The morning call., 1893-12-05
ABOUT THE MAILS.

The report OF the Postmaster-General con-
tains detailed statement OF The operations of
the POstofce Department during the last fiscal
year aud much interesting information touch
Ing this important branch OF the public service.
The business OF the malls indicates with abso-
lutte certainty the condition OF the business of
the country, and depression in financial affairs
Inevitably and quickly reduces the postal reve-
nues. Therefore, a larger discrepancy than
usual between the Postoffice receipts and ex-
penditures is the expected and unavoidable
result of The distressing srringency which has
prevailed Throughout the country during much
Of the time covered by the Postmaster Generals
report.
AT a date when better times were anticipated
IL was estimated by his predecessor fhai the
be but little over 10000 It amounted,
however, TO more than S5,OO0.OOO. AT the
same time. ana under the Influence or like an
ticipatlon, estimates were made for the current
fiscal year ending June 80, 1894, which ex-
hibie ed surplus of revenue over expenditures
OF s872,245 II; but now, IN view OF the actual
receipts aud expenditures during that part of
the current fiscal year already expired, the
Postmaster-G General eslim ties that al its close
instead OF surplus there will be deficiency
OF nearly SS.000,000.
The posiofiice receipts for the last fiscal year
amounted to S75.896, ,933 10, and its ex-
pendiIures SSl,074. l04 80. This posrof1ice
deficiency would disappear or be immensely
decreased II less matter was carried free
through the mails, an item OF which is upward
OF 300 tons of seeds and grain from the Agri-
cultural Department.
The total number OF postoffices In the United
States on the 3Oth day OF June. 1898. was
6S,403, an increase OF 1884 over the preceding
year. OF these 1850 were Presidential offices,
an increase in that class OF 2o4 over the pre-
ceding year.
Forty-two free delivery Offices were added
during the year o those already existing, max.
ing total OF 610 cities and towns provided
with fr e delivery on June 80, 1898. Nine y
three other cities and towns are now entitled
to this service under lhr law, but 1t has not
been accorded thrm on account OF insufficient
funds 10 meet the expense of its esi ablshment
L am decidedly OF the opinion that the pro-
visions of the present law permit as general an
Introduction OF this feature OF mail service as is
necessary o. justifiable, and that it ought not
10 be extended to smaller communities than
those now designated.
The expense of free delivery for The fiscal
year ending June 80. 1898. will be more than
S11. 100000 aud under the legislation existing
there must be constant Increase in this item
Uf expenditures.
There were 6101 additions to the domestic
money order Offices during the last fiscal year,
being the largest Increase fD any year since the
inauguration OF the system. The TOT al number
OF these offices at the close of the year was
1S,434. There We're 13.309,73 money orders
issued from these offices. being an increase
over the preceding year OF 1.246, ,290, ana the
value OF these orders amount ed 10 Sl27,5
433 65. an increase Of S7,509.632 5S. There
were also issued during The year postal notes
amounting to $l3, 90S ,076 73.
During the year 195 International money
order offices were added In those already pro-
yided, ma ing total OF 2407 In operation on
June 80, 1888. The number OF International
money orders issued dulng the year was
1,O55, $685. an Increase over the preceding year
OF az, 525, and their value waS S16341. S37 Sc,
Increase OF 81. 222, SOC 81. The number of
orders paid was 3OU. 1917, an increase over the
preceding year OF I3. 503, and thei value was
S5,2S3,375 20, an Increase of S94,094 S3.
r ON lie foregoing statement 1t appears that
The total issue of money orders aud postal
notes for the year amounted o S166, S21, 34S pa.
The number of letters and Packages matted
during the year for special delivery was 3,375,-
COB. an Increase over the preceding year Of
nearly 22 per cent. The special delivery
stamps used upon these letters and packages
amounted to 1887, ,559 80 ana the messengers
fees laid for their delivery amounted TO $685.
592 Il. leaving profit TO the Government OF
SS0.976 SO.
The railway mail service not only adds to
the promptuess of mail delivery at all Offices,
bu it Is the especial instrumentality which
puts the smaller and way places In the service
on an equality IN that regard with the larger
and terminal offices.
This branch Of the postal service has. there
fore, received more attention from the Post
master-General, and though IL Is gratifying 10
know that II Is In a condition OF high efficiency
and great usefulness, 1 am led to agree tn
the Postmaster-General that there Is room for
Its further improvement.
There are now connected with the pOstoffice
establishment %, ,324 employees who are In the
classified service. The head of this great de-
partrneut gives conclusive evidence OF the value
OF civil service reform when, after an expert
ence that renders his judgment on the subject
absolutely reliable, he expresses thc opinion
that without the bene Mt of this system IL would
I've I'M ossibie TO conduct the vast business In
trusted 10 him.
| desire 10 commend as especially worthy OF
prompt attention the suggestions OF the foSt-
masier-General, relative TO IA more sensible anu
business-like organization aud better diStrI-
button OF responsibility In his department..