Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1900-12-13
The POSt0ffice Department,

The expenditures of the postoffice de-
amounted to over $105, 900, 900. This de-
partment differs from the others that it
has a direct income that almost equals
the expenditures, the deficit the past
fiscal year being only about 5000, 900,
the smallest with the exception of one
year in this decade. The postoffice de-
partment is more specialized in it's work
than the other departments, for it deals
only with ~postofice matters, while the
other departments have a variety of
duties often not even related to each
other.
The principal part of Postmaster
General Emory Smiths report is devot-
ed to a discussion of free rural delivery,
the success of which, despite opposition
from more than one quarter, has been
fully demonstrated. The postmaster
generals ambition is to place the con-
venience and benefits of free mail deliv-
| cry within the reach of every citizen
of the United States. Within the last
six months the number of free delivery
routes has increased from over 800 to
over 1900. New Mexico has not any sys-
tenn in operation, but in Colorado there
| are quite a number. No doubt, as soon
rs this territory attains statehood more
attention will be paid to it in those mat
ters.
The postal system established in the
new possessions of the United States is
very complete, and a remarkable i'm
provement upon the Spanish system
that had been in vogue. What is more
remarkable, the American system pays
for itself. and has greatly increased the
volume of correspondence on those is
lands.
Postmaster General Smith makes the
following recommendations to congress
as to needed legislation:
That an act be passed to punish per-
sons who by force attempt to enter a
car or apartment in a car used for the
distribution of mail. or who may as
sault a railway mail clerk while in the
discharge of his duties as such.
That a statute be enacted providing
for the compulsory separation by pub
fishers of second-class mail matto".
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 unwill-
ing to cooperate with the government
in this matter, which saves expense to
the department and facilitates dispatch
of mail.
That the interstate law be
amended to prohibit common carriers,
to-wit, telegraph and express compa-
MES, or any of their employees, from
aiding and abetting in the green goods
or lottery swindles, or any other scheme
carried on partly by mail and partly by
common carrier. and which is in viola
ton of the postal laws.
That a statute be enacted authorizing
postoffice inspectors to take out search
warrants whenever the same may be
necessary in the prosecution of their Of
fetal duties.
That an appropriation be made for
the purpose of constructing lookouts in
postoffices wherever in the opinion of
the postmaster general they may be
needed.
That provision be made for. the pay
ment of incidental expenses incurred by
local officers or others in the arrest, de-
tention and keeping of prisoners
charged with violations of the postal
until such prisoners can be trans
to the custody of a United States
marshal.