Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1911-12-12
POSTAL Deficit
WAS WIPED OUT
~ w - =
first Time There Has Been
II ] 1 q Surplus Since 1883
Report Of Postmaster General
Makes Many Recommend
dtiaDs

uhC0 muuy nI1U'l'lI'Gnu
alisnl!si
WASHINGTON, Dec. 1.-The an,
nual report of the postmaster general
was submitted late yesterday after
noon and follows, IN. part:
A Postal Surplus.
For the first time since 1883 the
annual financial statement of the
postoftice department shows a surplus
instead of a deficit. The revenues
for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1911,
amoutned to $237 ,S79, 9,S23.60, and the
expenditures TO $237, ,660y705. .4S, leav'
ing a surplus of $219,11&12. At the
beginning of the present administra
tion in 1909 the postal service waa
in arrears to the extent of $17,479,-
77047, which was decidedly the larg'
est deficit on record. I'm the brdef
space of two years this deficit has
been changed into a substantial sur.
plus.
Extension Of the Service.
The wfping 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-
mfnistration there have been estab-
lished 3,774 new postoff1ces, delivery
by carrier has been provided In 1856
adddtional cities. and 2,516 new rural
routes. aggregating 60,679 miles, have
been authorized. Meanwhile tho force
OF postal employees has been increased
by more than 5000.
Postal Savings System.
An Important event Of the year
was the successful organization Of the
postal savings system. On January 8,
1911, repositories were opened expert
mentally at q single poetofice in each
one of the 48 states and territories.
After a careful test for four months
at these Offices the system was rap.
idly extended and now comprises
practically oil Of the $500 presidential
postofaces. Preparattons ara being
made TO eissttaD3Msh the system also ID
about 10000 MuEth class olnces that
do a money order der blsness. % =.
I'm the establishment Of repositories
only such po0tofnces are selected as
have a record for efficient MANAGE
memt. This plan has materially aided
Ahe department dn its efforts to i'm
prove conditions DIN the postal service.
Assuming that the postal savings
system win be extended to additional
Offices In accordance with present
plans, and that with this extension the
deposits will continue to increase at
the same rate as now, It Is confident
ly predicted that from $40;000;000 to
$50 ZOO, 900 win have been taken in
by the close Of the current fiscal year.
At that time the Income of the sys-
tenn should be sufficient to pay all
operating expenses, including those
incurred a the central administra-
tive Office.
Parcels Post.
Now that the successful operation
of the postal savings system is a.
sured, it Is hoped that congress will
promptly authorize the establishment
of a parcel posi-. The benefits Of this
service are widely enjoyed by the peo-
pie Of foreign countries and should
be: pGbvdde6 In the United Stntee.
The department not only renews its
recbhmmeudation of last year for legis.
latdfe authority toa1oRzt q parcel post
on rural routes, but asks a similar
authoadaakion tor the Introduction OF
such q service In cities and towns hAv.
ing delivery by carrier. After the Of:
ganfantcn Of q parcel post on r.uA
routes and IN. the city dehveFy service
is completed, fts extension to include
railway and other transportation
hines can be more readily accom-
plished without impeding the hand
ling Of the ordinary mail.
:'Readiustmont Of Postage Rates.
Next to the question of establish
ing a parcel post, the most important
postal problem to be considered by
congress at the coming session will be
that OF readjusting postage rates. In
the last two annual reports Of the de-
;partmemt attention was directed to
the great foae sustained In handling
second class mgn at the present low
rate OIL cent d pound In view Of the
large? profit alccruing, on the other !
hand. from ftrstchss mail It was
pointed out that q readjustment of
rates ON the basis ot cost would event !
ually permit the adoption Of 1 cent |
postage for letters:
The controversy over the depart
ment:s Recommendation on this sub
ject had the desired effect Of direct
ing popular ottention to the second
class mail problem and the final out
come, was the adoption by congress o6
a joant resolution creating a commis-
sion to investigate the subject and
make report. Extensfve hearings
were held by the commission 6lring
The. summer, at which the officers Of
the department presented data in sup
port Of their contention a. to the great
loss incurred In haudhng second
class mail and submitted recommenda-
lions tor gradual equalization OF
postnee rates On the basic of cost.
As.ttse first step In tint direction the |
appart rtment suggested <that the poet: !
Eeorabe on second-chss maA be IN
(Coa0inued on 1age 81 i