Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1894-12-04
POSTOFFiCE DEPARTMENT.
Its Transactions Indicate the FIuct uations
Of the Courtry's business.


The report OF the postnaster-g general pre-
ssits comprehensive = atement of the opera
fiscal year. The receipts of the department
du ing the year ainolntei to S.5.'Sl. iN.A and
the expenditures 10 ssI.:S+, il4l5 The trans
actions of the postal service indicate with bar
ornetric certainty the fluctuations in the
bust ess of the country. lnasmuch. there
lore [nn:;,u. a 20 business. mes, co,pphcs,ions
the last year TO unforeseen extent il is not
surprising tina; the deficiency of revenue 10
meet the expenditures of the postoffice depart
ment, which was estimated in advance at about
eight million dollar. should be exceeded by
;a f,e anu dsr f M sn, aoars Inc
were the basis Of calculation for the current
year. being less than estimated the deficiency
fnr e current year will tie corre=pondinRly
greater. though the postmaster general states
tnat the latest indications are favorable that
he confidently predicts an increase of at least
eight per cent in the revenues Of the current
year over those of the last year.
The expenditures increase steadily and nee
essarily with the growth and needs Of the
country that the defici ency is greater or iees
IN any year depending upon the volume of re
ceipts. The postmaster general st ties that
obviated at once If the law regulating rates
upon mail matter Of the second-class was
modified Inc rate received for the TRANSMITS
the cost OF such transmission to the govern
ment is eight times that amount. In
ra.e covers newnpapers ana prisaie 1a.s
The extensions OF the meaning of these
tsrms from time e time have admit ted to the
and periodicals. n surprising range Of pubfics-
tons and created abuses the cost OF which
amount in the aggregate to the total deficiency
of the postoffice department
Used for Advertising.
Pretended newspapers are started by bust
ness houses for the mere purpose OF advertising
goods, complying with the law in form only
and disseminating the publications as soon as
the period OF advertising is over. Sample
copies OF pretended newspapers are issued in
f,<ars
result is great loss of revenue to the
government. besides its humiliating use
scheme Of business house to advertise its
goods by means of a trick upon both its rival
, bonuses ana the regular and legitimate news
mainly OF trashy novels to the extent OF many
thousands of tons is sent through the mails al
standard works are required to pay eight time
that amount in sending their publications
Another abuse consists in the free carriage
through the mails OF hundreds of tons Of seed
and grain uselessly distributed through the de-
partment of agriculture. The postmaster gen
as to eradicate these abuse. not o asn1 %;I
the post ofiice dep irtment show no deficiency,
but he believes that in the near future ali legi.
might he properly transmitted through the
mails to their subscribers free Of cost Invite
your prompt consideration Of this subject. and
indorse the views OF the postmaster general.
Increase In Post0nlces.
The total number of post-cfiices in the United
states on the 3hh.day Of June, ls0l. was g.
Se an increase Of l.+B over the preceding
year. OF these sAss were presidential. an
increase in that class Of ~ over the prere fling
year; go cities and towns are provided with
free delivery; ninety three other cities and
towns entitled to this service under the law
have not been accorded IL on account Of
insufficient funds The expense Of free d.
livery for the current fiscal year will be more
than SIC .3y. taO and under existing legislation
this item Of expenditure is subject TO constant
Increase The estimated cost Of rural free A.
livery generally il SO very large that IL ought
not to be considered in the present condition Of
affairs.
During the year. s3O additional domestic
money order Offices were established. The to.
IA, number Of these offices 1t the close Of the
year WAS 1884 There were ls.3Os.0el money
orders issued during the az. being ~ increase
over the preceding year Of MhlJ6 The value
OF these orders amounted TO Sl3H sR.-
$500. an increase OF S1xis.Iss 81
There were also issued during the year posfsi
notes amounting to Sls.6@e. g. During the
year. yls international money order oflic . were
added To these already established. making :
total Of gas -uch ofiices in operation Juu- a.
lsA The number Of international money or.
ders issued during the year was III, ga . a.
Continued on Third page.)