The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1908-12-08
THE PEOPLES SAVINGS.
Should Have Security of Govern.
ment Behind Them,

l again renew my recommendation
for postal savings banks, for deposit
ing savings with the security of the
government behind them. The object
is to encourage thrift and economy in
the wage Garner and person OF mod
crate means. In fourteen states the
deposits In savings banks as reported
to the comptroller of the currency
amount TO $3.50, 245, 400, or aS.4 per
cent of the entire deposits, while in
the remaining thirty-two states there
are only $40 3oS. 543. or 16 per cent.
showing conclusiyely that there are
many localities in the United States
where sufficient opportunity is not
given to the people to deposit their
savings. The result Is that money
Is kept In hiding and unemployed
1t is believed that In the aggregate
vast sums of money would be
brought into circulation through the
fundamentally OF the postal saw
ings banks. While there are only 1,453
savings banks reporting TO the comp
uoller. there are more than $1,000
postofhces, 10000 of which are money
order Offices Postal savings banks
are now in operation in practically all
the great civilized countries with the
exception of the United States.
Parcel Post.
In my last annual message com
nended the postmaster generals rec
ommendation for an extension of the
parcel post on the rural routes The
establishment OF local parcel post
on rural routes would be to the mu-
tual benefit Of the farmer and the
country storekeeper, and ii is desira bic
that the routes, serving more than 15,-
100000 people. should be utilized to the
fullest practicable extent An amend
ment Vas proposed in the senate a.
the last session at the suggestion of
the postmaster general providing that
for the purpose Of ascertaining the
practcability OF establishing a special
local parcel post system on the rural
routes throughout the United States
the postmaster general be authorized
and directed to experiment and report
pertinent by establishing a special local
parcel post system on rural delivery
routes IN not TO exceed four counties
in the United States for packages Of
fourth class matter originating on
rural route or at the distributing post
Office for delivery by rural carriers. II
would seem only proper that such an
experiment should be tried in order to
demonstrate the practlcablity Of the
proposition, especially as the postmas-
ter general estimates that the revenue
derived from the operation OF such a
system on all the rural routes would
| amount to many million dollars.
Education.
The share that the national govern
ment should take in the broad work Of
education has not received the atten-
ton and the care it rightly deserves
The immediate responsibility for the
support and Improvement of our edu.
cational systems and institutions rests
ana shoHid always rest with the people
OF the several states acting through
eneir state and local governments. but
The nation has an opportunity in edu.
cauonal work which must not be lost
and duty which should no longer BE
neglected
The national bureau of education
was established more than forty years
ago Its purpose is to collect and diff.
= iuse such Information "as shall aid
the people Of the United States in the
: establishment and maintenance Of eff
;. clent school systems and otherwise pro-
lnote the cause Of education through
o OUT the country This purpose In no
u way conflicts with the etIncationn,
o work of the states. but NAV be mode
!. OF great advantage to the states ~
II giving them the fullest, most accnra "a r.
e and hence the most helpful infor,a -
i ton and suggestion regarding the best ..,,