Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-03-19
AN EXPENsIvs PRIVILEGE
Mr.. Cortelyou's Estimate of What
Franking Costs the Government

Inc news that the postal administration
OF the Philippines has entirely abolished
the ranking privilege in the islands MAX
ing IL necessary that every piece of mail
matter, whether private or official bear a
postage stamp, although, of course having
no official connection with the Post Office
Department. owing to the fact that thu
philippines postal service comes entirely
under the direction of the War Depart-
ment has nevertheless been received with
interest In the office of the Postmaster Cen
eral. The reason is that this is exactly
what Edwin c. Madden, third assistant
postmaster general. strongly advocated for
the United States in his annual report for
the year ending June 30. 1908, upon which
Mr.. Cortelyou placed his approval The
matter is now in the hands of Congress
The whole question Of government free
matter In the mails was treated at some
!ehglh by MI, Cortelyou In his latest report
to the President. He said in part:
The act of March 3, 1873 abroRated the
ranking privilege and required payment of
postage on all matter mailed by the execu-
tive departments of the government This
law was fully operative during the wears
1874. 1876 and 1876 and the average amount
OF postage received in those years was as
IoIlows: From official matter 81 $50 57S 81:
from matter mailed by the public s23 $780,
1850, the latter constituting "a rs per cont
OF the postage revenue.
Assuming that the quantities of Official
..i'''"i anu tildt IHdileu Dy the public
linue proportionately the same, and apply
this percentage to the postage revenue re-
ceived from the public in 1904 (sl37747.-
o2o.OS) we have, in round numbers 81 S93 600
as the loss of revenue on mailings of of
clal matter during that year. This estl-
mate, however, Is no doubt considerably
less than the actual amount because the
several acts of Congress restoring the
ranking privilege and authorizing the use
OF penalty envelopes have broadened the
scope of official matter and its ratio TO
matter mailed by the public has increased
proportionately. There has been likewise
In later years an increased activity in the
government departments. These causes
nave greatly augmented the quantity of
mail carried free, shown by the report
oI the weigh of all mails in 1899, which
gives more accurate basis of calculation
IL appears from this report that govern
ment free' matter. exclusive of equipment
instituted lbs per cent of the entire
weight carried, and applying this ratio TO
the revenue from matter mailed by the
public during the year 1904-which accord
ing 10 that report is S7.42 per cent of the
entire weight carried-the ranking and pen
atty and privileges are found TO have coca
stoned, in round numbers. an estimated loss
In revenue OF SIG, 922 co.,
General Madden was asked this morning
for statement of his views on the action
OF the insular bureau in regard to Philip
pines postage. but he merely referred the
inquirer to his report and that of Mr. Cor
telyou.
Congress has these recommendations "
he said, land / can say nothing more on
the subject. The Philippine question IS en-
ureiy without my Jurisdiction