New-York tribune., 1901-12-04

tional library of the United States. Already the
largest single collection of books the Western
hemisphere, and certain to increase more rapioiy
than any other through purchase, exchange ana
the operation of the Copyright law. this library mas
unique opportunity to render to the libraries or
this country-to American schoiarship-service OF
the highest Importance. 1t is housed in a bulidlns
which is the largest and most magnificent yet
erected for library Resources are now being
provided which will develop the collection properly
equip 1t with the apparatus and service necessary
to its effective render its photographic work
widely available. and enable it to become not mere
ly centre of research but the chief factor in great
cooperative efforts for the diffusion of knowledge
and the advancement of learning.
CENSUS OFFICE.
For the of good adminstra ton, sound
economy and the advancement of science, the
Census Office as now constituted should be made
permanent government bureau. This would insure
better cheaper and satisfactory work. in the
interest not only of business but Of statistic
economic and social science.
POSTAL SERVICE.
The remarka BILE growth of the postal service is
shown in the fact that its revenues have doubled
and its expenditures have nearly doubled within
twelve years. Its progressive development compels
constantly increasing outlay, but in this period of
business energy and prosperity its receipts so
much faster than it's expenses that the annual
deficit has been steadily reduced from s11,4117Is in
1897 to s3,92S727 in 1901. Among postal ad-
vances the Of rural free delivery wherever
established has been marked and actual expert
ence has made its benefits plain that the de-
mand for its extension is general and urgent
1t is just that the great agricultural population
should share in the improvement of the service
The number of rural in operation is
60o9 practically all established within three years
| and there 5000 applications awaiting action 1t
is expected that the number in operation at the
close of the current fiscal year will reach $500. The
mail will then be daily carried the doors of
100000 of people who have heretofore been
dependent upon distant offices, and onethird of all
that portion Of the country which is adapted to 1t
Will be covered by this kind of service
The full measure Of postal progress which might
be realized has long been hampered and obstructed
by the heavy burden imposed the government
through the intrenched and we'll understood abuses
which have grown up in connection with second
class mail matter The extent OF this burden ap-
pears when it is that while the second class
matter makes nearly three-ffths of the weight of
all the mall it paid for the last fiscal year only
81 294 445 of the aggregate postal Of SILL
631193. If the pound rate of postage, which pro-
duces the large loss thus entaied, and which
fixed by the Congress with the purpose OF
courasng the dissemination Of public information
limited to the legitimate newspapers and
periodicals actually contemplated by the law,
just exception could be taken. That expense would
be the recognized and accepted cost of a liberal
public policy deliberately adopted for iustifable
end. But much of the matter which enjoys the
privilege rate is wholly outside of the intent of the
law, and has secured admission only through an
evasion Of its requirements through lax con-
structon. The proportion of such wrongly in
cluded matter is estimated by the postal experts TO
be one-half of the whole volume Of second class
mail, II it be only one-third or one-quarter, the
magnitude of the burden is apparent. The Post
office Department has undertaken to remove
the abuses far is possible by stricter ap
pication OF the law, and it should be sustained in
its effort.