The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1891-12-18
POSTAL MATTERS.
Gratifying Results Exhiblted-Suggestions
of the observation-disclosures Mall

Gratifying Results Exhibited-Suggestions
of the Postmaster-tieneral- Mall
Servloe-Etc.
In the report of the postmaster genera
some gratifying results are exhibited and
many betterments of the service sug gZested.
perusal of the report gives abundant
evidence that the supervision and direction
of the postal system have been character
lied by Intelligent and conscientious desire
to improve the service The revenues OF
the department show an increase of over
five millions of dollars, while the estimate
for the year 1898, shows q surplus of receipts
over expenditures.
Ocean mail post offices have been estab-
lished upon the steamers of the North Ger
man Lloyd and Hamburg lines, saving, by
the distribution on shipboard, from two to
fourteen hours time In the delivery OF mail
at the port of entry and often much more
than this in the delivery at interior places.
So thoroughly has this system initial ID by
Germany and the United States, evidenced
its usefulness that 1t can not be longer be-
fcre IL Is in tailed upon all the great ocean
mail CARRYING steamships.
EXTENDING FREE DELIVERY.
Eight thousand miles of new postal ser
vice have been established upon railroads,
the car distribution to sub stations in the
great cities has been increased about IL per
cent, while the percentage of errors in dis
tribution has. during the past year, been re-
duced over one half. An appropriation was
given by the last congress for the purpose
of making some experiments in free deliy-
cry in this smaller cities and towns. The re-
suits of these experiments have been salts
factory that the postmaster. general recon-
mends, and ] concur in the recommends
tion, that the free delivery system be at once
extended to towns of 5, 90 population. His
discussion of the inadequate facilities ex-
tended under our present system to rural
communities and his suggestions with
view to give these communities fuller par
ticipatIon in the benefits of the postal SER
vice are worthy OF your careful considera-
tion. 1t is not just that the farmer who
receives his mail at the neighboring
town should not only be compelled
to send to the post Office for II, but to pay
considerable rent for a box in which to place
II or wait his time at a general delivery win
dow, while the city resident has his mail
brought to his door 1t Is stated that over
81, I,OOI ne:gh hborhoods, are. under the present
system, receiving mail at post offices where
money orders aud postal notes are not is
sued. The extension of this system to these
communities is especially desirable, AS the
patrons of such offices are not possessed of
the other facilities offered In more populous
communities for the transmission OF small
sums of money.
POSTAL TELEGRAPH
grsss. expressed my views as to modified
use of the telegraph in connection with the
postal service.
OCEAN MAIL SUBSIDY.
In pursuance of the ocean mail law OF
March 3, 1891, and after a most careful study
of the whole subject and frequent confer
ences with ship owners, boards of trade, and
Others advertisements were issued by the
postmaster general for fifty three lines of
ocean mail service. ten TO Great Britain and
the continent, twenty seven to South Ameri-
ca, three to China and Japan, four to Aus
tralia and the Pacific Islands. seven to the
West Indies and two to Mexico 1t was not,
of course, expected bids from all these lines
would be received or that service upon them
all would be contracted for. 1t was intended
in furtherance of the act to secure as many
new lines as possible. while including in the
list most or all of the foreign lines now oc-
cuped by American ships. 1t was hoped
that a line TO England and perhaps one to
the continent would be secured; but the out
lay required to equip such lines wholly with
new ships of the first class and the difficulty
of establishing new lines in compstition with
those already establish ID deferred bidders
whose interest had been enlisted. II Is
hoped that way may yet be found Of over.
coming difficulties. The Brazilian Stcam-
ship Co by reason of a miscalculation as to
the speed of its vessels was not able to bid
under the terms of the advertisement The
policy of the department was to secure from
the established lines an improved service as
a condition of giving to them the Dement'S OF
the law. This In all in stances has been at
tanned. The postmaster general estimates
that an expenditure in American ship yards
of about lOOoi,DO0 will be necessary to
enable the bidders to construct the ships
called for by the service which they have
accepted.
DO not think there Is any reason for dis