The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-12-21


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 a long step in the
right direction.
The American Bar association has
expediting procedure. one of which has
already passed the house unanimously,
February 6, 1911. This directs that no
judgment should be set aside or re-
versed, or new trial granted, unless it
appears to the court after an examina-
ton of the entire cause, that the error
complained of has injuriously affected
the substantial rights of the parties,
and also provides for the submission of
issues of fact to jury, reserving Ques-
tons of law for subsequent argument
and decision. hope this bill will pass
the senate and become law, for 1t Will
simplify the procedure at law.
Another bill to amend chapter IL of
the Judicial Code, in order to avoid
errors in pleading, was presented by
the same association, and one enlarg-
ing the jurisdiction of the Supreme
court SO as to permit that court to eX-
anime, upon a writ of error, all cases
in which any right or title is claimed
under the constitution, or any statute
or treaty of the United States, whether
the decision in the court below has
been against the right or title or in its
favor. Both these measures are in the
interest of justice and should be
passed.
Post Office.
At the beginning of the present ad-
in 1909 the postal service
was in arrears to the extent of ST.
AIS, 770.47. 1t was very much the
largest deficit on record. In the brief
space of two years this has been turned
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 post offices; de-
livery by carrier has been added to the
servise in 1856 cities; 2,516 new rural
routes have been established, covering
$4,000 miles; the force of postal en-
plOyeeS has been increased in these two
years by more than 5000, and their
annual salary has had sub
stantial increase.
PostaI-Savings System.
On January 8. 1911, postal-savings
mentally in 48 states and territories
After three months successful opera
ton the system was extended as rapid
~ as feasible to the $500 post offices
of the first, second, and third classes
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 post offices doing a money
order business.
In selecting post offices for deposit
0ries consideration was given to the
efficiency of the postmasters and only
those offices where the ratings were
to the department have
been designated. Withholding desig- |
nation from postmasters with unsatis- |
factory ratings has had a. Salutary |
effect on the service.
YTy1-- l. L
extension of. the system. Amounting
o only $6O.65 at the end of the first !
months operation in the experimental
offices, they increased to $679,310 by
July, and now after IL months of op- |
sration have reached a total of SILL
100000. This sum is distributed among |
,,71O banks and protected under the |
aw by bonds deposited with the treas
lrer of the United States.
Under the method adopted for the |
onduct of the system certificates are
ssued as evidence of deposits, and
ccounts with depositors are kept by
he post offices instead of by the de-
,artment- Compared with the prac-
ice in other countries of entering de-
osits in pass books and keeping at the
entra1 office a ledger account with
ach depositor, the use of the certifi
ate has resulted in great economy of
The depositors thus far number ap-
10000. They include 40
native Americans largely
redominating and English and Ital-
ans coming next
First Conversion.
The first conversion of deposits into
United States bonds bearing interest
t the rate of 2 - per cent occurred on
uIy l. 1911, the amount of deposits
being $4,000, or a little
lore than 6 per cent of the total out
landing certificates of deposit ON June
0. Of this issue, bonds to the value
f S6,12O were in coupon form and
5,7S0 in registered form.
Parcel Post.
Steps should be taken mediately
0r the establishment of rural parcel ,
ost. In the estimates of appropria-
ons needed for the maintenance of ,
1e postal service for the ensuing fiscal {
ear an item of $150O0O has been in !
,rted TO cover the preliminary expense !
f establishing a parcel post on rural ,
lail routes, IS well as to cover an in
having for it's object the /
nal esta Adjustment of a general parcel
ost on all railway and steamboat I
ansportation routes. The departm :
elieves that after the initial expenses t
establishing the system are betrayed ,
nd the parcel post is in full operation 7
n all the rural routes it will not only t
ring in sufficient revenue to meet it's !
1st, but also a surplus that can be t
tilted in paying the expenses of a
arcel post in the city delivery ser
ce.
1t is hoped that congress will au- s
lorize the immediate eSta blishment of T
limited parcel post on such rural t
,utes as may be selected, providing '
n the delivery along the routes of l
arcels not exceeding eleven pounds, s
hich is the weight limit for the inter- c
ational parcel post. or at the post g
ice from which such route emanates e
on another route emanating from L
lie same office. Such preliminary ser {
ce will prepare the way for the more
borough and mprehensive inquiry [
in asking for the appro- a