The Washington herald., 1913-12-18
BURLEsoN CLAIMS FIRST
SURPLUS IN P0ST0FFICE
DEPARTMENT SINCE 1888

SURPLUS IN P0ST0FFICE
DEPARTMENT SINCE 1888
Another prominent feature Of the Post
masters report is his assertion that there
is a surplus in his department for the
year ended June 80, 1913, estimated at
s., 81, ,9O67s, and his argument that this
is the first real surplus since 1883.
He starts his lengthy report with a de-
tailed attack upon previous methods of
figuring the surplus. These, he says,
simply showed the difference between re-
ceipts and expenditures and did not take
into account either amounts paid for
debts incurred in previous fiscal years,
or debts incurred and unpaid in the fiscal
year reported. The assumption that these
two errors would balance each other, he
says, was unfOunded and caused the
false appearance of a better condition
than the actual one because OF the in
creased amount of business done each
successive year.
The receipts for the year were $266, ,619,-
525.65, an increase OF more than per
cent over the preceding year, as COM
pared with a corresponding increase Of
4 per cent reported twelve months ago.
The larger increase he attributes to the
1913. He praises the parcel post work OF
the Postoffice Department, declaring that
about 10000, coo pieces were handled dur
ing the first six months Of operation.
Parcel post reaches everywhere,
whereas private expresses extend their
operations only to profitable territory"
he says Twenty millions of rural resi-
dents now have house-to-house delivery
and collection of parcels, a service form
erly to be had only in cities and towns"
Rates Paid Railroads.
Mr.. Burleson goes into the matter of
the railroads complaining of unjust treat
ment regarding amounts paid for handling
mail matter in some detail. He srgues
that the railroads have received large
benefits from the governments, State and
national: that they are in law post roads;
that they are performing a governmental
function in carrying mail; that the gov
ernment is not carrying on the postoffice
business for profit; that the carriage Of
the mails by the railroads contributes TO
their prosperity in other lines and that
for all these reasons, railroads should
carry mails for less than they charge
like commercial business
He attacks the second-class mail priv
lege, saying:
The mailings of newspapers and peri
odicals as second-class matter at the l.
cent-a-pound-rate and free in the county
Of publication during the fiscal year 1913
were greater than during any previous
year. and for the first time in the history
of the postal service exceeded a billion
pounds. Although second-class matter
constituted approximately s. per cent of
the aggregate weight OF the domestic
revenue-producing mail, it produced only
4SS per cent Of the postage derived from
such mail"
He declares that until rates on second
class matter are adjusted no serious
consideration can be given to plans for
revising and reducing rates on first-cIass
mail matter"
Taking up the question of aerial mail
service, the Postmaster reported fifty
four instances where pieces were carried
by air routes and adds it is believed that
there are sections where aerial means Of
transportation may advantageously be
installed. In the 1915 estimates $4,000 for
aerial experimentation has been included
Postal Savings System.
Mr.. Burleson urges that the postal saw
ings system be extended. He saws the
number Of depositors on June 30 was ss1.-
006 and their deposits were $50, 3,SlSS7o hut
he adds that a conservative estimate in
dicates more money has been refused by
the system than has been accepted. For
this reason he asks the abolition of the
rule limiting deposits Of any one month
to 800 and total deposits to $500. He
urges that unlimited deposits be allowed.
but interest granted only on 1900 or
less. He says that practically all the
money deposited comes from persons who
are afraid to use even savings banks. II
is money which otherwise would be
boarded.
The Postmaster defends the franking
privilege, declaring that the abuses are
inconsiderable. He says the free trans
portation of official mail is not the only
service rendered by the department of
which no account is kept, instancing the
inspection system. During the fiscal year
the inspectors investigated 2,S79 suspected
swtndling schemes, arrested $40 persons
and obtained S4 convictions. The oper-
ations Of those convicted are estimated
to have cost the public $4,000. He
adds that in the last two years reported
more than 1000 persons have been ar
rested for mail swindles, their operations
representing loss Of S12s.oOO,OOO to the
public.
Mr.. Burleson makes these recommenda-
tons for legislation besides those men
toned above:
That the Postofice Department b0l
given exclusive jurisdiction over the Sc |
lection Of the sites for public buildings |
tc be used wholly for postoffice purposes |
ard joint authority with the Secretary of |
The Treasury in the selection of sites for
Federal buildings used jointly by the
postal and other branches Of the govern |
nent service.
Elimination of Surety Bonds.
To amend existing law in order. to al
ow 5000 Indemnity for accidental death
u any officer or employe of the postal
service as for death within one year as |
he result of injuries sustained in the
service in the line of duty, &C. =
The elimination Of surety bonds now
equired Of postal officers and employees
md the substitution Of guarantee fund
established and maintained by assess
nents II
To permit the Postmaster General to