The Pioche record. [volume] (Pioche, Nev.) 1908-1925, 1912-04-27
TAFT REFORMS
POSTAL SERVICE
Governments Biggest Business
NOW Fun on EOdsln PasiS.
fEhAf POSTAGE POSSIBLE.

G~otf~hJ dfio CUlSiSFCy w AumtntsNd" 1
ton Under Hitchcock Make Cheaper
Postage Rates Imminent - Policies
Should Be Continued.
In thorough accord With the policy
Of economy and efficiency of the TAFT
administration. Postmaster General
Frank Ii. Hitchcock has put an end 10
the annual deficit in the postoihce de
partment and made possible the serious
consideration of further reforms and
improvements. not the least important
of which Is the imminent possibility |
OF penny postage. Many other reforms |
that have the support OF President |
Taft will be inaugurIted this year
Another term of the Taft administra.
ton would place this S2l0.0J0,000 bust. |
ness institution completely on a bust !
ness basis
At the beginning Of the present al |
ministration the postal service was in
arrears to the extent of Sl7.47o.1To41.
which was deci dediv the LARGEST deficit
on record Last year the revenues ex
ceeded the expenditures hy s2l9.l1e.12.
The wiping ont Of the deficit has
been accomplished without any cur
tailment Of facilities. On the con
trary. there have been established 8, IA
new postotTices. delivery by carrier
has been provided In 1856 additional
cities, and 2,5l8 new rural routes, as
gregating 60.GIo miles, have been an
thoriZed. Meanwhile the force of pos
| tai employees has been increased by
more than 5000. and last year the to-
tai amount expended for salaries was
approximately sl4,oO0o00 greater than
two years ago The average annual
salary has been increased from 1850
to Se67 for rural carriers, from 1919 to
S1C22 for post0lfice clerks, from Sl.021
to 81 ,0S4 for city letter carriers and
from $l,l6S 20 S1.1S3 for railway pos
tai clerks. Thus marked extension
of the postal service and increased
compensation for its employees have
gone hand IN hand with a vanishing
deficit.
Postal Banks Great Success.
BY persistent effort the present Re-
publican administration secured the
passage on June rs, 1910. Of the act
creating the postal savings system.
which is now in operation at practical
iy all the 800 presidential postofhees.
Preparations are being made for its
extension to 10000 fourth class post
Offices 1t is confidently anticipated
that the deposits at the close OF the
present fiscal year Will aggregate sol,
100000 and that the income OF the sys-
TEN will be sufficient to pay all oi,erat-
ing expenses.
Under President Taft the postoffice
department has engaged in an nggreS.
sive crusade against the fraudulent
; use OF the mails Last year the N
spectors investigated many cases In
yolving the sale Of worthless stock III
, imaginary mining companies and othel
fictitious concerns. There We're alto
gether 500 indictments and ISL eonVtc
lions. with hut II acqulttals. The 9th
er cases are pending, The convicted
/ swiudlers had defrauded the people OF
. many millions OF dollars.
4 Sunday service by employees ma
il been reduced to minimum, with lit
l. tie ob election from patrons.
: Reforms Under Way.
: Many other improvements have beei
e made in the postal service during Pres
ident Taft's term of Office. such as tn
h shipment OF periodicals in carloads b.
g fast freight which has reduced tn
4 cost Of TRANSFORMATION and eXpedite
If the handling eff first class mall. AM
70 the consolidation of the star route an
g rural delivery services. so that II ma
- been possibe TO esta blish many ne'
= ditional patrons on existing routes VII
little or no increased cost. But tn
- Taft program of postal reform an
~ progress !s not yet completed. In
~ president IN urging congress to adol
40 legislation for the reimbursement
postage rates on basis of cost whic
>, will eventually permit Of cent raj
I. on letter mail project also ,s und'
H. way for giving to village communitl'
\ the same free delivery of mail that
q, now enjoyed by cities and the rur
re population.
al The establishment Of 4 domestic pa
M eel post has received the earnest 90
~ sidelation OF the president. In son
bv branches Of the delivery service, not
ri. bly, the rural and city delivery route
aa the equipment now necessary Is 81
=, ilcient for the additional transportat'
a. Of considerable merchandise with III
or no increase in expense.
:, President Taft. accordingly, has
-, gently recommended to congress |
~. abortion Of the necessary leelslati'
~ ana 10 present the issue clearly tht
items Of $4,000 each have been inei'
ed In the estimates of the postal SCI
Ice by Postmaster General Hltcneo'
~, two to cover tie initial expense Oh
10 PRODUCING the parcel post on fu'
", routes and In the city delivery ser'i
roc,activply and the third TO meet