Heppner gazette. [volume] (Heppner, Morrow County, Or.) 1892-1912, 1906-12-06
MAKE MONEY
ON P0ST0FF|CE
Syndicate Offers 10 Assume Control
of Postal System.
Would Reduce Rates by One-HaF,
Rent Buildings From Government
and Share Profits - Save $780,
100000 Yearly and Wipe Out
Annual Deficit.

Washington, Nov. 27.-Uncle Sam
will be aksed tomorrow to turn over to
a syndicate Of capitalists the conduct Of
the postal business. The joint commit
tee of congress investigating postal
abuses and intrusted with recommend
ing reforms, which has been in session
in New York, resumed its meetings to-
day, and tomorrow w. D. Boyce, Of
Chicago, will 90 before the committee
with bonafide offer made by substan-
tial capitalists to take over from the
government the TOstal business and re-
lieve it Of all the great expense attached.
The offer has several objects. 1t is
true that capitalists have been found
who believe that money can be made
by monopoly Of the postal business.
Whereas the government has failed to
make the Postoffice department a pay
ing institution, the capitalists believe
that by the introduction of business
methods they can put the department
upon dividend paying basis. Wells
Fargo Express company saw enough
money in the monopoly to offer the
government a bonus of $1,000, 900 a
year if permitted to run the postoffice.
The proposition is presented in good
faith and will serve the double purpose
of emphasizing with the public the fact
that there are capable business men in
the country who believe that they can
give the people penny postage and an
excellent service, as good as that per-
formed by the government. The offer
will have the effect Of showing to the
people that these business men, who
will give satisfactory bond, will guaran-
tee to give the patrons Of the postoffice
reduced postage rates, which the de-
partment officials unite in reporting the
government cannot afford to do.
The proposition, broadly stated, is
that the government shall withdraw
from the field Of controlling public
utility and shall place the business OF
transporting and deliver .ng the mail in
private hands, as the express business
is today conducted. The capitalists
who are willing to assume the burden
will pay the government rental for the
postotfice buildings all over the country
and will charge the government regular
rates of postage upon its mail, which is
now carried free under frank and penal
ty stamps.
Mr. Boyce said in part:
"a careful comparison OF rates OF
postage now charged on first and second
class matter, with the rates herein pro-
posed to be put in force will readily
demonstrate that it means an average
saving for the next 20 years to the gov
ernment and general public Of $780,
600. 900 annually.
owe propose to perform all the SER
vices now rendered the public by the
Postoffice department and carry out all
treaty stipulations and contracts and to
take the entire receipts arising from the
postal service as full compensation for
the rendition of all paid services now
performed by the Postotfice department
and pay all salaries and expenses neces-
sary to carry out the terms of such a
detailed contract as will accomplish the
objects sought namely:
"First-The reduction to the public
by one-half Of all postage to be paid on
first and second class matter, or cent
per ounce or fraction thereof of first
class, and y cent per pound on second
class matter, except for weeklies, as
heretofore.
"Second The wiping out of the
deficit annually in the operating of the
postal service as government depart
ment.
"Third-We will pay into the United
States treasury all net profits accruing
over per cent interest on capital in
vested"