Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1900-12-04
GROWTH OF POSTAL SERVICE.
Extension of Rural Free Delivery-In-
crease of the Navy.

~SNtShsioi VI MURAL Free DeIlVGrY-In-
crease of the Navy.
The continued and rapid growth of
postal service is a sure index of the
great and increasing business activity
OF the country. Its most striking new
free delivery. This has come almost
wholly within the last year. AT the
beginning of the fiscal year 1S99-1sOO the
NUMBER OF routes in operation was only
39l, and most of these had been run
nlng less thar twelve months. On the
10Th OF November, 1900, the number had
increased to 2.614, reaching into forty
TOUR states and territories, and serving
population of 1.S01524. The number
OF Applications now pending and await
ing action nearly equals all those
granted up to the present time, and
by the close of the current fiscal year
ABOUT 5000 routes will have teen estab-
llshed, providing for the daily delivery
OF mails at the scattered homes of
about 100000 of rural population.
RMS service ameiorates the isolation
of farm life, conduces to good roads,
and quickens and extendsth the dissemina-
ton of general information. Experience
thus far has tended to allay the app
prehension that 1t would be so ex-
penslve as to forbid its general adop-
ton or make it a serious burden. Its
actual application has shown that 1t
increases postal receipts, and can be
accompanied by reductions in other
branches of the service, so that the
augmented revenues and the accom-.
plished savings together materially re-
duce the net cost. The evidences which
point to these conclusions are present.
ed in detail in the annual report of the
postmaster general. which with its rec
concentrations, is recommended to the
consideration of the congress. The full
development of this special service.
however. requires such an ort1ay of
money that it should be undertaken
only after a careful study and thor
ough understanding Of all that it in
wolves.
Very efficient service has been rem
dered by the navy in connection with
the instruction in the Philippines and
the recent disturbance in China.
very satisfactory settlement has
been made of the long-pending question
OF the manufacture of armor-plate. A
reasonable price has been secured and
the necessity for a government armor
plant avoided.
] approve of the recommendation of the
secretary of the navy for new vessels
and for additional officers and men
which the required increase of the navy
makes necessary. I commend to the
favorable action of the congress the
measure now pending for the erection
of statue to the memory of the late
Admiral David D. Porter. I commend
also the establishment Of a national ma
val reserve and of the grade of vice ad-
miral. Provision should he made as
recommended by the secretary. for suit
able rewards for special merit Many
officers who rendered the most 6istin-
guished service during the recent war
with Spain have received in return no
recognition from the congress.
The total area Of public lands as
given by the secretary Of the inferior
is approximately 1071 ,SS1 ,662 acres. of
which 917.S95s80 acres are undisposed
of and 154,T45.7S2 acres have been re-
served for various purposes. The pub
lie lands disposed Of during the year
amount to 13,45S, Ss7.96 acres, including
62.42S09 acres of Indian lands, an in
crease of 4,271. 474.S0 over the preceding
year. The total receipts from the sale
of public lands during the fiscal year
We're S.ST9.75S.1O. an increase of 81 $685.
$40. IS over The preceding year.
The results obtained from our forest
policy have demonstrated it's wisdom
and the necessity In the interest of the
public for its continuance and increased
appropriations by the congress for the
carrying on of the work. On June 30,
1900, there We're thirty-seven forest re-
serves. created by presidential proclaim
ations under section % of the act of
March 5, 1891, embracing an area of
46.425529 acres.
During the past year the Olympic
reserve, in the state of Washington,
was reduced 265,040 acres. leaving its
present area at 1.923,S40 acres. The
Prescott reserve in Arizona was in
creased from 1920 acres to 42S,6SO
acres, and the Big Horn reserve, in
Wyoming. was increased from 1.127 $40
acres to 1,1S0,S0O acres. A new reserve,
the Santa Ynez. in California. embrace
ing an area of 600 acres was Great
ed during this year. On Oct 10. 1900.
the Crow Creek forest reserve, in Wy
oming, was created. with an area Of