New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-10-07
ECONOMY IN ESTIMATES
Hitchcock Asks Money to Start
Parcels Post.
FIGURES FOR NAVY LOW
Efficiency of Fleets and Yard
Management Increased
Postal improvements.
From The Tribune Bureau ]

Washington. Oct 6-The Secretary Of the
Navy and the Postmaster General COM
pleted estimates Of expenditures in their
departments for the forthcoming year to-
day, both claiming the distinction Of being
the first Of the Cabinet members 10 finish
the task. The estimates for the PostofIice
Department are s2e093S. 4e3. or an increase
OF only s2,5s5. 463 over the appropriations for
the current fiscal year. This Is the smallest
increase, amounting 10 less than ] per
cent. recorded in the department The es-
Inmates for the navy. will not exceed the
appropriations for ths current year. which
amount 10 approximately Sl2goO0OO0
Both of these estimates fail 10 bear out
the predictions made when the administra-
TONS economy programme was instituted.
TO the effect that the savings in the first
year or two would result in proportionately
/ larger expenditures TO Offset them later
Two years ago the naval estimates were
Sl000o.O00 less than those Of the preceding
year. The following year they were cut
down another 100000 This year the naval
estimates are the same as last years ap-
preparations.
The same is true of the Postoflce Depart
ment, where the deficit has been wiped
out and the expenditures have increased
only slightly. despite the many improve
ments made and those provided for in the
estimates for next year.
In the Navy Department the building
programme will bc substantially the same
as last year Two battleships. possibly
slightly larger than the 27.cO0-ton ships
now being constructed. with number of
smaller vessels. will be constructed II the
plans OF the department are approved by
. Congress At the same time the efficiency
OF the feet has steadily increased. The
mobilization Of twenty-four battleships
and smaller vessels of the Atlantic feet at
New York as a test OF their preparedness
for war will be a fitting demonstration Of
the lighting strength Of the navy on the
Atlantic, and the assembling of the Pa
cidc feet at Los Angeles viii provide a
similar test on the other coast introduce
ton OF business methods in yard manage
ment and the concentration OF work at the
large stations. subject to and in accord
ance with the predominating idea Of mill
tary efficiency, are in large measure the
causes OF the reduction in naval expendi-
lures.
Important new items are included in the
T
The Postmaster General suggests an ap-
preparation of $4,000 10 cover the prelimi-
nary expenses on rural mail routes. and
an equal appropriation 10 start the service
in the cities. He is Of the opinion that
after its establishment It Will not only
maintain itself, but provide a surplus. He
adds another $4,000 10 establish the par
GELS post on all railway and steamboat
/ transportation services. This will put the
/ question Of establishing a parcels post
/ squarely up 10 Congress, which, 10 is ex-
| pected, viii authorize it I'm some form at
/ the next session.
Postmaster General Hitchcock also wants
/ $4,000 to provide for experiments in carry
/ ing mail by aeroplane He is confident that
the flying machine will be useful I'm the
postal service under certain conditions in
the near future, and desires 10 take adj
vantage Of II. Another item Is $4,000 for
the purchase OF time and labor saving
devices To enable the department 10 re-
ward postal employees who invent devices
OF this kind $1,000 is asked.