Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1900-12-14
THE POSTAL SERVICE.
Interesting Extracts from the Annual
Report of Postmaster Gem
crnl smith.

Washington, Dec. I0-Postmaster Gener-
al Charles Emory Smith in his annual re-
port, besides discussing domestic and in
sular operations In the last fiscal year, de-
votes particular attention to the abuses ut
the second class mail matter privileges and
extension OF rural free delivery. He makes
the following recommendations for legisla-
tion: Compulsory separation by publish
ers of second class mail matter: amendment
OF the interstate commerce law to prohibit
telegraph and express companies or their
employees from aiding or abetting in the
green goods or lottery swindles, or any other
wrongful scheme carried on Jointly by mail
and common carriers; punishment OF per-
sons who forcibly attempt TO enter mail
cars, or who assault railway mail clerk
while on duty; authority for post office In
spectors to take out search warrants when
ever necessary; an appropriation for con-
structing inspectors lookouts in post Of
fees wherever the postmaster general
deems them necessary; payment of Incl
dental expenses incurred by local officers
or others in the arrest, detention and keep
ing of prisoners charged with violation of
postal laws until the United States marshal
takes custody of the prisoners.
During the past fiscal year the total re-
ceipts from all sources aggregated Sl02, ,35I,-
S9; total expenditures, N0I,I40,2 ,26S. The eN-
cess of expenditures over receipts was So
S5, $50. The revenues have now passed the
hundred million mark The deficits have
shrunk from 80 .055 for the fiscal year
lS97-9S to s.. .3S5 6SS for the last fiscal year,
decrease of So, ,635 2l1 in three years. notwith-
standing the large expenditures now made
for several new features The estimates
follow: Total postal revenue for 1900 sl02,-
354 519; add ~ per cent. for estimated
Increase year ending June 30, 1901. s.. .676 59S:
total estimated revenue for 1901. $40. .03l. ~.
Add six per cent. for estimated Increase
rear ending June 80 1902 $660l. $50; estimated
revenue for 1902, $ll6, ,633 0i2. Estimated ex-
pendlture for 1902. sl21 276. .349; deficiency for
1902 estimated, si63i,307.
The extraordinary extension of rural free
delivery is characterized as the most far
reaching feature of postal development in
recent times. l. Is a factor, says the post
master general in the social and economic
life, and makes communities feel new
pusation. I'VE are confronted" he says
with the problem of gradually extending
the delivery service over the whole area o.
the country where IL is physically feasible,
or where the population is not so sparse as
to make it unreasonable. The gross annual
cost of maintaining rural free delivery
through such territory is approximately
estimated at $90555 600 1t can be extended
over practically the whole country at an
annual cost of less than $l4.000 eco, allowing
for savings for discontnuance of offices
and routes and increased receipts
The total estimate for maintaining free
delivery during the ensuing year is $780,.
900. The report urges additional postal ia
cilites for New York c.ty. and indorses the
project for hall of records in Washington.