The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-11-16


FALSE FEARS OF PATERxALIsM.
Auditor Casseil, of the postofilce de-
partment, has given to the public
synopsis OF his report made to the Sec
Rotary OF the treasury which contains
some singular suggestions. For in
stance. Mr.. Casseil says that the postal
money order business. instead OF being
self-supportlng, cost the government
$685. beyond what II brought ia dur
ting the las, fiscal year
Commenting on the issue and pay
ment of money orders. Auditor cassell
says II Is not In any strictly legitimate
sense a governmental function. and
adds:
1T is a feature Of banking business,
pure and simple. and IL regarded by
many thoughtful men as dangerous de-
velopment OF state socialism. IL is
wonderfully convenient thin6 for grea,
fnasses of the people. hence II II uniyer-
sally popular. IL IL carried on with such
enlightened skill such diligent enterprise.
and such marvellous success by the de-
parfment officials who superintend its OPP
erations. and BY the local postmasters
and clerks who directly conduct them.
that one who only looks on the surfacs
sees everything To praise and nothing to
condemn.
sOnly the accounting function. which II
Is the duty Of this bureau to conduct. dis
closes the dangerous possibilities that lie
In the general principle involved. And IL
must be frankly. II reluctantly. admitted
49,. Ht.f4A
ties Of fstthisssnsss, csre'essnsss or re-
Taxed vigilance In conducting the opera
tionx OF this Office"
II Ia somewhat surprising TO learn
from this chief OF 4 government bureau
that the Issuance Of a money order To
an American citizen by the postmaster.
of small town where there IL no bank
Is "a dangerous development OF state
socialism" Ths citizen rather looks
upon II as q convenient plan by which
he can transmit small sums Of money
safely and economically. The fact that
he pays for the accommodation at regu~
lar bank exchange rates removes from
the transaction any shade OF paterual-
ism which MIR. Cssseil evidently fears
may become implanted In his mind.
The most astonishing conclusion
reached by Mr.. casseli Is that the
greatest danger lies IN the possible
"faithies.ness. curelsssness or relaxed
vigilance In conducting the operation. O.
ant. .xt~ ~...asss~N .raau 70 thss -,
ger Is imminent. II occurs 10 Us that Il
Is time change WAS made In the head
OF the postoffses auditing department
From this text Dir. cassen goe. on 10
I argue against the establishment of pos
tai savings banks by the government.
and also against a government postal
telegraph system. We 90 not think II
either wise or prudent for the govern
= ment 10 either build or acquire hv rur~
chase telegraph system In connection
With the postof'lea department The
country Is not ready fer n. nor In the
need sufficient tc Justify the enormous
expenditure II would entail
AS TO postal savings tanks. they are
being conducted With great success IN
England. as well IS on the continent.
ana there IL no reason why they should
not be equally a. successful In this
country. They give 70 small degsossicrs
an opportunity 10 place thsir savings ~
perfectly safe hands where ;Aey can ~
easily withdrawn In casa Il need. Their
greatest value, however les IN the fac.
that they set peer geople. aad those
with limited sncou1es IN she habit -
saving II Is cirseus, 10 calculate sAa
benefit tn tbs country which VIII result
from the inculeatsca Of habits ~ thrift.
Industry and saving by these hanks.
The experiences Of ether eounir.s-s r.
this respect VIII Re far exceeded hess
where tire earnings % shs people are
sreas@-. We believe II viii ray the go~~
eminent 10 cry she experiment. and. IL
the business Is conducted az slight
less. TIE grea; advantage gained By
teaching the reogle haaiss Of tariff and