The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1891-12-10
POSTAL AFFAIRS.


WASHINGTON, Dec 4.-1he postmas-
ter generals annual report. made pub
lie Thursday. shows that in spite Of
the fact that over $1,000, 900 worth of
lottery revenue has been lost during
the last year the postal de-
felt of $1,000 900 is surely dis
appearing, provided the same rate
of revenue and expenses obtains on
July |, 1893 1t appears that all of the
lottery mail has practically been driven
from the mails. and the fidelity of the
department in trying to enforce this al
most unanimous wish of congress is
shown.
The Careless Public.
It is shown by figures that nine
tenths of the causes why letters go
the public, and Mr.. Wanamaker not
only shows how the work of the dead
letter Office may be reduced but recon-
mends the establishment Of q branch
in San Francisco.
Postal Telephone rs Well Telegraph.
The postmaster general recommends
the adaptation of the telephone as well
as the telegraph to the postal system,
showing that it is not only the consti-
tutional privilege but the duty of con.
gress to utilize all the means Of modern
science for quickening the transmission
of intelligence. He says:
''One-cent letter postage three-cent tele-
phone messages and ten cent telegraph mes
sages all near possibilities under en-
lightened and compact postal system using the
newest telegraphic inventions. The ad-
vantage OF tying the rural post office by
telephone wire requiring no operator
to the railroad station must be- obvious. The
benefits arising from telephone connections
with the post offices will easily suggest them.
selves in hundred ways to those who want
the entire people to share in common
privileges. The rural population would
be the greatest gamer A telephone
message from the post Office to the rail-
road station miles away to ascertain il ex.
pccted freight had come wonld save the farm.
er many needless trip over bal roads; news
OF approaching frosts could be promptly spread
over country districts and. fruit growing re
gions and many valuable crop saved. The
days market prices for cattle and grain and
wool and product may BE- obtained by he
farmers direct by inquiry from others than the
buyer who drives up To the farm in his buggy
All these may seem homely purpose, to dwell.
ers in cities, but country life would lose some
of its draw backs by the extension OF such faci,.
tiles TO those who bear their full share OF the
burdens Of the government and receive in
postal respects al least less than their share
Of its benefits"
hallway Post Orices.
Mr.. Wanamakcr believes in the full
parcels post. but does not reco .lmend
it at present lie urges the abolition
Of personal uretyships Of postmasters.
as they are too frequently under obi
cations which damage the service. lie
proposes to extend the money order
system everywhere. 1t appears
that nearly 5000 miles Of ad-
ditional railway post office service have
been established, 1890 miles in1he Pa
cific coast states. $500 in the other
western states, a.40O in the southern
states and about 1000 in the north
eastern states.
Pneumatic Tube System.
| Mr. Wanamaker describes the pnen-
matte tube system of Berlin and Lon
don and strongly recommends their
adoption in this country. lie insists
that they would pay and records ev-
eral attempts mt beginning such a SER
vice. wonderful Seanceling machine
which prevents the delay Of letters in
! the post offices in stamping has been
employed.
Rural Free Delivery.
Arguments why this service ought to
be continued and enlarged are aduuced,
and it is shown how much similar ef-
forts TO extend the free delivery into
the country are to be made along star
routes and by means of suburban cleo
trio roads. Mr.. Nanamakcr re-
commcnds the passage of bill to en-
title towns OF population between
and shows that the specialdelivery
service in cities has increased one-thirt
this year over the average of the last
four years.
For Postal Savings.
He argues strenuously for postal
savings. lie reiterates his plan of last
year and adds:
Another plan, quite simple and thoroughly
practical, would be to issue ut the post Offices
non negotiable certificates OF postal deposit in
sums OF $40, 10 30 and &iOO. bearing interest Ut
the rate Of half cent day the dollar
(sl.ash per year. after the first OF the
month following the date OF deposit. and the
principal and interest payable on demand Ut
any money order office by proper Endorsement
and Identification under regulations OF the post
master general
One-Cent Postage.
On the question of one-cent postage
the report says:
According to . careful estimate, based on
the count OF mail matter Made in 1890, there
passed through the mails during the year ended
June 81. 1891, the following pieces OF letter
mail TO wit:
1853, lso, soS letters to other post
ESQ $50 AS letters for local delivery a7sl JOS u
81, ,e.7. .l0 drop letters. s............ go "a. 1!
Total postage I'll. %32 ~ 81
ITO reduce letter postage TO uniform
rate OF one cent means that the department,
will lose ne-hali Of this amount OF receipts
One-half would be s.O7l6.O6l.5. We have
therefore to face this problem assuming
that II Is ripe for solution by 1891. clear
loss to the revenue Of not less than e ,00O O0l
under present conditions which, il the depart
ment were to receive its dues In regard 10 the
credits belonging to 1t. would be reduced to the
deficit OF from 40 OOOO.OOU to 81 lOuD.uU0
II have heretofore stated that one cent post
age will be successfully demanded in time.
believe that time Is not far of II certainly
| ought not to be asked for as long as any deficit
| appears In the revenues OF the postal service
and here wish to reiterate the further state
ment that in my judgment 1t ought not to bt
asked for then until many improvements and
extensions OF the service are provided for.
THREE MEN KILLED.