The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-06-25

view OF BD10 SO0RCe 0x Not1Oo01 -
cone Varies In DiRerenf IAnas.
The recent strike for higher wages Of tho
Paris postnen brings again into notice the
European governments, some OF them re-
gardfng the postoiYice businegs as an item
CT available national revenue. while others
regard IL as one OF the public utilities
which are maintained for the people In gen.
eraL The French postoffice department Of
which the Paris office IL only q subordinate
branch. costs In a year with the revenues
from teiegraphs included. 10. 90. GO francs,
or 334.06.0D. The revenues Of postal re-
ceipts. telephones and telegraphs were 100
o08o 90 francs in 1aee. or total Of $As. oo0 CO.,
showing = net profit to the government
from these agencies Of communication OF
Sl2.o00.0o. As the French postoffice il
maintained a. q source OF national revo-
nue. and not az Q means or public conven-
:ence. II can be better understood. perhaps.
why II II that the government should exact
the largest possible amount Of labor for
the least pay among It's employees in Paris
as elsewhere.
The British postofIice costs In a year
f7.5o0.0oo and Yields In revenues fi4ooOO 90.
showing a profit Of f4.500. 900. or 81, 500. 000
This. II exclusive Of the telegraph service
under government control. for which the
annual expense Ia about f3.0o0.0o0 or $15.-
000000. and the annual income from which
il abou, the same England makes money
on its postofYices, and its telegraph system
II self-supporting--no more.
The annual revenues from the German
postoifice department, known as reichpcst-
gebiet. are 80 000 coo marks a year. or @6S.-
O00O00 the annual expenses are 90. 600 900
marks q year. or $60.000.0 0. showing . prof
1t Of SS.00o.OO0 . year. which is much less
than is yielded by the English or French
postoffices. but Ii In compliance with the
German policy OF maintaining cheap post
age as IN aid to popular instruction. plan
which has been found to work well ana II.
moreover. made more desirable by the fact
that two Of the minor German political sub
divisions the kingdoms Of Bavaria and
Wurtemburg. maintain their own separate
postoffice systems. applying the net reve-
nues TO their treasures. though these fig
ures are included in the operations OF the
German postofRices generally.
There are nearly 7.50O postofnces in
italy, where the telegraph system ID un-
der government control. The gross reve-
nue. from Italian postofGces last year was
60 600 900 lire and the expenses OF their
maintenance were s.. 100000 lire. showing .
net loss Of 5000. 900 lire, or the equivalent
OF 81 900 900. The Italian postoffices are
run at loss OF 81 900 600 year. partly.
though not wholly. made up from the
yields 1S 900 lire, and costs H.O0o 900 lire
q year. a profit Of 100000 lire. or $4,000
The poetoffice system OF Russia is al
lied with. and a part of. the telegraph
system. also under government control
The revenues amount to 100000 rubles
a year and the expenses OF both are 3d.
10000. showing a net profit OF 100000
rubles a year, or about $5iO0O.000. The
Russian government does not maintain its
postal and telegraph systems with view
Of adding to the instruction OF the inhabi-
tants. 1t runs them as a matter OF BUSH
ness and makes a profit out Ct them
that's all
TIE annual revenues OF the Dutch post
office are $780, 900 guilders, and the an
nual expenses 100000. showing a profit
Of 900 guiiders, or $4,000. The Bel
CLAN postoffce department takes In the
equivalent Of IS .0O0o 900 year and expends
g. 000 900. The Belgian telegraph system
represents an annual income of $1.5o0. 900
and an annual outlay Of $4,000 a year
less.
In the extent of the postal receipts the
United States Is ahead OF all other coun-
tries, and its revenues this year are ex-
pected 10 exceed 500 900 900. a larger sum
than has been collected in the postoffics
In any previous year.-New York Sun.