St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1896-02-25
REPORT ON POSTAGE.
The Chamber Hears From the Mer-
camille Committee,

The chamber Of commerce, in line with
the G @ e S prediction, adopted yes
terday, by unanimous vote, the re-
port prepared by Postmaster Castle
which agreed that one cent postage is
a good thing, but that improved mail
service is better. The substance of the
report appeared in yesterdays G O e.
with the exception Of the following:
correction Of the basis of the transmits
sion of second-cass mail matter whereby
hundreds of thousands of tons Of alleged
periodical literature is now annually trans
ported in the mails at less than one-eighth
the actual cost of transportation, is re-
form which we should all unite in urging.
just compensation to the postoffce department
for the thousands of tons of matter transport
ed for other departments of the government
without charge, should also be insisted on.
These two reforms would go far toward max
ing the postofice department on it's present
basis self-sustaining; then the revenues
increased in the natural course of events
can be made. The service could be brought
up to that high standard which all those
engaged in it admit to be possible and de-
ssirable. When all this is accomplished and
surplus then ensues, it will be time to Sc
riously talk about a reduction Of letter post
age to one cent, but the time has not yet
come.
One director only voted against the
adoption of the following report from
the committee on taxes, city and county
officials:
Your committee on taxes, city and county
officials, would respectfully report that in ac-
eordance with the resolution of this chamber
passed on last Monday morning they have
taken steps to associate with themselves rep
resentatives from the different bodies named
therein, the whole to constitute an advisory
committee to the assessor, while the assess
ment upon real and personal property for
the years 1896 and 1897 is being made.
Your committee would also respectfully re-
port that at their meeting held Friday, they
determined, in consultation with the county
assessor upon the following estimate as to
the additional cost of such assessment, if
made in such a manner as to commend itself
to taxpayers and to stand review by the
board of abatement and the state board of
equalization:
For clerical work preparatory to having
property viewed and valued on the ground
Fifty men for fifteen days, at $3.50 per
For Outside work p go
Fifty men for thirty days at $3.50 per
Additional, if rate is So per day......... ESQ
For fifty boys at 80 cents per day for
ILL I'd .:............... 100
Additional for county. Observation-Disclosures. 900
To hiring an expert as personal aid to
Mr.. Seng, four months, at $3.50 per
To hiring two frst-class men for SUPER
Visory office work, four months, at 500
per ohln......'......s.. ............-. 800
Aoeai ..'.'......... ................. .S9, 115
In view of the above estimate it was re-
solved to apply to the board of county COM
missioners for the additional sum of So 900 to
defray the cost of the assessment and this
board is respectfully requested by your COM
mittee to approve of the estimate and indorse
such application.
The committee on insurance and fire
department, which had considered the
resolution introduced by Director Nor
row in regard to employees in the build
ing inspectors office, recommended that
the inspector employ in his department
only experts in their several lines. This
course was essential to good results.
The chamber adopted the report
Mr.. Morrow then called attention to
the evils inflicted on established bust
ness by the operations of the travelling
retailers who come to the city and re-
main but few weeks, around the hoI-
iday seasons, thereby making serious
1nroads upon the business conducted by
resident merchants.
Mr.. Smalley said that the subject was
one which fully deserved the directors
consideration. The question was re-
ferred to the mercantile committee.
Favorable letters were read acknowI-
edgfng the receipt of the chambers res
olutions on International arbitration
and the subtreasury scheme by Con-
gresham McCleary, Tawney. Kiefer
and Heatwole and Senators Nelson and
Davis.