Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1907-12-27
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Dlual repOrt makes several
mendations for increasing the efficiency
ard extending the scope OF the work
of the Postoffice Department. Chler
among these Recommendations was tnat
for the establishment Of postal savings
banks. Mr.. Meyer would have every
may be deemed necessary, designated to
receive deposits in amounts of not less
than 81, but the amount of Individual
accounts lie would limit to $500. On
! these deposits interest at the rate or =
pei cent should be allowed. A material
extension of the parcels post service Is
Urged. a recommendation is also made
for more up-to-date business methods
and a revised system of bookkeeping.
He also suggests a permanent official
corresponding to the superintendent OF
mails or the agent of a great manufac-
turing corporation, who would hold Of
fee continuously through various ad-
ministrationa. In illustrating the
growth of the postal business during
the last fifty years, Mr.. Meyer states
that in 1857 the receipts were $685.
952, with a deficit of $3.454, LOG, while
the last fiscal year the receipts were
S1S3,5S5, 005, with a deficit of $685.
$50. He believes that by 1917 the re-
! ceipts will be over $4,000 1000.
One of the features of the annual re-
port of Gen. +. c. Ainsworth, adjutant
general OF the United States Army,
which has called forth no little COM
ment throughout the country, is the
statement that if present conditions
continue there will be nothing for the
government to do to secUre men for
the military service but 70 materially
increase the pay Of enli%ted men or re-
sort to CONSUMPTION. The report shows
that the deficiency below the author
lied strength of the army 0 II Oct. Is,
1906, was S,046, while in October, 1907,
| it was 2O.535. Among the reasons Civ
IN for this falling off is the strong
| competition which the government
encounters from private employers,
who offer higher pay and more attract
i've conditions.
f ..
The annual report of the Isthmian
Canal Commission, recently made pub
lie, shows expenditures up to date Of
$4S,2S5,SSO.37, and indicates crafty
ing progress in the work. On June 30,
1907, the total force Of skilled and un-
skilled laborers was 29,446, an increase
of 10000 over the previous year. The
death rate among employees for sever
al years past shows a marked improve
| ment in health conditions, mainly due
to sanitation, better housing facilities
and better food supplies. The report
| strongly recommends the continuation
of the work by the National Govern
ment direct and not through a con
tractor or syndicate of contractors.
-:
Despite denials IN the part Of gov
eminent officials, there is a persistent
report that the United States Govern
ment has purchased from the Wright
Bros. the control of their Heavier
than air. flying machine. The Wrights
have been in Europe for some time,
and it was generally supposed that
they were negotiating for the sale Of
their machine to foreign governments.
Much secrecy is thrown about the sub
ject, but it is apparent that the gov
eminent is interesting itself deeply in
the problem of air navigation.
At the direction of the President q
special commission, consisting of Law
renee O'Murray, Assistant Secretary Of
Commerce and Labor; Herbert Knox
Smith, commissioner Of corporations,
and Charles P. Neill, United States la
Dor commissioner, started for Gold6eld,
New, to investigate the labor conditions
at that place and to determine whether
there is necessity for the presence OF
tie United States troops recently or
dered there at the request Of Gov.
Sparks.
80:
Bids to the amount of $50, 700, 900 Of
bonds have been accepted by Secretary
Cortelyou Mt an average price Of 1O3,
and nearly all of the accepted bids are
from national banks which were in q
position to take out additional circula-
tfon at once. 1t was thought that the
5 per cent certificates would not a1ceed
S15. 100000. The Secretary says that
the Improvement justifes him N limit
ing both the new issues.
The opening of proposals for the $780,
100000 Of Panama canal bonds showed
that the amount had been subscribed
several times over, and that a good fig
ure, well above the market price, would
be realized for the securities. While
the official figures were not obtainable,
it was thought that the average price
would prove to be about 104. The al
lotment of the bonds will be at the dis
erection Of the Secretary Of the Treas
ury.
Rear Admiral M. e. Mason. chief Of
the Bureau of Ordnance Of the Navy
Department, in his annual report
strongly urges legislation that will au.
thorize the department to purchase
ordnance, projectiles, powder and tor.
%sdoes in limited quantities abroad
x1ch material to be admitted free OF
duty. This recommendation is based