The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1908-11-30
URGES ADOPTION OF
LIMITED PARCELS
SERVICE
POSTMASTER GENERAL SUBMITS
ANNUAL REPORT-POSTAL DE.
FIciT is GREATER THAN EVER
BEFORE.

WASHINGTON. Nov. 3O.-Postmas
ter General Meyer sent to the presi-
dent today his annual report for the
fiscal year ended June 80, 1908. He
deals with the postofflce deficit OF
S16.873. 222.74 for that period and says
economy Is to be exercised In expendi-
lures In 190S-1909. Mr.. Meyer urges
the appointment by congress of d.
rector Of posts. or deputy postmaster
general at salary of $4,000 per year.
He deals at some length with the
question Of rural free deli<ery, point
ing to the progress that has been
made by II. A limited parcel post is
recommended so that additional rev.
enues can be earned to meet the ex.
pense OF maintaining rural free deliv
cry routes.
A large amount of space Is devoted
to the subject OF postal savings banks
Mr.. Meyer urges the establishment OF
these institutions In connection with
postoffices. He includes figures show.
Ing how postal savings banks are con.
Quoted in other countries, and says
that certain sections of the United
States have no savings banks. Con.
sequently. a large amount of money
is kept in hiding. Authority by con
gress TO establish postal savings
banks. he says, would be beneficial not
only to the people but TO existing fiji.
ancial institutions.
Mr. Meyers report says:
The expenditures for the year ended
while the receipts amounted to sl9l
4lS,66s.41, showing a deficit OF Sl6s
222.74. with an additional loss from
nre burglary. etc, OF s3T.ODo.25. The
year was $7.S93.G51.S4. or 429 per
cent. The normal increase In revenue
Tor several years has been about 8
per cent. The failing OF is accounted
for by the financial disturbances OF the
year.
The appropriations for the present
nscal year are s222.s60.ss2. II is esti-
mated that the increase in receipts will
be about per cent. making the
probable deficit of the fiscal year end :
ing June 80 1903. again over $4,000. 10.
! would again invite the attention of
congress to the wisdom OF establishing
the position OF deputy postmast er-g gen
eral, or director OF posts, Ut a salary
that should not be less than $4,000 per
ness man OF wide experience. who
would hold Office during good behavior,
In order that this rapidly growing de-
partment. with expenditures increasing
year. may have continuity OF policies
for the benefit OF the postal service and
the people OF the United States.
every officer OF the department having
control over an appropriation the ne
cessity for real economy. but none for
such retrenchment as would impair
the efficiency OF the service.
savings In expenditures will be eff
fected by economical administrative
action taken during ,he fiscal years
The rural delivery system continues
10 grow, and on Nov. 10. 1908. there
We're In operation 1856 routes, with
patronage OF more than 5000 600
people. In many states practically the
entire area available for rural delivery
Is now covered with a network OF rural
routes There was. however. great
increase during the past year In the
number OF petitions for rural service in
different parts Of the country.
Rural delivery Is now established on
nearly 100000 miles OF roads through
out the country. During the current
fiscal year the rural carriers Will he re
CURED to travel more than 100000. 900
miles. Thus the necessity for good
roads becomes more apparent.
An evidence Of the growing useful
ness OF rural delivery is the Increased
quality OF mail delivered ana collected.
While no exact figures are now avail
able giving the amount OF mall handled
by rural carriers, II IL estimated to be
nearly 2,0Cg, 100000 pieces for the last
Should the congress grant the de-
partment authority TO utilize rural
routes still further by the establish
ment of n limited parcel post confined
entirely to rural delivery routes II
would then be possible to earn addi-
tional revenue amounting to millions Of
dollars. and at the same time benefit
the farmer by enabling him to have
merchandise delivered when ordered by
telephone or postal card. which would
otherwise not be purchased. II has been
estimated that II every rural carrier
delivered 90 pounds each trip an I'm .
come OF Sl5,O0O.000 would be earned in
one year. Were the postofiice depart
ment a modern business corporation Its
board OF directors would not hesitate
As hours 10 utilize the present machin-
cry and establish a limited local parcel
post on rural routes with such an ad =
ditional income as has been estimated
the department could well afford TO
Increase the equipment where the bust
ness demanded II.
| again urgently recommend that leg -
islation be enacted permitting the
postmaster general to establish postal
savings banks or repositories In CON
pcction with postoffices.
In the 32 states there are many To-
calities where there are +. no savings
banks and In some cases no banks o;
any kind. IL Is there that consider
able money IL held In hiding. which IS
neither absolutely safe nor in circula-
ton for the benefit OF the community.
Postal savings banks would foster
thrift and increase the habit OF saving
in many states and localities where
opportunities do not now exist. and
would In the end serve as feeders 10
the regular stock and mutual savings
banks. where greater returns would
be received. Thus they would be "A
real heneft not only to the people but
also to existing financial institutions
The issue OF postage stamps. known
as the series OF 1902 has been regard
ec as unsatisfactory on account OF the
redundancy OF Inscription and unnec-
essary elaboration.
The bureau OF engraving and print .
inc has prepared drawings embodylng
the portrait OF Franklin on the one
cent stamps and the portrait OF Wash
ir gtqn on the stamps OF all other de-
ical. simple. and dlgnihed
The present arrangements with Can
ade are not entirely satisfactory to
this department. which ~ anxious tn
ccnditions. However tho department
has greatly assisted American publish
ers by securing partial restoration
The " and rs stamps Will be dis
continued. II is believed that. In view
OF the small quantity OF these stamps
used, the 81 stamp will be equally as
serviceahle for all purposes for which
the two higher denominations arc now
,used.
Negotiations with tho postna
general Of Great Britain which wore
commenced during tho ycar resulted
IN the establishment Of q two contain
ounce rate NJ letter postaC" between
tho United States and tho rnitcd king
dofn ~ Great Britain and Ireland be-
ginninv oct / 1908
on Nav 1907 the agreement h-
twccr Canada and this country. which
provided for the transmission OF sec-
countrv and addressed fo- delivery In
the other ~ tho same rates as N al 10