The times., 1899-12-04

last few years, and possibly with none at
ALL"
OF the service in Cuba the report con-
tinues:
1T cannot yet be definitely determined
whether the postal system will be self
sustaining. The initial expeditures in pro-
yiding offices, equipment. and material have
necessarily been large and will not be re-
peated. Nevertheless the cost of manage
ment has been kept within very reasonable
limits. An exceedingly advantageous and
economical arrangement was made for the
transportation of the mails, and but for
the cost OF setting up the postal establish
ment the receipts would from the first have
nearly equaled the outlay. There is reason
to hope that the ordinary running ex-
penses viii not go much above the actual
revenue. The vast improvement of the
postal service is recognized on all sides
1t has led TO largely increased use Of the
mails; II presents TO the people visible evi-
dence' perhaps more universal and palpabIe
than any other exemplihcation of the be-
nehcent character of American administra-
ton, and not only are its practical results
OF great advantage, but its whole influence
is most salutary"
The reports of the department Of Porto
Rico and the Philippines show that ex-
celIeut work is being done and the service
extended to all parts Of the islands Do
mestie postage rates have been extended 10
Cuba Porto Rico, and the Philippines.
Rural free delivery has been successful
ly tried and the system is in operation in
forty States and one Territory.
Another postofice building IS recon-
mended for New York city, where the
present building is inadequate
The money order system showed an in
crease of $40, 100000 in money orders is
sued last year over the year before due
somewhat to Cuba and Porto Rico. and
the interchange of orders between Mexico,
Russia, and thus country. Money orders
are now made payable in the Unit ed STATES
at the office of issue, thus establishing
mild and very convenient adaptation OF the
European postal savings bank system.
without the payment of interest. Army
pensioners are permitted to cash their
checks at money order offices, which is
found to be great convenience to the vet
erans in many sections of the country.
The business public asks the adoption of
money order system for sums from %
cents 10 $3.50, ordinary stamps to be af-
fixed to represent odd figures, payable to
bearer or payee. at the option OF sender.
and the suggestion meets with the APPROVAL
of the department. seeming to open the
way to the system of postal savings banks.
difficulties in Alaska.
"The material increase in the population
of Alaska has caused the adoption by the
department OF additional means designed
to improve the postal service of that Ter
ritory, but the obstacles to be overcome are
so great that progress in this direction is
necessarily slow and may not become i'm
mediately apparent. Among other expert
mental steps an inspector 0f the depart
ment was detailed to make an overland
trip from valdez on Prince William Sound.
to Eagle, on the Yukon River, distance
OF nearly 500 miles. urgent requests hav-
ing been made for the establishment of
pCstoftices along that route. There were
SO few settlers found in this interior couE-
try, however, that only one office was es-
tablished, but, to provide for the trans
portation Of mails to and from the interior,
and in anticipation of future needs, con
tract has been made for route from VAL
dez, via Eagle, to Circle, entirely over our
own territory.
The full contract service on the long
overland routes from Juneau, via Skaguay
Dawson City, Circle, and Tanana, TO ST.
Michaels was not performed by the con-
tractor, but this was partially Femeded
by the employment Of temporary service
by our postal agent. Additional agents
have now been stationed at several places
and better service is confidently expected
during the coming winter. Winter mail
service by steamer along the southern
coast Of Alaska was provided last year for
the first time and viii be continued.
Automobile service is to have a practical
test in Chicago to determine the feasl-
bility OF transporting mail in this manner
between Offices and trains in cities. II the
test proves successful, such carriers will
be established in large cities.
There were on June 80, 1899, 268 rail-
way pcstoifice routes, aggregating III ,747
miles. employing 8, 400 clerks. who travel
ed 1913. .529.142 miles. To accomplish this
service, 1896 cars and parts of cars were
required, in addition to sixty-three ears
on electric and cable lines, and seventy -one
apartments on steamboats,. These clerks
handled during the year, 13. 351 ,992 725
pieces of mail al increase Of more than 1
per cent over the number disposed of dur
ing the previous year In addition to the
ordinary mail, there were II ,5S7 ,05S pack
ages, cases, and pouches of registered
matter handled. There was but one error
in every 10000 pieces handled. The privi-
lege OF free registry of mail matter by the
executive departments having been some
what abused in the past, the department is
now making an effort TO remedy the evil.
Revision of Criminal Laws.
III connection With lue revision OIL the
criminal laws, a codifcation OF al Statutes
relating to the postal service viii be pre-
sented to Congress. The repeal of useless
sections and such additional legislation as
will be for the best interests Of the service
and the public, Will be requested.
steady effort has been made to improve
the standard of the force of inspectors.
who are of most valuable service to the
department. Of 1904 complaints OF loss
of registered mail during the year 3 1S3
were investigated by inspectors. 3 420 were
found to be false claims, and in 312 cases
the full amount of loss was recovered.
In the loss of ordinary mail there were
received 50, ,124 complaints, an increase of
10 sos over the preceding year. though a
decrease in proportion to the greater vol
ume of business transacted.
The following recommendations VIII be
submitted to Congress
To punish persons who by force attempt
to enter a car or apartment in a car used
for the distribution Of mail, or who may
assault railway mail clerk while in the
discharge of his duties as such.
To provide for the compulsory separation
BY publishers OF seCond-class mail matter.
While the majority OF the publishers have
shown a willingness to undertake this work
at the request of the special officer in
charge of it, a few are unwilling to CO.
operate with the Government in this mat
ter. which saves expense to the department
and facilitates despatch of mail.
1t is also to be asked that the Inter5tat
Commerce law be amended to prohibit
.common carriers TO wit telegraph and ex-