The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-12-16
RECIPROCITY FAVORED
RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED BY THE Ma
TIONAL BOARD OF TRADE.
Investigation of Rates Paid Railways
for Carrying Mails Recommendation
Postal Savings Banks Opposed.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 15.-The first mat
ter which came before the meeting of the
National Board of Trade to-day was the
report of the committee on reciprocity and
export trade presented by Mr. Ebersole of
Cincinnati. The resolutions embodied in the
report, and which were adopted, call atten-
tion to the gratifying increase in the export
trade of this country, especially in manu-
featured products, and recommend that re-
ciprocal treaties should be negotiated espe-
cialy with the countries of the American
continent. 1t was also resolved that in the
boards opinion the commercial, manufacture
ing and industrial prosperity of the country
will be greatly promoted by the nearest
practical approach to the establishment of
complete reciprocal trade relations between
the United States, the Dominion of Canada
and the colony of Newfoundland.
From the committee on postal affairs, Mr..
Giddings, of New York. presented a report
which recommended that Congress carefully
look into the matter of the rates paid to
railroads by the government for carrying the
mails with the view of revising such rates
on basis that would be equitable to the
government and to the railroads. The hope
was expressed that a reduction in rates
may pave the way to the Improvement of
the service and the adoption of 1-cent letter
postage, and if the latter is not Immediate
ly possible, at least to secure in the near
future 1-cent local letter postage. In the
resolutions of the committee it was stated
that the law determining the rates for
handling mail matter by rail has not been
modified for twenty years, although freight
rates have declined about So per cent. and
passenger rates about 1715 per cent. The rate
paid to the railroads averages $40 per ton
per one hundred miles, while the rate for
handling miscellaneous freight averages
only 81 cents per ton per one hundred miles,
and the rate for passengers is about $40 per
ton per one hundred miles The report was
adopted.
A report from the same committee was
/ also adopted favoring the enactment of the
loud bill or some similar legislation amend
ing the postal laws relative to second-class
matter, which at the present rates is calcu-
lated to make a heavy drain on the postal
I revenues; also resolution favoring the
negotiating with other countries of q treaty
for the adoption of an international postage
stamp and for the reorganization of our
present parcel post system, whereby much
lower rates can be offered for the transmits
sion of parcels of merchandise.
The committee also reported a resolution
favoring the establishment of a system of
postal savings banks. Several speakers who
at previous meetings of the board had
favored this proposition. stated that, after
q more thorough investigation of the SUBJ
5ect. they had reluctantly come to the con-
clusion that it was impracticable in the
United States at this time. The system, it
was said, had proven almost a failure in
England where a large sum had to be pro-
vided in the annual budget to meet the def
icits. The question was argued at some
length and when put 10 a vote there was
a large majority against the resolution.
A motion was made by Mr. Anderson, of
Pittsburg, for the reconsideration of the
vote on the resolution which was defeated
at yesterdays meeting favoring reduction
of the tax on distilled spirits from Sl.10 to
20 cents per proof gallon. After discussion
the motion was adopted, but a motion 10
lay the resolutions on the table subsequent
~ prevailed. After a quantity of routine
business mad been disposed of the board adj
5ourned TO meet on Jan. %, 1900