The searchlight. [volume] (Culbertson, Mont.) 1902-current, 1912-02-23

Wheeler, president of the Association
of Commerce of the city OF Chicago.
In commenting on their findings the
president says:
The report discloses a most ex-
haustive and critical inquiry into the
subject OF second-class mail matter
after adequate notice to ali the par
ties In interest. Extensive bearings
were held by the commission, at which
the Postmaster General and the Sec
ond and Third Assistant Postmasters
General appeared and submitted for
mai statements presenting the various
contentious Of the Post Office depart
ment, together with all the relevant
official data and evidence relating to
the cost of handling and transporting
second-class mail matter. Certain OF
the leading magazines were represent
ed by counsel. while various other pub
locations appeared by representatives.
The findings OF the commission
confirm the view that the cost Of
handling and Transporting second
class mail matter Is greatly in excess
of the postage paid. and that an in
crease in the rate Ia not only justified
by the facts, but Is desirable"
Cost Inquired Into.
The commission reports that the
evidence submitted for its considera-
ton Is sufficient to warrant finding
of the approximate cost OF harding
and transporting the several classes
of second-class mail known as paid
at-the-pound-rate, free-in-county. and
transient matter. in so far as relates
to the services OF transportation. post
Office cars, railway distribution, rural
delivery. and certain other items OF
cost. but that II Is without adequate
data to determine the cost of the gen.
| eral post-office service and also what
portion OF the cost of certain other
aggregate services is properly assign
able TO second-class mail matter. 1t
finds that in the fiscal year 1908, the
period for which the statistics for the
Post Office Department were COM
piled, the cost of handling and trans
porting second-class mail. in the items
of transportation. post-ofiice cars, rail-
way distribution, rural delivery, and
certain miscellaneous charges, was APP
proximately 6 cents a pound for paid.
at-the-poundrate matter and for free
in-county and transient matter each
approximately cents a pound, and
that upon this basis, as modified by
subsequent reductions in the cost OF
railroad transportation. the cost Of
neutrality-suspicious. matter, for the
services mentioned. Is now approx
mately 5h cents a pound. while the
cost of free-in-county and transient
matter remains as formerly, namely.
each at approximately cents
pound.
The commission suggests that the
| department maintain an adequate
| cost system. so that the effect OF the
new rates may be closely observed
and a proper basis may be secured
for the consideration OF any future
proposals"
President Taft again concurs In the
recommendation of the Postmaster
General for the adoption Of parcel
post system. suggesting the Inaugural
ton of such a service on rural routes
and In the city delivery service first
Ownership Of Telegraph Opposed.
Hitchcock's recommendation for
government ownership of the tele-
graph lines under the supervision of
the postal service Is not approved OF
by the president Regarding this he
says:
There Is only one recommendation
in which | can not agree-that Is one
which recommends that the telegraph
lines In the United States should be
made a part of the postal system and
operated In conjunction with the mall
system. This presents question OF
government ownership of public utili'
ties which are now being conducted by
private enterprise under franchises
from the government. | believe that
the true principle is that private en-
terprise should be permitted to carry
on such public utilities under due regu
lation as to rates by proper authority
rather than that the government
should itself conduct them. This prin
ciple favor because do not think II
: in accordance with the best public pol
, Icy thus greatly to increase the bod,
; of public servants. OF, course, II Il
, could be shown that telegraph service
/ could be furnished to the public ut ;
/ less price than II is now furnished Il
, the public by. telegraph companies
/ and with equal efficiency. the argu
: ment might be a strong one in favo
r of the adoption of the proposition. Blu
| am not satisfied from any evidence
4 that II these properties were takel
2 over by the government they could b.
: managed any more economically o
( any more efficiently or that this woul'
= enable the government to furnish sery
I Ice at any smaller rate than the pub
r lie are now required TO pay by privat
= companies"
J, The report OF the Postmaster Ger
+ eral is full OF statements OF change
S in the organization and methods of tn
: postal service made since the last al
: nual report. and Of tentative drafts @