and II is estimated that the revenue
IN the number OF pieces handled during the past year
would have been without reductions OF postage
inward of S7OOOOOOO The free delivery service
vas during the last fiscal year extended tn JOB add
tionaI places under the Act Of January B. 1887 max
ing total Of 35s free delivery cities Inc huihoe' Vi
carriers was increased from 5.31O TO $40
Carefully prepared statistics submitted IN
every branch OF the service demonstrating. the re-
port says increased efficiency over previous years
The report submits elaborate schedules of railway
mail connections in the South and between the North
west and South showing constantly increasing ous-
ness and need Of more attention and means for It's
with
ccived marked consideration during the last fiscal
year.
The Postmaster. General sumbts that appropriations
for special pay 10 railroads should be better DIS
tributed or II need be- increased If the policy OF
special appropriations for increased pay Is to DC
continued He calls attention to the settled appl-
cations OF such appropriations to the payment OF one
or two lines OF the road and the absence OF any such
means 10 secure by contract better connections De
tween New York and New England and with the ne"
commercial South lie states that BIZ special ap
propriatons a few OF the railroads the impression
f. given that the Department has the disbursement
Of fund for all and dissatisfaction is created by IN
creased pay TO some for service no better or more
needed II 50 much as that the lines OF others who
receive no such special favors Notwithstanding The
absence OF any such funds he proceeds to show. IN
addition to many special additions OF Improved ser
vice upon shorter lines that many through last mans
have been aided by negotiation and contract Inc
through
OF the Department
SUPERIOR TO OTHER NATIONS
Statistics are submitted contrasting the American
service with that Of Great Britain, Germany and
France, demonstrating that In cheapness OF postage
gross revenue ard expenditures. number Oh pos'
fices extent Of mail routes mileage OF mall ser
vice and volume Of mail matter transmitted ihe
postal systom Of the Uacd states is the leading one
n, the world The acreage number Of pieces OF mall
NJ he
named taking the last census as the basis OF the
calcnlatons Is now about as follows
tinted states. pieces per capita, Il Great Britain
pIcces Der carita 81; Germany, ditto, Al; france
ditto. 81.
Tho total cost Of the foreign mail service was
alG0 OG7 Of which S4Gi.91O was for Transporting
mail, Of United states origin OF ms aulouni thslt
Wa paid Tor trans Atlantic service, S3332 90; for
Pacific service 81 800 and for miscellaneous
service $500.
TRANSATLANTIC STEAMSHIP SERVICE
The mails FOR Europe have been invariably as
signed each month TO those steamers which made the
fastest time as asccrtaned from an average OF mum
Der Of trips a, reported by the steamship companies
The fastest time from Ncw-Iork to London by way
OF Queenstown was made by the Cunard steamship
Uml,rla namely. 1707 hours 5000 =, ,,.o,
Tie fastest dime frcm Ncw-YorE to London oy way
Of Soutt amptOn made by the North German LioSu
TLe fastest Tine ron view York Havre was made
bv the General Transatlantic steamship La Ohaih-
raynr. namely. 10 hours , .
Ire Impairment during the year negotiated a
Po,'ai CouV c' iOi. between the United states snI
cau,la which went into operation March ], lo-- ana
maac- virtually one postal territory oil inc ni hI
.,.,e. and d alala Uniformity Of postage rates hai
eircady been established. bat there was still the re-
stricton that 10 merchandise o any kinu S I ~,
sem 10 Canada This restriction has now Dech IT.
moved and with the exception of specially pro
hlbteG article. merchandise can now DC sent d.
fouIfl,clase rates Of postage.
pare. nost convention, have been concluded during
tAc fiscal wear ended June 80 1so-. with BaIDadOes'
the Bahamas. British Honduras and Mexico. . oil
r....ftt -pr.
the Central and south american States, and VIII
doubles Provo stcat benefit to American commerce
am In connection with the foreign mail service, and
esuccailv I'm p latl0n To- the means OF cOmmuncauVn
with south ana 'nla, sIy ,ra,sqrts his views
arainsf making the postal admins tration the dis
burscr Of subsidies lie demons raoes nov" ma scr s
vice and urges that If the policy OF suDsIuI~'u :
American lines inr The promoter ~ , rono ,o the
adopted the appropriations be voted directly 10 inc
owners.
FEW RFCOMNENDAT1ONS
After submitting through the report varons reconi,
rendatons relating the improvement OF me de'dl
Of the service the Postmaster-Gcnersl submits inc
following Of more general interest;
hill prepared in Department ana reported FAVOR
~ lac the committees Of both houses but not acted upon
=, The last session would provide a ndard hNed Dy
returns showing amount OF business transacted AZ
each Office which would give the Postmaster"enera ue
oyer IN purchase and erect permanent buildings
., 80. ocice ui,rposes / had honor 70 furnish the
ormittee- with the data showing that in my Judgment
sound business principles dictated snch pohcy' ana
demonstrating that would be measure oil economy
80 M Government by comparison with the present sys-
tern ~ leasing the expiration OF leases IL j. "'no''
invariably the case that strife arises among olfehs Vi
towns over tho GSng q new site for the posi- ouo''
Ieal estate values are extent unsettled ny s1ch
chances and 20 frequently difficult Tor the han ol INC
Derarten. 10 determine whether the case presented ioi
the location has stronger popular support in the Interest
az