New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-12-31

Ohh JAIL 1IllD0 Ill.,
diminutlon of the Treasury surplus In the interim
will not be regarded undesirable.
The total money in circulation November l.
1905 was in round numbers. s2,427 10000 against
s, 1858. 600 600 on December /, 1902.
SECRETARY sHAw's VIEWS
Secretary Shaw is optimistic regarding the fnan-
cal conditions He says:
Our currency system has been subjected during
nros1eTitv eS"nuraee3 The natural optinis of our
people TO such an extent that property of all kinds
found ready and eager buyers at figures phenom-
of necessity could not last Within a year the
market value of stocks and bonds the proper and
in an amount estimated far in excess of the cost
OF the four years devastating civil war Yet NOT
shrinkage, ii has not affected in noticeable degree
2aTe eahed of no Of @
business failures occurred there has been but
little apparent hardship, and absolutely no fear OF
any depreciation in any form of currency
POsTOFFICE DEPARTMENT.
The Postmaster General. one If the abest busi-
ness men in the Cabinet, sums up the situation
from indications in his department as follows
Postal revenues in a large measure: indicate the
other co1ditio1 and tbs incTease in round num-
bers in the receipts from sl240OOOo0 in 1902 to
$SSGO0OOO in 1893, is a gratifying evidence OF our
are over 10000 annually. an increase of three
cities having this revenue during the last year me
from $1,000 in 1902 "a OO0 in 1909 while the Ino1n
OF money order business transacted was $VfOO0WO IN
1903 as against $50 100000 in 1902. The aggregate
amount Of the postal money orders M nj sa
over 1902 Rural and free delivery service has IN
fac1oSV to the connr and With every indication of
a gratifying return eventually to the government Tor
The esmSted cost Su for city delivery for the Coming
fiscal yea is SO 10000 and for rural free delivery
considered that, in 1881, the entire revenue OF dne
Postofice Department amounted 10 only 1.sSS0W,
the immense progress made can be more readily
appreciated. With deficit this year OF only
surplus o: approximately S12OoOoOo had it not been
pendtnres 18th The department hopes soon to establish
daily postal service between this country and Eu-
national Postal Congress reduction on European
postage from five cents to two cents.
MIR. CORTELYOU's VIEWS
Secretary CorteIyo1 believes his department will
prove Of grea; value in solving labor problems.
He says:
Capitalists and wage receivers are to be treated
on on an equality for in these matters relating to
sentauves. the Department Of Commerce and Labor
must stand in the position OF educational office.
collecting and publishing such information as will
eiiaDe each party to understand more fully the
The department has no executive functions rela-
i've 70 the settlement of labor disputes. 1t cannot
interfere on behalf of either employer or cmploye
IN controversies arising between them.
Whatever enables either party to secure neces-
law. That authority does warrant the depart
ment in publishing any information drawn from
CohdIuonS IN TINS or in other countries which Will
pc helpful in bringing about fuller knowledge and
pelter understanding. Employer and employe are
dependent upon each other and the recognition OF
The welfare of both, and OF the means of assist
cultivated. All possible measures Of educational
nature will be employed 10 induce the represent
on basis which shall not interfere with the gem
This general policy must commend itself to the
wisdom of en'ploy"- and empoye alike. as it is in
In view Of the attention which the subject OF
sraae unionism GommaaGs: and the enQEts mace mace
lions, TO prevent strikes and other industrial dis
method by which disagreements can be adjusted
it is believed that the report Of a special agent
methods adopted in Great Britain and the lessons
they teach, will prove a valuable contribution to
suggestions which can be probably adopted in ou-
own industrial system.
A GOOD YEAR FOR THE FARMERS.
The Secretary of Agriculture up the stua-
ton at the close of 1903 as follows
Continued prosperity throughout the country, par
ticularly among those engaged in agricuIture' IS
SCUM have Il been poc1aTy fortunate in this respect
this year. They are beginning to diversity their
material assistance to them in their production of
rice This year they have produced All the rice the
markets. We also helping them TO produce
The department is also extending a helping hand
TO the South along fruit lines and IN this INDUSTRY
able to Withstand cold weather far better than
those now cult |ateC.
The great Northwest is prosperous. Crops in that
section. the whole. have been abundant, and the
prices for most of the products have been good.
The people in those States mostly out of debt,
and are seeking investments for surplus capital.
They could furnish the money sufficient to build
merchant marine, II they could be assured that the
amount invested would be Il reasonably safe
ture. one Of the most encouraging signs is the
study of agricultural science by the farmers OF the
country.
Agricultural colleges filing up with students
of agricultural science. The mountain States and
the Pacific Coast are developing their varied in
dustries and learning more and about
irrigation. The Department of Agriculture is find
ing crops that will grow under arid conditions with
out irrigation. Ten million bushels of hard wheat
brought from Algeria and Northern Russia where
II thrives with but ten inches of rainfall, were
grown The development of the whole
country gives better markets to manufacturers
and they make excellent markets for the New-Eng-
land and Middle State farmers. The power of the
American farmer to produce economically is steadi-
" and satisfactorily improving.