The Washington times., 1904-12-03
ELF-SUSTAINING
POSTAL SERVICE
Report of Assistant Post =
master General Ma lden.
DEFICIENCY is S8,77s,OOO
This Due Chiefly to Extension of Free
Delivery System-Schedules Of
Mail Matter.

AAUAA 4AaLACAs
That golden, glowing period of the
future when the postal service viii be
.self-susIaiHing is believed to be near al
hand 10y Third Assistant Postmaster
General Madden, according 10 his an
nual report for the fiscal year ended
June 81, which has just been issued.
This much-to- be-desired condition has
rot existed since 1883, and when it does
come there will be great rejoicing
throughout the department.
Notwithstanding the fact that tie de-
fciency is now greater 10y far than ever
before. Mr.. MAIDEN is still optimistic
The deficiency for the fiscal year is
s.. 779. 1872 SO. an increase during the year
of si.2l9 447C3. or 92.53 per cent.
The immense increase in the rural free
delivery service is the cause for almost
doubling the deficiency. During the
years 1901, 1902, and 1903 the increase in
expenditures for rural service was 100
per cent yearly. The last year showed
an increase of $50 per cent, and the
estimate for the present fiscal year is
for an increase of CLOS per cent over
the preceding fiscal year.
Rural Free Delivery.
The increase in the general deficiency
for the last three years is Appropriated
by the increase Of expenditures In the
rural free delivery service. But for this
great expenditure the department would
now be almost self-sustaining.
In speaking of The chances Of self
sustainment Mr.. Madden says:
"It is believed that as soon as the
rural free delivery service is fully es-
tablished the increase in the eXpendl-
lures on account of that service each
year will not be more than the normal
increase for other items of the service.
and that within a short time after such
normal conditions obtain the postal
service viii again be self-suppOTting.
Mr. Madden LAYS especial stress upon
the following points: Deficiency in the
postal revenue books of stamps-in
crease of sales and incidental profit:
second class mail matter-its abuses and
their reformation: Innovations Ia the
service: recommendations-th CONSOLE
dalton % third and fourth class matter;
domestic ties and conditions in the
postal union mails aEd an international
postage stamp.
Points of Report.
Mr.. Madden treats the second class
matter question IN a supplement issued
20 the preliminary report.
The false returns made by fourth-class
postmaster was also dealt with ex-
tensively. Mr.. Madden says il is as
tonIshing 10 know the number OF fourth
class postmasters who resort to the pad
ding 81 their sales account in order 10
gain in commissions. IL has been found
thaL postmt slers or the fourth class
VIII buy stamps themselves and use
them IA payment FOR merchandise
Cases were also eXhumed OF postmas-
tiers selling stamps 10 friends IN oJner
cities. Then claims will be made for
cancellations in the office equal TO the
number cf stamps disposed or Mr. Mad
den declares he is not now prepared TO
suggest remedy though he hopes 10
DO SO soon.
Use of Stamp Books.
The fact that governments of other
countries have adopted the use of books
OF stamps and that the Government
has gained Szzs,5H.54 since the adoption
OF the idea n $780, is taken as complete
proof that the books are practicable
and satisfactory. a condition which was
argued adversely when the subject was
Ilrst preached. The profit during the
past year was 1920, AN increase OF
80 i5iu5 over the preceding year
During the yea second class mail
ma tier constituted 81 per cent Of The
malls, exclusive OF Government frank
while the income frcm it was but one
twenty nth Ct the whole revenue from
an hostages. IL II estimated that first
class mail matter brings Is per cent OF
ihe revenue, second class about ( per
cent third class about Il per cent ana
fourth class matter. about 1 per cent In
Speaking OF second class mail matter
az MADDEN points out that there are
six different rates on matter of this
news agents. There is also seventh
the rate the public has I'm mailing see
ond class matter.
Folly Of Such System.
Mr. Madden points out the folly Of
such "a system. and says there should
bee one or two fiat rates established to
supplement the patchwork system of
the present
For the sake of eliminating the con
fusion which the public has in distin-
gushing the TWO classps MI Madden
again recommends that the third and
fourth class mail matter be CONSOLE
ounces, instead 1f the rate of Z cent for
each ounce. or rs cents a pound. that
has always been in effect
hr, Madden suggests that the delegate
iIom the department 20 the 1 UNIVERSAL
Postal Congress. which meets In Rome
soon. 1c instructed 10 advocate the es-
enlistment Of a. Worldwide rate Tie
also believes that aU Iuterua tiOnaI pos
tagc stamp wOuld make Tho inter-
national service more simple and much
better