Free press., 1901-12-07

''The remarkable growth Of the postal ser
vice is shown in the fact that its revenues
have doubled and its expenditures nave near
Iy doubled within twelve years Its progress
sive development compels constantly 1ncre2s-
ing outlay but in this period of business en-
ergy and prosperity its receipts grow so much
faster than its expenses that the annual de-
felt has been steadily reduced from SA,4ll,-
10 in 1897 to SO 923 727 in 1901 Among recent
postal advances the success OF rural free
delivery wherever established has been SO
marked, and actual experience has made its
benefits so plain, that the demand for Its ex-
tension is general and urgent
Growth of Postal Service.
.sIt is Just that the great agricultural popu-
latfon should share in the Improvement Of the
service The number of rural routes now IN
operation is 6,e09, practically all estaolsned
within three years, and there are 5000 apph-
cations awaiting action 1t is expected that
the number in operation at the close OF the
current fiscaI year win reach 5000. The mail
will then be daily carried to the doors OF
:, 700, coo of our people who have heretofore
been dependent upon distant offices, and one
third of all that portion of the country which
is adapted to it will be covered by this kind
of service.
Second-CIass Mail Matter.
1.-THE full measure of postal progress which
might be realized has long been hampered
and obstructed by the heavy burden imposed
on the government through the intrenched
and well-understood abuses which have
grown up in connection with second class
mail matter. The extent OF this burden ap-
Dears when it is stated that while the sec
ond-class matter makes nearly three-hfths OF
the weight of all the mail, it paid for the
last fiscal year only S4,294,445 of the aggre-
bound rate of postage, which produces the
large loss thus entailed, and which was fixed
by the Congress with the purpose of encour-
aging the dissemination OF public informa-
ton, were limited to the legitimate news
papers and periodicals actually contemplated
by the law, no just exception could be taken.
That expense would be the recognized and
accepted cost OF liberal public policy de-
HberateIy adopted for a justifable end. But
of TT1o ma ter VII N l.
legged rate is wholly outside of the intent OF
the law, and has secured admission only
through an evasion OF its requirements or
through lax construction. The proportion OF
such wrongly included matter is estimated
by postal experts to be one-half of the whole
volume OF Second-claSs mali II II De only
one-third or one-Quarter. the magnitude OF
the burden is apparent The Postofhce De-
partment has now undertaken to remove the
abuses so far is possible by stricter ap-
| plication Of the law; and it should be sus-
| tained in its effort"
| hopes of beneficial results the proceedings OF
| the Pan-American Congress, convoked at the
| Mexican capital The delegates Of the United
| States are under the most liberal instructions
! to co operate with their colleagues in al
matters promising advantage to the great
/ family OF American commonwealths, well
in their relations among themselves IL
! their domestic advancement and in Jheil
! intercourse with the world at large.
| The occurrences arising from the Boxer
! outbreak in China are reviewed in detail, and
| the steps taken to secure to the United States
| its share of the trade of the Orient ex-
planned. The message concludes:
| The death of Queen Victoria caused thu
| people of the United States deep and heart
| felt sorrow. to which the government gave
! full expression. When President Mckinley
| died, our nation in turn received from every
! quarter of the British empire expressions o
| grief and sympathy no less sincere. The
! death of the Empress Dowager Frederick o.
! Germany also aroused the genuine sympathy
! of the American people; and this sympathy
| was cordially reciprocated by Germany wheI
| the President was assassinated. Indeed from
| every quarter of the civilized world we re-
! ceived at the time of the Presidents death
| assurances of such grief and regard tt
| touch the hearts of our people In the mids
| of our afflictiOn reverently thank the AL
| mighty that we at peace with the nation.
| of mankind; and We firmly intend that ou1
| policy shall be such as to continue unbrokeI
| these international relations of mutual re
| spect and good will.
| THEODORE ROOSEVELT.
| White House, December g. 1901.