The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1894-12-05

correspondingly greater. though the post
mas ter-general states that the attest indi-
cations are 50 favorable that he confidently
predicts an increase Of al least s per cent.
in the revenues Of the current year over
those OF the last year.
The expenditures Increase steadily and
necessarily with the growth and needs OF
the country, so that the deficiency is great
er or less in any year depending upon the
volume Of receipts
The postmaster-gsneral states that this
deficiency Is unnecessary and might be
o5Vl3ted at once. If the law regulating rates
upon mail matter of the second-claSs was
modified. The rate received for the trans
mission or TINS SecOnd-claSS matter IS
cent a pound, while the cost Of such trans
mission 10 the government Is eight times
that amount. IN the general terms or the
+ law. TINS rate covers newspapers and PERIOD
! lc3ls. The extensions of the meaning OF
these terms from time 10 time have ae-
mitted 10 the privileges intended for legi1-
/ mate newspapers and periodicals.. a surpris-
I ing range Of publications, and created
I abuses the cost of w1ich amount in the ag-
: gregate, TO the total deficiency Of the post
Z Office department Pretended newspapers
/ are started by business houses. for the mere
! purpose OF advertising goods, complying
I with the law IN form only. and discontinue
ing the publications as soon as the period OF
( adverus is over. Sample copies OF
/ pretended newspapers are issued in great
I numbers for a like purpose only.
The result is a great loss Of revenue 10
the government. besides It's humiliaung use
! as an agency 10 aid in carrying out the
/ scheme Of a business house 20 advertise us
! goods, by means OF a trick upon both Its
! rival houses and the regular and legitimate
newspapers. Paper covered literature, con-
/ sis.ing mainly Of trashy novels. 10 the eX-
tent Of many thousands Of tons. Is sent
/ through the mails at I cent a pound, wnhe
the publishers Of standard works are re-
| quIred 10 pay eignt tunes mat amount ~
! sending their publications. Another abuse
l consists in the free carriage through the
/ mails Of hundreds Of tons Of seed and grain
/ uselsssly distributed through the department
Of agriculture.
The pOstmaster-general predicts that IL
! the law be So amended as TO eradicate
I these abuses not only viii the postofiice
/ department show no deficiency, but he
believes that in the near future all
! legitimate newspapers and periodicals and
magazines might be properly transmitted
through the mails 10 their subscribers
free OF cost I invite your prompt con-
sderation of this subject and fully in
dOrse the views Of the pOstmaster-gener
The Various Phases.
The total number Of postofices In the
United States on the 30th day OF June,
1894, was SO, sos. an increase Of 1.403 over
tbs preceding year. OF these 3,42S We're
presidential, an increase in that class OF
slxty-eight over the preceding year. Six
hundred and ten cities and towns are pro
vided with free delivery. Ninety-three
other cities and towns entitled to this serv-
ice under the law have not been accorded
it, on account OF insufficient funds. The
expense Of free delivery for the current
fiscal year viii be more than $4,000 000
! and. under existing legislation. this item
| Of expenditure is subject 10 constant in
crease. The estimated cost OF rural free
| delivery generally is 50 very large that
it ought not 10 be considered in the pres
/ ent condition Of affairs.
| During the year $50 additional domestic
| money order offices were established.
The total number Of these offices at the
close Of the year was 19 .264. There were
! 14.304.041 money orders issued during the
year, being an increase over the preced-
ing year Of 994.306. The value OF these
| orders amounted to SI3S. 793. .579.49, an in
! crease Of $1I.2I7, 1854. There were also
issued during the year postal notes
amounting to SO. .649 09495
During the year 2lS international money
order offices We're added TO those already
established, making a total OF 2,625 OF such
! offices in operation June 80, 1894 The
number Of international money orders Is
| sued during the year was l7,S2S. a de-
| crease in number of 1916: and their
value was Sl3.792, 1881, n decrease in
| amount of $3.50 1926. The number OF
orders paid was 561,1S0, an increase over
| the preceding year of so 263. and their
2S511SO5. From the foregoing statements
il appears that the total issue Of money
orders and postal notes for the year
amounted 10 Sl65,235,l 1885.
The number Of letters and packages
mailed during the year for special deliv-
cry was 3,436,970 The special delivery
stamps used upon these letters and pack
ages amounted 10 S3i3.697 The messen-
gers fees paid for their delivery amounted
to S261 ,209.70; leaving balance IN faVor
| Of tfo government of $50 4Sl so.
| The report shows most gratifying results
in the way Of economies worked out with
out affecting the efficiency Of the postal
| service These consist in the abrOgatiOn
of steamship subsidy contracts, reletting
of mail transportation contracts, and in
the cost and amount Of supplies used in
the service amounting IN all 10 Sl66ls,-
O4742.
The report also contains a valuable
contribution to the history of the universal
! postal union, an arrangement which
| amounts practically to the establishment
/ of one postal system for the entire civ
ilized world. Special attention IS directed
| to this subject at this time. in view Of the
fact that the next congress of the union
| will meet in Washington IN 1897, and II IS
hoped that timely action will be taken In
| the direction Of perfecting preparations for
! that event.
| The postmaster-general Eanevs the sug-
/ arestion made in a previous report that the
| department organization be Increased TO
| the extent Of creating a direct district
| sllpervision Of all postal affairs, and in
| tFfs suggestion 1 fully concur.
| There are now connected with the post
| office establishment 32.66l employees whd
! are in the classified service. This includes
| many who have been classified upon the
| suggestion OF the p0stmaster-genera He
| states that another years experience at
| the head Of the department serves only
| To strengthen the conviction as 10 the ex-
! ceIlent working Of the civil service law in
| this branch of the public service.
| NAVY DEPARTMENT.
| The President in Sympathy with the
Secretary's suggestions.