Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-11-18

The only way to explain the falling of
in the money orders is on the theory
that the foreign-born element in the
United States had not sufficiently recov-
cred from the hard times OF 1907 and 1908
to afford to send any part of their saw
ings to the old folks In the countries
from which they came. But when the
December returns are in we shall be able
to Judge more accurately Of their f1nan-
cial condition, because they are in the
habit OF buying more money orders 10
send to their parents. relatives ana
friends across the water at Christmas
time than at any other season Of the
year.
mere has been an enormous increase In
tile amount Of money sent to Europe In
that way. Thirty years ago the value OF
foreign money orders was little over two
millions of dollars. Twenty years ago II
was twelve millions. Ten years ago 1t
was a little less than fourteen millions.
while I'm 1905 II reached the enormous
sum of $sS.972. 2Ss. without considering
the amount Of money that was carried
by returning immigrants. sent back by
drafts. through the steamship companies.
in currency and in other ways. Every re-
turning immigrant carries his savings
with him, and a million dollars or more
goes to Europe in that way every year.
was on steamer once when steerage
passengers for Ireland alone brought
more than seven thousand dollars In
American money to the purser to De
changed into English money. On an
other occasion before We landed In GENOA
the steerage passengers, almost entireiy
Italians, brought about five thousand dol
lars to be changed into the currency OF
their country.
During the last ten years $4oS, 1893 .015
has been sent abroad in money orders
alone. practically the entire amount be-
ing the savings Of the foreign-born pop
uIation in the United States RENTED to
their parents and other relatives or Tor IN
vestment. During the fiscal year 1913 the
nave Already told you. there was falling
off to $76. 662. 500 during the recent year.
Regarded as Best Indicator.
The growth OF the country is indicated
more accurately by the postal statistics
than by any other standard OF compari-
son. although there has been decided
falling off in the total number OF posi-
offices since the rural delivery was intro
duced. Highwater mark was reached In
1901 when there were 16.940 post ofhces,
but those Of the fourth class on the couh-
try roads and at the four corners nave
gradually been abolished, ana the mai
OF their patrons been delivered at the
doorsteps of the farmers homes by car
riers.
The total number of post Offices in
operation on the 30th Of June last was
4, WnlCn was q Idlline Oil VI lo,cui
since 1901, and a decrease OF 1.O14 during
previous twelve months.
The number of first and second class
offices increased considerably however
and the amount Of money devoted 10
postmasters' salaries was $26. 751 ,911. a
decided increase from the previous year
The revenue of the Post ONCE Depart
ment is increasing rapidly. and amounted
TO S33. J63. 343 last year, an Increase OF
So. OS3. 10. but IL does not yet equal Oh
even keep pace with the expenditures
which were <221 ,OO4 1O2 during the fiscal
year OF 1909; an increase of 81, GO. 2lt
from the previous year. There seems to
be no way OF pulling down the expenses.
notwithstanding the efforts Of the Post
Office Department 10 economze and to
rule out OF the mails vast quantities OF
second class matter that was formerly
carried free
The deficit i'm the earnings last year
was larger than ever before in the history
Of the government. and amounted to ST.
,1a,17O. Ten years ago the deficit was
81 1884, SS while in 1907 IL was only
s. 961, 169 IL is increasing SO rapidly
every year that there is very little hope
that the Post ONCE Department will ever
become self-supporting, as II is in nearly
every other country. The difhcuty Ia
that under our liberal laws an enormous
amount OF printed matter is carried free.
Only Source Of Profit.
Indeed, the only part of our postal