The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1911-12-11
THE POSTOFEICE
HAS FAIR SURPLUS
First Time Since 1883 That
Balance Has Been on the
Right Side

Right Side
Washington, Dec. 11-.'For the first
'ime since 1888 the annual financial
statement of tho postoffice department
shows a surplus instead of a deficit"
This is the burden of the annual re-
port of Postmaster General Hitchcock
made public today. He indicated that
the placing of the postal service upon
sell sustaining basis meant an inn
ProVement and extension of facilities
and. at no distant day, one cent letter
postage.
At the beginning of the present adj
mlnlstration in 1909. Mr.. Hitchcock
pointed out, thet department showed a
deficit of s17.479.77O, the largest on
record. In two years this deficit has
lis. despite important extensions
throughout the service. These en-
tensions include 3.744 new postoffices,
delivery of mail by carriers in 1856
additional cities. 2,516 new rural mail
routes, asgregating 60,679 miles and
s'ooo additional postal employees with
a: salary roll greater by $4,000, 900
eAah IL WdS Two years ago.
The postal savings hank system.
less than year old, now is in op-
Grafton in practically all of the $500
presidential postoffices. Preparations
are being made to establish it in about
10000 fourth class Offices that do a
money order business. In eleven
months operation. postal banks de-
posits aggregated Sill 900, 900 and they
are expected to reach $4o,OO0,0OO or
more by July 1.
In view of the successful operation
OF the postal banks, Mr.. Hitchcock
strongly recommends the establish
ment ny congress of an adequate par
cells post which, he said, could be put
into operation in a few months.
The postmaster general reiterated
that the second class postage rate
should be two cents instead of one cent
a pound. He also urged that by read
justment of the pay of railroads for
transporting the mails. based on ac-
tual cost to the railroads. an annual
saving to the government Of at least
100000 could be effected.
Mr.. Hitchcock said the progress in
aviation encourages the hope that ul-
timately the regular conveyance of
mail by this means may be practicable
In many districts where the natural
rapid transportation"
Mr.. Hitchcock recommended grant,
ing all postal employees thirty days
annual leave: that civil pension bas-
ed on length of employment be grant
ed by the government" to superan-
nuated employees: and that presidential
postmasterS be placed in the classified
service.
The report in part follows:
\ Postal Surplus.
For the first time since 1883 the an
nual financial statement of the post
office department shows a surplus in
stead Of deficit. The revenues for
the fiscal year ended June 30. 1911,
amounted to s237,s79,s2S.60 and the
expenditures to $237,660. .705.4S. leav-
beginning of the present administra-
ton in 1909 the postal service was in
arrears to the extent of $17.479.77O.47,
which was decidedly the largest de-
ficit on record. In the brief space OF
two years this deficit has been chang
ed into substantial surplus.
Extension of the Service.
The wiping out of the deficit has
been accomplished without curtail-
ment Of postal facilities. On the con-
trary. important extensions have been
made in every branch of the service.
Since the opening of the present ad-
ministration there have been estab-
lished 3.744 new postoffices. delivery
by carrier has been provided in 1856
additional cities. and ISIS new rural
routes. aggregating 6O.679 miles. have
been authorized. Meanwhile the force
of postal employees has been increased
by moro than 5000. In compensating
such employees the department fol
lows liberal policy. Last year the
total amount expended for salaries
was approximately s14.00o.000 great
er than two years ago. The average
annual salary has been increased from
1869 to 1867 for rural carriers, from
1919 to S1.0S2 for postoffice clerks.
from $1.021 to s1.0S4 for city letter
and from $l.16S to s1,1S3 for
railway postal clerks. Thus a marked
extension of the postal service and
higher compensation for its employees
have gone hand in hand with a van
ishing defi>it.
Now that the successful operation
Of the postal savings system is as
sured. it is hoped that congress will
promptly authorize the establishment
of parcel post. The benefits of this
service are widely enjoyed by the
people Of foreign countries and should
be provided in the United States The
department mot only renews its rec
Of last year for lcgisla-
tive authority to start parcel post
on rural routes but asks similar au-
for the introduction of
such service in cities and tow..s hav-
ing delivery by carrier. After the or
ganization Of a parcel post on rural
routes and in the city delivery service
Is completed. its extension to include
railway and other transportation lines
can he more readily accomplished
without impeding the handling Of the
ordinary mail In establishing a par
eel post service great care should be
ia ken not to cause a congestion of the
mails and thus embarrass the present
operations Of the postoff1ces. An at
tempt to absorb Immediately. under
one sweeping order the entire parcel
business of the country would he a
dangerous experiment for our postal