New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-12-11
REPORT ON P0ST0FFICE.
THE DEFICIT s14,57a,5 84.
Mr.. COrteIyou Shoes That 1t Is
Caused By "Franking EUiI."

less concerned about the deficit than the eficiency
of administration For the fiscal 1905 the total
receipts from all sources s152 S26,5S5 and total
expenditures Sl671S1,95s, leaving deficit of
a45725A.
In connection with these figures the Postmaster
General directs attention to the increased amount
~ free matter handled. which he says averaged
isE per cent OF the entire weight carried or loss
N revenue Of s1es22.000. ''Manifestly" he saws.
,,sd the matter carried free been REQUIRED To
have been prepaid, notwithstanding the large ex-
pendtures for the rural free delivery service there
would have been deficit
Answering some of the criticisms which he saws
have been directed against the postal service he
ssvs that much of It overiooks the unusual condf-
ions existing in this country its great extent Of
territory and its widely scattered population With
the introduction OF rural free delivery as yet IN
finished and other details OF postal development in
complete, he thinks it is the part Of wisdom to
proceed conservatvely until the present service IS
more nearly perfected In other words" says he,
at is believed that for the time being attention can
Re more probably devoted TO an improvement in
the service already established than to an i'm
mediate consideration Of such questions the re-
ducton Of the rates Of postage a parcels post,
postal savings repositories postal telegraph and
telephone and kindred subjects"
REMEDY FOR FRANKING EVIL
As remedy for the ranking evil" Of which he
complains. the Postmaster General suggests that
there are sound administrative reasons why 1T
would be business policy for department
20 pay postage upon its mail matter, according 10
its class, than return to the practice Of re-
curing government free matter to be prepaid by
postage stamps IN the way similar mat
ter mailed by the public The weight Of opinion,
he says is in favor Of the plan suggested
modified as to eliminate the necessity of affxinS
Stamps but maintaining the principle that each de-
partrent be charged with the whole expense OF
conducting its business He adds:
From this change there would come some great
advantages the tendency to use the mails Tor mas
be restrained; merchandise, including heavy guam
bslIinS Would be sent by cheaper modes of con
veyaaCei only matter requiring expeditions de-
nsidE a. for goveTnnenf business Would Be sent
K mali and the true relation Of the Postoffce De-
partnent TO the other departments regards actu-
Il receipts and expenditures would be more ao-
curately determined
RATING FOR R9APPOINTMENTs,
Discussing appointments of postmasters. the Post
master General says that under instructions re-
Gently issued careful rating, based on inspectors
reports is given to each pOstoface. and that this
rating carries weight in determining the question
Of reappointments He says that fourth-class post
masters win be retained during satisfactory service
while in the case Of presidential postmasters their
reappo.ntnent will be determined by the ratings
The Postmaster General speaks Of New-YoIk
City as the great distributing point Tor the inteFna
tionsl mail service. The question OF improvement
carefully considered. He states that the generally
Tent Of poetofices in these cities fails to give ade
Quafe facilities. The Chicago postoice he says, is
iamentably deficient in certain essentials.
The work Of purifying the mails the report SHOWS
not connneo 20 IEe SUPP I eEIo4t ~ 4hers
from Of obscene, indecent, and scurTtIous matter
pasted such matter for transmission It adds that
amore strict enforcement OF these statues
The work Of the postof1ce inspectors is praised,
undergrad similar view is expressed with re-
postoflce clerks and letter carriers city
Governmental control of the pneumatic tube sAr-
in the latter case appropriation is asked TO pgr-
chase wagons OF approved pattern for carrying the
NEEDS OF MAIL CLERKS
An increase Of ST per cent in the amount Of
ordinary mail handled, as compared with 1904, is
noted IA the railway mail service. which the Post |
gratifying Inaintenance of efficiency. In the year
seriously injured. Every effort, he says. has been
made 10 surround the clerks with every possible
lafive action that win make provision for clerks
worn out The service and maintain its efficiency
by the gradual elimination Of superannuated clerks.
The present method % determining the rates OF
pay TO transportation companies for carrying the
mails IS not regarded by the postmaster General as
10 not prepared to recommend specific changes he
will afford data which to base future recon-
mendations. He thinks worthy Of serious con-
slderaIlon q suggestion that substantial saving
aEndise by fast freight but that when transported
- what ordinarily IS known as fast MALI such |
matter should pay extra postage.
An appropriation Of $4,000 for sending three ex-
peTienCed postal officials abroad to study foreign |
postal systems is asked.
Interest in the enactment of legislation looking to
the upbuilding and encouragement or the American |
merchant marine is set forth a reason for i'm
tries. and the Postmaster General says that the
iast mail steamers OF other leaving
Of the United states viii more and more absorb
The United States provides an adequate compen-
speed and regularity Of schedule, The unpreoe-
oented expansion Of trade and foreign commerce in
the opinion Of the Postmaster General justiaes
prompt consideration OF an adequate foreign mail
service. Expenditures this end, he says. seem
fully justified.
THE PARCELS POST.
The Postmaster General says an effective do
nestle parcels post system could be organized
SUBSTANTIALLY as express companies conduct their
ether countries. While he does deem it wise
at this time 70 ask Congress for such system, he
aEilesly recommends that third and fourth class
matter be merged at the rate Of one cent for two
ounces In this way, he says, all merchandise par
continue TO be carried at one-half the now
t e9i&'gec and AFFORD great opportunity of dis
ulputlng light packages to a multitude Of places
rot reached by express companies
Dealing with second class matter, Postmaster
General Cortelvou declares the statute TO be inner
sf1ty wrong he bases this opinion the fact
that in tbs last fiscal year the total weight carried
e one cent pound and free 663.1G712S pounds.
II, says he, sit cost the government much as
I'VE cents ii pound handle this matter in the
mails st VIII be seen that the amount paid out
u He recommends thorough review OF the
Whole subject by Congress fat rate, determin-
16e upon the material thing itself he declares is
what IS needed.
AS regards the rural free delivery service, the
sostmaster General expresses confidence that
future legitimate extensions can be accomplished
II lower rate OF expense
AT the end Of the fiscal year, June so there were
a operation eS .131 postofices The number OF en-
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