The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1907-12-25
|AsKS NEW METHODS
IN POSTAL SERVICE
Postmaster General Says Up-tO-
Date System is Urgent Need.
RECOMMENDATIONS he MAKES
Establishment Of Postal Savings
Banks Urged For the Benefit Of
the People-Would Pay Two Per
Cent.-ParceIs Post.

the Pcople-Would.P Pay Two Per
Cent.-ParceIs Post.
Washington, D. c. Postmaster
General Meyers annual report draws
attention to the enormous increase in
;he country's postal business by CIV
ing the figures for the last fifty years.
These show postal service receipts OF
sS,053,e52 in 1857, with deficit of
S3,454.106, against receipts Of $751;
585,005 in the fiscal year ended June
80, 1907, when there was deficit OF
S6,653,282. Mr.. Meyer believes re-
ceipts will pass the s350,OOO,0O0
mark in 1917.
In the opinion of the Postmaster
General, the particular and striking
needs of the service to-day. are "up-to-
late business methods, revised sys-
tenn of bookkeeping. permitting the
taking of trial balance, and a per-
manent official corresponding to the
superintendent Of mill or the agent
Of a great consolidated manufacture
ng corporation, who would hold Office
continually, through various admins
Crations." To such an official Mr
Meyer would pay salary large
enough to attract and hold a capable,
experienced business man. New laws
are needed to permit the Introduction
If up-to-date business methods.
Postmaster-Generaf Meyers first
recommendation is the establishment
g I, n1yc
this. he says, first, in order to en-
courage among our people economy
and thrift; second, in order to afford
/ place Of deposit free from any pos
sibility of doubt or suspicion for vast
sums of money which might other
wise be boarded and kept out Of cir
,ulation through ignorance or lack
Of confidence.
"Wherever it nay be, this money
has lost its proper functions, and the
business of the nation not only re-
ceives no benefit from it, but even
the prosperity of the country suffers
and may be eventually destroyed.
Money deposited in postal savings
banks would be absolutely safe, as
.he Government would be back of it."
Mr.. Meyer points out that In the
fiscal year 1907, s72,111,74S was
sent to European countries in money
orders by immigrants, and he adds:
"This money, while it was accumu-
iating, would naturally have been
placed for safety in the postal saw
ings banks. In fact, it has been
brought to my attention that money
Of the immigrants, on account of its
possessors being ignorant of our Ian
guage and suspicious Of our private
Institutions, is being sent home in
order that it may be placed in the
postal savings banks Of their native
countries"
The Postmaster General tells Of
the SUCCESS of the system in Canada,
and says: $685..
"It is recommended that the Post.
naster-General be given authority to
designate all money order postoffices,
and such other postofices as may be
deemed necessary, to receive deposits
Of money for savings; deposits to be
accepted in even dollars, with 81 as
q minimum; postmasters to be re-
guired to receipt for such deposits in
the pass books of the deposits and
to make daily reports thereof to tho
Postmaster-General, who will ac-
knowledge receipt of the deposits di-
rect to the patrons; money deposited
in tho postal savings bank not to be
liable to demand. seizure or deten-
tion under legal processes against the
depositor. Withdrawals may be
made at any time subject to certain
regulations.
"On deposits made in postal saw
ings banks a rate of interest of two
per cent. per annum is suggested, the
deposits to be limited to $500 by any
one person; any individual in the
United States ten years old or more
to be permitted to open an account
In his own name and deposit to his
credit an amount not in excess or
$500. A child under ten years OF
age to have an account opened in his
name by a parent or guardian, but
are not to be made un-
til the child attains the age Of ten.
"That the money deposited in the
postal savings banks may return to
the channels Of trade authority is
asked to place it in the national
banks which are Government depos-
itories in the States where the money
Is deposited in the postoffices. In
with a. number Of presi-
dents of national banks in various
parts OF the country I have been as
Sured that on special deposits of this
charaY >am the Postofice Depart
ment' d allow z rate or In
tere hall per cent.
In &. = the parcel post,
which he .,eSl- aS to see extended.
Mr. Meyer points out that under the
present system aspersoA mailing in
any United States postotfce two par
cells weighing four pounds each must
pay sixty-four cents for the one ad-
dressed to New York and only forty
eight cents for the one sent to for.
eign country. which will usually pass
New York. If tae New York
package weighs more than four
pounds it will be denied the mails.
but the package going abroad may
weigh up to eleven pounds, accord
ing to the country of its destination.
The Postmaster-Gennral recon-
mends rate of twelve cents pound
on domestic parcels