Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1911-12-28

whefeDy inc empioye injured IN M
SetirSs Of bis employment u compen-
aatbd for his loss Of working ability
irrespective Of negligence. The prin-
eiple upon which such provision pro
cesds 10 that accidental injuries to
workmen in modern industry, with it,
vast completely and inherent dan
gers arising from complicated machin-
cry and the use Of the great forces Of
steam and electricity. should be re-
garded as risks Of the industry and
the loss borne In some equitable pro
portion by those who for their own
profit engage therein. In recognition
Of this the last congress authorized
the appointment Of q commission to
investigate the subject Of employers
liability and workmen's compensation
and to report the result Of their inves-
legations. through the president, to
congress. This commission was ap-
pointed and has been at work, hold
ing hearings, gathering data, and con-
sidering the subject, and It Is expect
cd will be able to report by the first
Of the year, in accordance with the
provisions Of the law.
Measures to Prevent Delay and IN
necessary Cost Of Litigation.
In promotion Of the movement for
the prevention Of delay and unneces-
sary cost, in litigation, ! am glad to
say that the Supreme court has TAX
en- steps to reform the present equity
rules Of the Federal courts, and that
we may In the near future expect a
revision Of them which will be long
step in the right direction.
Postoffice.
At the beginning of the present ad-
ministration in 1909 the postal. serv-
ice was in arrears to the extent OF
Stats, 77O.47. 1t was very much the
largest deficit on record. In the brief
space of two years this has been turn
ed into a surplus Of 100000, which has
been accomplished without curtail-
ment of the postal facilities, as may
be seen by the fact that there have
been established 3.744 new postof-
fees; delivery by carrier has been
added to the service in 1856 cities; Il
SIG new rural routes have been es-
tablished, covering $4,000 miles; the
force of postal employees has been In
creased in these two years by more
than 5000, and their average annual
salary has had a substantial increase
Postal Savings System.
On January 3, 1911, postal savings
depOsitories were established expert
mentally in 4S states and territories.
After three months successful oper'
alton the system was extended as rap
idly as feasible to the $500 postofiices
of the first, second, and third classes
constituting the presidential grade.
BY the end Of the year practically all
of these will have been designated and
then the system will be extended TO
all fourth-class postofices doing q
money-ordel business.
The deposits have kept pace with
the extension Of the system. Amount
ing to only S6O,652 at the end OF the
first months operation in the expert
mental Offices, they increased to $685.
$40 by July, and now after IL months
of operation have reached a total OF
s11 900 900. This sum is distributed
among 2,71O banks and protected un
der the law by bonds deposited Win
the treasurer Of the United states
Parcel Post.
Steps should be taken Immediately
Tor the establishment Of rural par
cel most. In the estimates OF ap-
negotiations needed for the mainte'
nance of the postal service for the
ensuing fiscal year an item OF $lbO'-
OOO has been inserted to cover the
preliminary expense OF es.;l6sshing a
marcel post on rural mail routes, as
well as to cover an Investigation nav
ing for its object the final establish
ment of a general parcel post on all
railway and steamboat transportation
routes. The department believes thar
after the initial expenses OF estab'
fishing the system are betrayed and
the parcel post is in full operation on
the rural routes 1t will not only bring
in suficient revenue to meet Its cost,
hut also a surplus that can be utilized
in paying the expenses Of a parcel
post in the city delivery service.
II is hoped that congress Will atl-
thorize the immediate establishment
Of a limited parcel post on such rural
routes as may be selected.
The suggestion that we have a gen.
eral parcel post has awakened great
imposition on the part of some who
think that II will have the effect to
destroy the business Of the country
store keeper. Instead Of doing this
I think the change will greatly in
crease business for the benefit OF all.
The reduction In the cost OF living
II will bring about ought to make Its
coming certain.
The Navy Department.
On the I'd Of November last re-
viewed the fighting feet Of battleships
and other vessels assembled in New
v.-h harhor conaIating Of "a battle