The Clarksburg telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1874-1926, 1909-12-30
Mage inc lKlIQiI
Causes Deficit

greater care would -ba taken no doubt
N the exercise OF the frantsing privi-
lege and SOME ,aying to the govern
ment would accordingly result. The
wisdom of doing away entirely with
the frankifs privilege or official mail
has been suggested. but this is a mat
ter for congress to determine. Such a
plan. would relieve the zPostofice De-
partment OF a heavy expense it is now
Obliged no incur in the handling OF
free mail for other branches Of the
government establishment.
THE rural delivery service ha- de-
veloped in twelve years from an ex.
pertinent. requiring an appropriation
of $4,000, toFone Of the largest
branches of the postal establishment.
with an annual expenditure exceeding
$3.50 90. 900. The postage on matter
mailed on rural routes is estimated at
about $7,ooo.000. The Importance of
this service to large number OF peo-
pie is fully appreciated. 1t brings the
farms and villages into closer commu-
nication with commercial and educa-
tional eenters. It encourages the i'm
iprovement OF country roads. BY max
Ing rural life more attractive it sti1nu-
lates agriculture. No doubt 1t is part
" responsible for. the increase in farm
values. Owing to the marvelously
rapid growth of this service, however.
1t Is but natural that defects have de-
veloped. The cost OF rural delivery is
probably much greater than it should
be. Now is an appropriate time for
considering carefully the conditions
under which 1t is operated, for per.
fecting the existing organization. and
for introducing such economics as are
consistent with a proper conduct OF
the service.
In so far as the rates of payment
for transportation of the mails are
fixed by contracts based on compete
tive bidding, there can be no doubt
az to their fairness. The larger par,
of this item, however. is for payments
to railways at rates fixed by law. The
charge for this service during the last
fiscal year was nearly $4,000. 900.
I'm one respect, the postal service
Iis susceptible of marked Improvement
It needs more effective system OF
supervision. over 10000 offices scat
tered throughout the length and
breadth of the land are directly de-
pendent on the department at Wash
ington for Instructions, for authority
to make expenditures. and for sup
plies. 1t would seem to be an ex-
cellent plan to make large city post
offices the centers OF convenient postal
Eareas by giving city postmasters SUI
pervisory authority over the smaller
offices of the nelghborhood.
The departments recommends
ton for the establishment of postal
savings banks is earnestly renewed
AS 9s per cent of the savings OF the
people are deposited in the banks 81
IA states. the need for additional saw
ings repositories for other parts OF
the country is apparent. These por-
tions of the United States now want
| ing in such facilities could be readily
supplied through the instrumentallty
of postal savings system.
"Of the vessels carrying mails to the
Orient more than 20 per cent fly for
| eign flags, while not single steam
ship now carrying our mails to Aus
tralia and to South America, except
the north coast. flies the American
flag. These parts OF the world are OF
great commercial Importance, and the
maintenance Of frequent, fast. and
regular mail service; would be the first
step in establishing closer trade re-
lations with them. Contracts for ser
vice to these countries can not be Sc
cured under TIE present. law. More
liberal remuneration lis necessary,
Legislation shrould be enacted grant
ling adequate mail pay to American
steamships OF, routes of this charac-
ter.
'To provide simple and cheap
means, of transmitting small sums
through the malls. and to lessen the
use OF coins, bills and postage stamps
for that purpose, 1t is recommended
that farm of postal note or check
be adopted. similar to the present
money order, but issued for lower
fees without written application IL
fixed denominations less than $40.
Suggestions are made in the report
of means by which the public could
facilitate the work of the postoffice de-
partment. Among them are these:
The equipment OF every residence
with private mail x in cities hav-
Ing carrier service; postin heavy mail
ings early IN the day, instead Of the
evening; the general use of a return
address on envelopes; the prompt no.
tiacation of postmastcrs Of all changes
in addresses; and the exercise Of care
in the proper addressing of all mail
matter.
Some idea OF The size of the postal
service oftha United states and the
magnitude fof Its business can be