The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1894-11-26
POSTAL SERVICE.
Bissell Makes Recommends
tions Fer the Deficiency.
Recent Railway Strikes Furnish In
terestiHg Topic For Consideration.

wAsHISoroS, Nov gB.--Postmastcr Gen
sral Bissol has submitted TO the presl-
dent his annual report for the year ending
June 30 1894 The report shows that his
sepafinent has been managed on busi-
ness basis. and that his administration
has been devoted TO giving the public the
best possible postal facilities He briefly
outlines the policy Of the departments In
she following,
In general, I would recommend that
the first and most important thing to be
done is TO revise the law as TO second class
matter, so as 90 place the postofiice depart
ment Immediately upon a self-sustaining
basis.
2. Avoid expensive experiments like the
postal telegraph, rural free delivery, etc.
8 Develop the postal service on existing
lines OF the administration, viz: Extend
free delivery In cities that now enjoy 10.
accord 90 the towns already entitled
b It under the law.
Quicken railroad transportation"
T. Revise and reolassify reorganization
for railway mail service and reclassify
slerks in the postoffices.
D. Provide for district supervision OF all
postal affairs by appointment Of expers
postal officials from classified service a.
recommen c3 in my last annual report.
The revenue ior the year was t750sO,-
l79; expendl 80, ssi se4,4l4, leaving
acnciency OF - 2i3 935. The estimates for
she current },r ending June 30, 1898, ars'
Revenue, ~ 74s; expenditures, $9o,-
te9, iSb; def icy. s5,e7l, ,737.
The estiin submitted to the secretary
,f the trcn for the fiscal year are:
Revenue, z io7; expenditures, s9l,'
Hs,2s3; dehc ney S4,l5i,s16.
Incrsase OF mates Not Advisable.
This annu dehciency, the postmaster
general say could be overcome by an In
crease of 20, al rates, but he does not be-
lievc this advisable. It could be can
selled by ijnstmcnt OF rates on scc-
snd-class ma cr, question which ne
sreats at cons derable length In another
part Of Che cport Economy has been
practiced, no nnvertheless great pains have
been taken ,aat IL should not Affect the
efficiency o tbe service.
Mr. Il ss Hpmmcnds that the expert
mental frtr doyery projects should be dis
continued aut thinks that free delivery in
rural distrir - not needed nor desired BY
The people Both ~ these projects were
sriginarcd b ME predecessor.
He reiers to the law made by the de-
partment On ia cry schemes passing un-
aer the name " 'hond investment COM
panies," an eays IL has been waged suo-
,essfully. Il yecommends the enactment
,f laws coveg I In bills now pending be
fore congress 4r the further suppression
" lotteries
OF the oh=t'uction OF mails by strikes.
bhs postmaster general says: I'm my last
annual report ! called attention to the
necessity for legislation such as was then
and IL now rpc1mmended by the superin-
iendent OF railway mail service for the
punishment pi train wrecking and for
legislative determination and definition OF
mail train.
Legislation Needed In Case of Strikes.
''Suoh legislation would be of great adj
vantage to the postal service, and during
lhe past year would most likely havo pre-
vented the embargo placed upon the mail
srains OF the Great Northern railway by
Jne strike which practically tied up that
system from April 10 TO May /. IL would
also have lessened the loss of life, destruc-
Non 60 prop FJy, loss OF revenue 10 the de-
partment and other great evils incident to
She greater Etlikes that paralyzed all bust
ness TO Rreater extent from June 81
zntil July "a Of this year.
MANY OF the lines centering at Chicago
from the east, north and south were oper-
sted internationally, while all of the trans
continental lines, except the Great North
arm which was seriously impaired by
washouts, were effectually blockaded.
The department naturally was very much
hantlfoagped by this condition OF affairs in
the furtherance Of its business, but it kept
watch Of every opportunity presented and
syaifed itsclf OF al avenues offered for the
delivery and supply Of mail in any part Of
kbe country, whether by rail or water"
In his last report Mr.. Bssall referred to
me great dsp-uportiDn Of tho growth OF
second class snil matter, and intimated
that he did not bailsve II was due to the
growth 81 genuine newspapers and period
calls The ,.at q carrying the second
slnss matter s@oS20,09o leaving net
loss to the rovernment of Si6 g73, 900. This
sslculatiou rs totransportation alone,
Ahe separat cot Of distribution and deliv-
-ry not beng ,timated.
Abuse of second Glass Rates.
II do not advocate y change of rates now
apon lccitmate newspapers and periodical
magazines" says Mr. Bissoil my pur-
pose is 90 az e tho withdrawal of low
postage rates from the large cities and the
pretended periodicals that are now i'm
properly enjoying them; not only on &C
count OF tho Inherent propriety of that
course, but because l am almost hopeless
Of over seeing the financial condition Of