Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-11-13

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The annpal report Of A. ". Nachen,
the general superintendent OF the pos
tai delivery system. which was made
public. this week, IL particularly m
in its showing as to the prog
ress and prospects OF the rural deiiv-
cry movement. Mr.. 4achen Knows
more about this subject than any 9TH
er man. for he has practically managed
1t eince it's inception. To be sure. ne Is
only the executive officer under the d.
rection OF the postmaster general and
Congress. but not a little Of the sue
|cessful development Of the system is
due to Mr.. Machen's ability and judg-
ment.
The rapid growth Of the service Is
shown on comparing Its extent four
years ago and now. For the fiscal year
1888 the appropriation was $4,000. and
the number OF routes in operation was
14S. For the current fiscal year the APP
preparation is 100000 and the mum.
Der Of routes now In operation is II, $50.
These carriers travel 275OO0 miles a
day. serve 1000. 900 Of the rural pOpula-
ton. and the area embraced within
the range Of their service covers 100000
square miles. That ia nearly one-third
OF the entire area Of the country which.
by reason OF it's topography and the
character of it's settlement. is regard
ed as eligible. and which will ulti-
mately be covered.
The total area to which the rural
service can reasonably be applied en-
braces 1000. 900 square miles. At the
present rate of extension this vast ter
ritory. four times the area Of all Ger
many, will be covered by Uncle Sans
daily mail delivery within three years.
1t Is doubtful If any other case can be
found of administrative work of such
magnitude being accomplished in such
a brief period Of time. This completed
service will require about 10000 car
riers and its gross annual cost, not
counting the compromising revenue,
will be about $24.OOO.0OO. The postmas-
ter general in his annual report for 1900
estimated the gross cost at $2O.0O0. 900.
but that was on the basis Of paying the
carrier $500 a year as then. The pay
has since been increased to 5000.
During the year 1902. 12.4O3 petitions
for the service We're filed, making to-
tai on July l last Of 22,646, which ex-
coded by over 1000 the total number
during the preceding four years. Since
July petitions received have averaged
over 6OO a month. With the amount
required for routes to begin Decem-
Der l. the entire appropriation has been
absorbed. leaving on December l, fully
] roo routes for which there is no ap-
preparation available. This number
probably will be increased by January 1
to at least $500. Mr.. Machen says that
to comply. with the demands OF the
people the department will require an
additional appropriations: otherwise
further establishment Of service will be
deferred until July l next. If the addi-
tional funds are granted. 5000 rural
free delivery letter carriers will be in
active service by May 1.
The Philadelphia Press of which ex-
Postmaster General Smith is editor and
which consequently speaks with spec
ial authority on postal matters, earn
estly urges the extension Of the rural
delivery system as fast as possible. In
OF the expense involved it
says:
This great expenditure will newt
ably entail an increased deficit for
few years until the expanding rev.
enues catch up with the swelling ex-
penses. The postal deficit has been
steadily reduced from 81, OOO, 900 in 1897
to a little over $1,000. 900 the last year.
With the vast expansion of the rural
service it cannot be expected that this
reduction can be continued until the
new service has a chance to bring the
great enlargement Of the revenue
which is sure to follow. The growth
of the postal service, both in it's re-
ceipts and its expenses. is amazing.
Only ten years ago the expenditures
were $S1. O0O, 900, and the receipts $1,000
OOO less. This fiscal year the expendi-
lures are $l3sO0O.0OO and the receipts
only little less. In three years the
necessary, inevitable cost OF carrying
on the mail service will rise to $780,
100000 and upward. With this inn
mense and unavoidable outlay it is ev-
ldent that the reform of cutting of
the abuses of second class matter was
none too soon. That re-
form will restrict the expenditure and
It will increase the revenue, working
benefit both ways, and it makes 1t safe
TO enter upon the large legitimate ex-
pansions which are Indispensable.
For large as the expenditures loom
up with the extension of rural delivery,
the revenues will soon overtake them.
The farmers of the United States are
entitled to the delivery of the mails,
1t involves loss or not; but
all the indications are that the rural
service will go far to pay for itself.
One Of the most interesting parts OF
Mr.. Machen's report Is its presentation
Of the effect Of the rural delivery sys.