The Fargo forum and daily republican., 1911-12-21

first months operation in the expert
mental offices, they increased to $679,-
$40 by July, and now after eleven
months of operation have reached a
total of $11, 100000. This sum is dis
tributed among 2.71o banks and pro-
tected under the law by bonds de-
posted with the treasurer Of the
United States.
Under the method adopted for the
conduct of the system certificates are
issued as evidence OF deposits, and
accounts with depositors are kept by
the postoffices instead of by the de-
partment. Compared with the prac-
tice in other countries Of entering de-
posits in pass books and keeping at the
central office ledger account with
| each depositor, the use of the certi-
fcate has resulted in great economy
of administration.
The depositors thus far number ap-
proximately 10000. They include
forty nationalities, native Americans
largely predominating and English and
Italians coming next. %s
The first convention of deposits into
United States bonds bearing interest
at the rate OF az per cent occurred on
July i, 1911, the amount OF deposits
exchanged being $4,000, or q little
o
standing certificates of deposit on
June 80 OF this issue, bonds to the
value of $6,120 were in coupon form
and $35,7S0 in registered form.
Steps should be taken Immediately
for the establishment of rural parcel
post. In the estimates Of appropria-
tions needed for the maintenance of
the postal service for the ensuing fiscal
year an item OF $150,0O0 has been in
serted to cover the preliminary ex-
pense Of establishing a parcel post on
rural mail routes, as well as to cover
an investigation having, for its object
the final establishment Of general
parcel post on all railway and steam
boat transportation routes. The de-
partment believes that after the initial
expenses of establishing the system are
betrayed and the parcel post is in full
operation on the rural routes ii will
not only bring in sufficient revenue to
meet it's cost, but also surplus that
can he utilized in paying the expenses
of a parcel post in the city delivery
service.
1t is hoped that congress will auth
orize the immediate establishment of a
limited parcel post on such rural
routes as may be selected, providing
for the delivery along the routes OF
which is the weight limit for the in
ternational parcel post, or at the post
office from which such route emanates,
or on another route emanating from
the same Office. Such preliminary
service will prepare the way for the
more thorough and comprehensive in
quiry contemplated in asking for the
appropriation mentioned, enable the
department TO gain definite inforn1a-
- -
tion OF general system, and at the
same time extend the benefit OF the
service to class of people who. above
all others, are specially in need OF it.
The suggestion that we have gen.
eral parcel post has awakened great
opposition on the part OF some who
think that 1t will have the effect to
destroy the business of the country
storekeeper. Instead Of doing this. !
think the change will greatly increase
business for the benefit of all. The
bring about ought to make it's coming
certain.
The Navy Department.
On Nov. 2 last, IreNfewed the fight
ing feet OF battleships and other ves-
sells assembled In New York harbor.
consisting OF twenty four battleships.
two armored cruisers, two cruisers,
twerty-t two destr0yers, twelve torpedo
boats, eight submarines, and other at
tendant vessels, making ninety eight
vessels Of gil classes. Of a tonnage or
676,es4 tons. Tho5e who saw the fleet
were struck with It's preparedness and
with it's high military efficiency All
Americans should be proud of its per-
sonnel.
The feet was deficient In the number
OF torpedo destroyEss. in cruisers, and
Mhip cruisers. which are now becoming
9 very important stature Of foreign