The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-01-11
POSTAL DEFICIT
GROWING APACE
REPORT OF POSTMASTER GEN
ERAL FOR PAST YEAR.
Progress in the Regulation OF Second
Class Mail Matter--Growth of the
Rural Free Delivery System Salts
factory - Many Recommendations
for the Improvement OF the Postal
Service.

Washington. Jan. lit Is esti-
mated by Postmaster General Payne
that the deficit in the revenue of the
postoffice department for the fiscal
year Of 1904 will amount to $7,2O6,-
906. In his annual report for the
year ending June 80. 1903, Mr.. Payne
shows the receipts were $134, ,443,
and the expenditures $13S,784,4S7,
leaving deficit of s4,560,O44, against
a deficit of S2.937,649 for 1902.
In regard to the abuses OF the sec
ond class privileges, the postmaster
general says all publications which
are in fact book and not periodical
publications. have been relegated to
the third class. as the statute intends;
the news agents return privilege
justified by the statute has been put
upon the sample copy privilege; al
legged newspapers" and periodicals
legged newspapers and periodicals
prises have been placed in the third
class, and pretended subscriptions
made in bulk have been refused sec
ond-class privileges.
The Rural Service.
During the fiscal year 1858 rural
free delivery routes were established,
making total Of 1919.
On July 1. 1902. there were pend
Ing 11,72S petitions. During the year
$3.50 cases were made up for inves-
tigation, Lila cases were reported
adversely and $3.50 routes were es-
tablished, leaving 11,700 petitions
pending.
1t is recommended that rural car
riers be restricted to the discharge or
their official duties, the same as city
carriers, and that a compensation
commensurate with the service per-
formed be given.
Bureaus Reorganized.
the integrity of certain officials has
resulted in a complete reorganization
of some of the bureaus, and 1t IS
hoped has eradicated all dishonest
irregular and criminal practices
The following recommendations for
legislation are submitted:
That where a clerk or letter carrier mas
been twenty-five years in the service and
shall have attained the age Of Sc years.
the postmaster general shall be empoW-
cred upon the recommendation OF the
postmaster. to employ a substitute to re-
ceive not to exceed two thirds Of his sal
ery, the other one-third to go to such clerk
or letter carrier.
TO establish a system OF postal checks.
To prohibit the establishment Of boxes
to be rented without authority from the
department.
A penalty for the mailing Of explosives
Penalty for counterfeiting official post
marks.
To prevent furnishing to the department
supplies manufactured by convict labor.
For the payment OF $1,000 to the Legal
representatives Of every railway mai
clerk killed in the line Of duty substitutes
as well as to regulars.
Salaries of clerks Of classes two and
I three in full railway postoffices In
crews where four or more clerks run over
the entire length Of the line to be in
creased from 5000 per annum to $1,000 pei
I, aunum and from $l,o0O 10 Sl,AoV per an
/, mum, respectively.
monthly salary of not less than $3(
, for each substitute clerk In the railway
mail service.
Changes Needed.
Annuities to railway postoffice clerk
who are permanently disabled.
To consolidate the third and fourtl
classes and fix the rate of postage at
cent for each two ounces or fraction there
Of.
To authorize the mailngs Of large guam
: titles of Identical pieces OF printed matte
and small articles of merchandise withou
the necessity Of affixing postage stamp
! to the Individual pieces.
r The appropriating Of $500, 900 for the in
( Btaliation of additional rural free-deliver
Z routes.
4 Assistant postmasters and other en-
Z ployees to give bonds to postmaster
=1 direct.
IN The interstate commerce law to b
II amended to prohibit telegraph and expires
companies-from aiding and abetting
the green-goods or lottery swindles.
Fl. To investigate the feasibility of tele
4. phone service in connection with rur,
T free delivery.
T. To exclude from the mails all matte
!. relating to guessing contests
Z To prohibit the use Of the postal servic
i for the promotion Of gambling schemes.