Bismarck daily tribune., 1908-12-09
THE PEOPLES SAVINGS.
Should Have Security Of Govern.
T.. ment Behind Them.

| 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, ,4O2, or 9S.4 per
cent Of the entire deposits, while In
the remaining thirty-two states there
are only $70,30S, ,543, or 1.e 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.
It is believed that in the aggregate
vast sums Of 4 money would be
brought into circulation through the
instrumentality Of the postal saw
ings banks. While there are only LABS
savings banks reporting to the comp
troller, there are more than 81 900
postofices, 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 I com.
mended tho postmaster generals rec
ommendati0n for an extension of the
parcel post on the rural routes. The
establishment Of a local parcel post
on rural routes would be to the mu-
tual benefit Of the farmer and the
country storekeeper, and 1t is desirable
that the routes, serving more than 15,-
100000 people, should be utilized to the
fullest practicable extent. An amend
ment was proposed in the senate at
the last session at the suggestion Of
the postmaster general providing that
for the purpose Of ascertaining the
practi ticability Of establishing special
local parcel post system on the rural
routes throughout the United States
the postmaster general be authorized
and directed to experiment and report
to the congress the result OF such ex-
pertinent by establishing 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 q
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 practicabiIity 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 1t rightly deserves.
The immediate responsibility for the
support and Improvement of our edu-
| cational systems and institutions rests
and shonld always rest with the people
OF the several states acting through
their state and local governments, but
the nation has an opportunity in edu-
cational work which must not be lost
and duty which should no longer be
I neglected.
The national bureau Of education
was established more than forty years
ago. It's purpose is to collect and diff.
fuse such Information .as shall aid
the people Of the United States In the
establishment and maintenance OF efIi.
cient school systems and otherwise pro-
mote the cause of education through
out the country This purpose in no
way conflicts with the educational
work Of the states, but may be made
OF great advantage to the states by
giving them the fullest, most accurate
and hence the most helpful informa-
ton and suggestion regarding the beat