The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1911-12-11
HITCHCOCK REVIEWS HIS
PLEA FOR PARCELS POST
Postmaster-G General Says De-
partment Made Profit in 1911,
First Time Since 1883.


FIRST time since 1888" says Postmas-
ter-Generai Frank II. Hitchcock in his
annual report. just made public, the
annual financial statement OF the post
Office department shows surplus In
stead OF deficit. The revenues for
the fiscal year ended June 80, 1911,
amounted TO s2S7.s7s.S23.6O and the
expenditures to $237 $50, 705.is. leav'
ing a surplus OF s2l9,lls,12.
AT the beginning OF the present ad-
ministration in 1909 the postal scr
vice was in arrears TO the extent or
sl7,479.77O.47, which was decidedly
the largest deficit on record. In the
brief space OF two years this deficit
has been changed into a substantial
surplus.
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-
ministrStion there have been estab-
lished 3,774 new postoffices. delivery
Dl mas HCtH PIONANNh III AoN
additional Cities and 2.5l6 new rural
routes. aggregathg 60.679 miles, nave
been autho1zeD Meanwhile the force
OF postal employees has been increased
by more than 5000. In compensating
such employees the department follows
liberal policy. Last year the total
amount expended for salaries was ap-
proximately sl4,000,000 greater than
two years ago The average annual
salary has been increased from 1869
to 1867 for rural carriers from 1919
10 $l,0S2 for postoffice clerks, from
1921 to sl.0S4 for city letter carriers.
and from 1853 10 $l.lS3 for railway
postal clerks Thus a marked extern
sion OF the postal service and higher
compensation for it's employees have
gone hand in hand with a vanishing
deficit
An important event of the Year
was the successful organization OF the
postal savings system. On Jan. 3,
1911. repositories were opened ex-
perimentally at a single postoffice in
each one of the as states and terri
tories. After careful test for four
months at these Offices the system
was rapidly extended and now COM
prises practically all OF the 1900 pres
idential postofflces. Preparations are
being made TO establish the system
also in about 10000 fourth-class Of
fees that do money order business.
I'm the establishment OF deposit
tories only such postoffices are Sc
lected as have a record for efficient
management. This plan has materi-
ally aided the department in its ef-
forts to improve conditions in the pos
tai service
Postal savings deposits have kept
pace with the extension of the sys-
TEN. Amounting at the end OF the
first month to only 5000 I'm the As
experimental Offices, they increased in
half year to $679.310. and now, after
IL months OF operation, have reached
total of S11. 100000 This sum has
been distributed among 2.170 national
and state banks, where II is protected
by bonds deposited with the treasurer
of the United States.
Now that the successful operation
OF the postal savings system is as
sured. II is hoped that congress will
promptly authorize the establishment
OF parcels post. The benefits OF this
service are widely enjoyed by the peo-
pie OF foreign countries and should be
provided in the United States.
The consolidation of the rural de-
livery and star route services, TO which
reference was made In the last an.
nual report, has proved TO be most
beneficial. II has enabled the depart.
ment to extend mail delivery TO many
thousands OF additional patrons by a
Encouragement OF established routes
with little Increase in the annual rate
OF expenditure. Much needless dupli.
cation OF service. which II was diff
cult to prevent with two independent
systems OF rural delivery, has been
eliminated since their consolidation.
Under the new plan OF organization
the rural mail service is being rapid
ly extended.
An order was put into effect dur.
ing the year that has reduced to a
minimum the employment OF postof.
fee clerks and letter carriers on Sun
day. The few employees who are
/ obliged to report on the Sabbath 10
make a necessary distribution of i'm
portant letters are now granted com.
pepsatory time on other days of the
week equal TO the period OF Sunday
service. The arrangement by which
the amount OF Sunday work In post
Offices Is thus reduced has been re-
ceived with great favor by the en-
ployes and with little objection from
hA nat NJ n