New-York tribune., 1907-12-01
THE POSTAL SERVICE
Mr. Meyer Recommends Reform
Sarings Banks and Parcels Post.

Washington Nov 30-Postmaster General Meyer
IN his annual report made public to-day calls at
tentiou TO the increase In the business OF
the department and Judging from the figures Of
the last fifty years predicts that the recepts VIII
exceed $3.50 900 900 In 1871
The particular and striking needs In this I'M
nlense business institution of the government ne
SAYS ARE up-to-date business methods, q reViseo
system of bookkeeping. permitting tho taking OF
trial balance. and a permanent official, CORE
snondine 10 the slperinterdent of a mill or the
agent of "a great consolidated manufacturing cor
poration who would hold office continuously
through various administrations IL Is OF httle
consequence whether he be known as Deputy fost-
master General or director of posts, out salal!
of not less than slOO 600 should be provided TO COM
maud a business man Of wide experience VINO
would become familiar with the various bureaus
Of the Postoffce Department and act as an e"peI'
adviser to the head OF the department THIS would
insure a continuity OF the policy OF the depart
mont which is necessary in bringing about the best
results to the service The methods at the present
time are lacking in economy ana dlrecihesS' iiIV
organization and system Whsch WORKED sauSldO-
torII,, MANY years ago now out OF date and ~
adequate TO the present increased requirements
Tie recommends tho establishment of postal saV-
incs banks in order TO encourage economy anu
thrift among the people of the country anu |"
afford a place of deposit free from any possibility
of doubt or suspicion for vast sums OF money winch
,,iybt otherwise be boarded and kept out of crcu-
latjon through ignorance or lack of confidence
and adds:
II Is recommended that the Postmaster General
30 giyen authority to designate all money oruer
nost1Aices and such other postofnceS as may ne
p5 ecassary TO receive deposits of money for
ooy,iros denosfts to accepted in even dollars.
v,ith q as minimum; postniasters to be required
for such deposits IN the p2SSDookS oi
the depositors and to make daily reports thsreof
~ fhe T,ostr4la ster General. who Will acknowledge
eut of the deposits direct 10 the patrons, money
isnositcd in the postal savings bank not 10 DC
~ 81 to demand seizure detention under legal
nrocasses against the depositor WITHDRAWALS ni;Iy
h,a ,nada at any time subject to certain reguia-
~, danCS
a rate interest OF per cent Is SusgeSteu, tllo
danosits to be limited TO 500 10y any one person;
am, Individual in the United States ten years o!u
he permitted 10 open an account III i'tS
0wn name and deposit to his credit an amount
NOT in exces; of $500. child under ten years OF
age TO have account opened in his name py 4
made until the child attains the age of ten Th4t
The money deposited in the postal savings banks
may return to the channels of trade. authority IS
asked 10 pIace IL in the national banks Wnlch are
money is deposited in the postofhces
Extension of the parcels post system is urged
with a special system rural free delivery routes
OF ocean mail service Nj. Meyer says:
Owing To the want of American steamship lines
IA soutb America our mails Obliged in many
INSTANCES particularly in the cases of Brazil ana
Argentina To be forwarded via Europe Thereiore.
own flag direct those countries and 10 tue
orient as well | urgently recommend more liberal
terms than those provided for ny tls ac' al "a'Vl
8 1891.
In the year i5s fraud orders were issued, saving
ia ta public tie Postmaster General SAYS an ur-
usually large amount of through the eX-
nos1Ire of svndlers. The postal revenue Tor the
fiscal wear ended June % sisS5se,eS and th''
- peniltres ware sse,ee5et2. leaving dcheh i'f