Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1912-04-26
TAFT REFORMS IN
POSTAL SERVICE
Governments Biggest Business
Concern Now Run on Mod
ern Basis.
PENNY POSTAGE POSSIBLE
Economy and Efficiency In Admins
tration Under Hitchcock Make
Cheaper Postage Rates Imml-
nent-Pollcies Should Be
Continued.


No branch of the public service
comes closer to the people than the
postoffice department. In this depart
ment the Taft administration has ac-
complished results which have rem
dered this service more efficient than
at any other time in the history of the
country.
In thorough accord with the policy
Of economy and efficiency Of the Taft
administration, Postmaster General
Frank H. Hitchcock has put an end to
the annual deficit in the postoffice de-
partment and made possible the seri-
Gus consideration of further reforms
and improvements, not the least i'm
portant of which is the imminent pos
sibility of penny postage. Many 9TH
er reforms that have the support of
President Taft will be inaugurated
this year. Another term of the Taft
administration would place this $780,
100000 business institution complete
ly on business basis.
At the beginning of the present ad-
ministration the postal service was in
arrears to the extent of $17,479, ,770.47.
Which was decidedly the largest de-
ficit on record. Last year the reve-
nues exceeded the expenditures by
$219, ,11S.12.
The wiping out of the deficit has
been accomplished without any cur
tailment of facilities. On the con-
trary. there has been established 3,744
new postoffices, delivery by carrier
has been provided in 1S6 additional
cities, and 2.516 new rural routes, ag-
gregating 60,679 miles, have been au-
thorized. Meanwhile the force of pos
tai employees has been increased by
more than 5000, and lest year the
total amount expended for salaries
was approximately $14,000,000 greater
than two years ago. The average an
nual salary has been increased from
1859 to 1867 for rural carriers, from
1919 to $1,0S2 for post Office clerks,
from S1,021 to $1,0S4 for city letter
carriers, and from 81 1,163, to 81 ,1S3 for
railway postal clerks. Thus marked
extension of the postal service and
increased compensation for its en-
ployes have gone hand in hand with
vanishing deficit.
Postal Banks Great Success.
By persistent effort the present Re
publican administration secured the
passage on June %, 1919, of the act
creating the postal savings system,
which is now in operation at prac-
tically all the 1900 presidential post
offices. Preparations are being made
for its extension to 10000 fourth
class postoffices. 1t is confidently
anticipated that the deposits at the
close of the present fiscal year will
aggregate $50,OOO,OO0, and that the in
come of the system will be sufficient
TO pay all operating expenses.
Under President Taft the postoffice
department has engaged in an aggres-
sive crusade against the fraudulent
use of the mails. Last year the in
spectors investigated many cases in
volving the sale of worthless stock in
imaginary mining companies and 9TH
er fictitious concerns. There were al
together 500 indictments and 1S4 con-
victions with but twelve acquittals.
The other cases are pending. The con-
vlcted swindlers had defraude ed the
people of many millions of dollars. A
great number of similar concerns
have gone out of business owing to
the rigid enforcement of the law.
of man, who has already served two
terms in the white house, by the votes
of the Republican party, and who now,
not only in violation of the unwritten
law of the republic. but in violation
of his own solemn promise to the ma
ton, voluntarily given on the night of
November 8. le04, is seeking a third
term on national platform so un-
Republican In nature that he dare not
discuss 1t himself. as is shown by his