Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1908-11-30
POSTAL D[ACN LARGE
Postmaster Generals Annual
Report Shows Shortage OF
S1G,91o,278.99
ARGUES FOR PARCELS POST
Won Meyer Believes Postal Revenues
Would Thereby Be Increased-Rura'
Route Deficit and Salary Increases
Postal Savings Banks and Other Re-
concentrations.

Washington, Nov. S0.-Postmaster
General Victor Won l.. Meyers annual
report to the president shows a de-
felt of s16,91O,27S99, the greatest de-
felt in the history oflthe country. Inc
report follows. in part:
washington Nov. 30, 19OS.-To the
President: / have the honor to present
the annual report of the postmaster
general for the fiscal year ended June
80, 1908.
1.-THE expenditures were S2oS, ISL $780,
Is. while the receipts amounted to
$1a1,4Ts. 663.41, showing Il deficit OF
S16,S73,222.74, with an additional loss
from fire. burglary, etc, of S37 20.
The increase in receipts over the pre-
vious year was s7S93,657.S4, or 429 per
cent. The normal increase in revenue
for several years has been about 9 per
cent. The falling off is accounted for
by the financial disturbances OF the
year.
''rhe appropriations for the present
fiscal year are $222 ,960,S92. 1t is esti-
mated that the increase in receipts VIII
be about per cent, making the prob
able deficit for the fiscal year ending
June 80, 1909, again over s16,000,OoO.
Wants Director of Posts.
Il would again invite the attention
of congress to the wisdom of establish
ing the position of deputy postmaster
general or director of posts, at a salary
that should not be less than $4,000
per annum, in order to command
business man of wide experience, who
would hold office during good benav-
Tor, in order that this rapidly growing
department, with expenditures increas-
ing at the rate of more than $13,O0O,OOO
a year, may have a continuity of pol
icies for the benefit of the postal serv-
ice and the people of the United
States.
THE rural delivery system contin-
ues to grow, and on Nov. 10, 1908, there
were in operation 39.516 routes, with
a patronage of more than 100000
people. In many states practically the
entire area available for rural deliv-
(
rural routes. There was. however. a
great increase during the past year in
the number of petitions for rural serv-
ice in different parts of the country
Rural delivery is now established on
nearly 100000 miles of roads turnout
the country. During the current fiscal
year the rural carriers will be re-
luired to travel more than 200,000,000
miles. Thus the necessity for good
roads becomes more apparent
An evidence of the growing useful
ness of rural delivery is the increased
quantity of mail delivered and collect
ed While no exact figures are now
available giving the amount Of mail
handled by rural carriers, it is esti-
mated to be nearly 100000 pieces for
he last fiscal year.
The expenditure for the fiscal year
ended June 80, 1897, was $14,s4O, while
or 1908 it was $34,361 ,463 What the
will be ten years from now
t is startling to consider.
Revenue Getting Plans.
Should the congress grant the de-
oartment authority to utilize rural
'outes, still further by the establish
nent Of a limited parcel post confined
to rural delivery routes, it
would then be possible to earn addi-
ional revenue amounting to millions
If dollars, and at the same time benefit
he farmer by enabling him to have
delivered when ordered by
telephone or postal card, which would
otherwise not be purchased. Frequent
y consumption is reduced owing to
to secure articles at the time
hey are wanted. The reason for in
creased consumption in the cities is
hat goods are accessible and are in
delivered to the purchaser.
The rural parcel express is to be con-
med entirely to rural routes, and there
would be no cost to the government
or railroad transportation
NO merchant or dealer not a bona
ide resident of the town in which the
distributing postoffice is located or on
he rural route would be permitted to
lave goods delivered at the proposed
special rate, and packages would not
'e accepted from any person acting
Us agent for a concern located out
tide of the delivery limits of the rural
outes. The result would be to in
rease the business of local mer-
hants and country stores by facili-
ating consumption and the delivery
# goods. 1t is of incalculable import
nee that these small dealers turnout
he United States should not be driven
o :the wall. 1t has been estimated
hat If every rural carrier delivered
lfty-f1ve pounds each trip an income
# S15,000,O00 would be earned in one
ear.
Argues For Parcels Post.
Tn my last annual report the estab-
lshment of such a system was rec
for packages originating on
ural delivery routes. such packages
ot to exceed eleven pounds in weight
r three feet six inches in length. The
pecial rate of postage to be 5 cents