The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1907-12-13

responuing TO the superintendent Of q
mill or the agent of a great manufac-
turing corporation, who would hold Of
nee continuously through various ad
ministrations. In illustrating the
growth of the postal business during
the last fifty years Mr.. Meyer states
that In 1857 the receipts were $685.
9o2, with deficit of $3,454, LOG, while
In the last fiscal year the receipts were
lS3,5S5 ,OO5, with a deficit Of $685.
2S2. He believes that by 1917 the re.
ceipts will be over $350,OOO,OOO.
United States as Naval Power.
The annual report Of Secretary Met
calf of the navy department affords in
teresting reading to those who think
the United States should take n fore
most place among the naval powers
of the world. The report indicates that
this country today possesses warships
registering a greater tonnage than any
other nation on the globe save Great
Britain. Our closest rival is France
and when the ships now under con-
struction In both countries are COM
pleted the French navy will slightly
exceed ours In tonnage. OF the other
leading naval powers Germany stands
fourth, Japan fifth and Russia sixth.
The secretary calls particular attention
to the high standard of the enlisted
men now In the navy and to the mark
ed Increase in enlistments during the
first four months Of the present fiscal
year over those for the same period in
the year previous. He earnestly recon-
mends provision for the appointment
Of two vice admirals, that our country
may not as often occurs at present,
be outranked on important public oc-
casions by the representatives of ma
lions far inferior to ours in naval
strength.
Prosperous Year For Farmers.
The report of Secretary Of Agricul-
ture Wilson for the year ending June
30 last indicates period of great pros
perity for the farmers of the country.
although in some respects they were
compelled to contend with adverse con
ditions which cut down the crop yield
below the output of former years. In
spite of this the high prices which pre-
vail have made the total value of the
farm products of the country far above
anything heretofore known, reaching
the stupendous sum of 81, 412 100000, or
$657 100000 in excess of the previous
year. The value of the corn crop alone
Is estimated at 81 $50 100000. Atten-
ton Is drawn to the beet sugar indus
try, which in 1892 produced 13, AGO tons,
while last year the output was 100000
tons. The rice crop was 9S per cent
above the average for the three preced-
Ing years. This country now exports
more rice than 1t imports. The opera
lions Of the meat inspection service
during the year showed an inspection
Of 5O,999,034 animals, of which 149, 792
carcasses and 529,S76 parts were con-
demned for disease or other causes.
The cost of this inspection was So, $780,
474.
Canal Bond Sale Closed.
The opening of proposals for the $780,
100000 of Panama canal bonds showed
several times over and that good fig.
ure, well above the market price, would
be realized for the securities. While
the official figures were not obtainable.
1t was thought that the average price
would prove to be about 104 The al
lotment of the bonds will be at the
discretion of the secretary Of the treas
ury.
Cortelyou's Report Out.
The annual report of Secretary of the
Treasury Cortelyou recounts the eff
forts made by him to avert n serious
money panic and asks congress to do
something to give the country a more
elastic currency, but suggests no def
mite measure. The total receipts were
$S46, 725,S39, and the expenditures were
$762, 4SS, 753. For the current year the
expenses are estimated at $500 ,025,5S1
End the revenues at 1914, 025,5S1.
Destroyers Start Cruise.
The second flotilla of torpedo boats,
which is to precede the battleship
squadron on the great cruise to the
Pacific, began the voyage Dec. /. sail
ing from Norfolk, where the battle
ships are now assembling.