The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-11-28
INCREASE IN RECEIPTS
Amazing Growth of the Postal
Business.
NEEDED CHANGES IN LAWS
Postmaster osnsral Smith Submits His
Annual Report of the Affairs OF
His observation-disclosures Save
raj Recommendations.

WdSnlnBlOn, NOV. Zt-lue duHudi 9
port of Postmaster General Charles
Emory Smith has been submitted to the
president. Below will be founda brief
extract OF the report, showing the
amount of revenue and expenditures,
and the recommendations made by the
postmaster general with reference to
needed changes in the existing laws.
The report is an exhaustive one. and
covers every detail Of the service.
The report say in part:
The rapid and amazing growth of the
postal business In all its branches Is Its
most striking feature. In 1880 the gross
revenue of the department was s3S ,315.-
419 and h gross expenditure was 1885,
542. 500; the number of Offices was 5000.
and the total number OF postage
stamps. stamped envelopes n wrap
pers. and postal cards issued was l.
361 .397 ,047. In the fiscal year 1898 the
gross revenue was $s9, 0l2.6 SIS. and the
gross expenditure was SOS. 033. 523; the
number of postofices was $4,000. and
the total issue OF postage stamps,
stamped envelopes and wrappers and
postal cards was 4.614. 526. 900. Within
this period our population has increased
about so per cent. while the volume OF
postal business has multiplied nearly
three-fold. The lesson OF improved IA
%cilities. more enlightened methods and
advancing activity is plain.
The financial operations OF the de-
partment for the last fiscal veal are
briefly shown In the following state
ment:
Ordinary postal ss7. SIS. 9s5. 20
Receipts from money-order
business $500. ............ l,l5o,o5J.3o
Total receipts from all
Total expenditure for the
year ........ ...... ......-..S o,o5o'ozo.o
Excess of expenditures
over receipts ..........$ 1920, 800. O6
An analysis OF the above statement
In comparison with previous statements
shows that the postal service during
the year has been economically admin
istered. the general increase of expen-
diture being but little more than that
of the preceding year. Notwithstanding
the fact that nearly a million dollars.
earned In the transportation of the
mails by hat are known as the aided
Pacific Railroad companies was paid
during the year directly out of the de-
partment's appropriations. while last
year and in previous years the earn
ings of those railroads were not count
ed as expenditures. but were simply
certified TO the secretary OF the treas
ury. under the requirement of the law.
as credits In favor of the companies in
their bonded account with the govern
ment.
Total receipts. 1895. were. ss9. 012. 61s. SO
Total receipts. 1897, were. so. 665, 462. %
Increase Of receipts. 1885 6.347 los. SO
II will be seen from the above figures
that there was an increase during the
year In postal receipts OF nearly $780,
600 over the aggregate OF 1897, or over
rs per cent-an indication. IL any such
proof were now needed. that the coun-
try is again in the enjoyment of pros
perity. SO marked are the improved
business conditions that this rate OF
increase is greater by more than pa
per cent than the estimate Of my pred
ecessor.
Total expenditures. 1898 . SOS. 0sS. 523.el
Increase OF expenditures.
1898 ...... .............S 5.s56, 2S1.23
The general rate OF increase for the
fiscal year over that of 1897 was 81
per cent. or. excluding from the state
ment OF expenditures nearly III ,0O0, 600
paid. as already described. for trans
portation OF mails over aided Pacific
railroads, which last year did not en-
ter into the computation of expenses,
the ratio OF increase for the year 1898
was but 81 per cent. which Is seven
tenths Of 1 per cent less han the rate
Of increase for 1897.
1 submit below an estimate of the
and expenditures. which has
been transmitted to the secretary OF
the treasury. for the fiscal year ending
June 80. 1900:
Total postal revenue for
lssS ........ ......... ..so3'Vls,ole.o
Add : per cent .............. 6,230,sSS.2 y
Estimated revenue for
1895 go. .......... $95, 243. Sol. 81
Add 6 per cent ............. 5.714.610.i II
Total estimated reve-
nue. for 1900 .........s 800. 95s, 1l1.sa
Estimated expenditures for