Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-10-08
Exclamation of the "GroWing
Number" of Parcel Post In
delnnity Claims.
CASES FILED TO JULY II
SHOW TOTAL OF $11,224
Postmaster General Estimates for
Future Payments Based on Pos
sible Business, Showing Profit.

Postmaster General Burleson is not
dismayed by 'the growing number of
indemnity cases arising in connection
with the parcel post service" nor is
he anticipating the restoration of the
registration privilege for fourth-class
or parcel post matter to check losses.
This statement was made with some
emphasis at the Post Office Department
by an official authorized to speak upon
the subject.
The fact that the department in its
estimates has asked that SOS, 900 be ap-
propriated for the payment of indem-
nifty for lost parcel post matter during
the fiscal year ending June 30. 1914.
1t was said, when only $4,000" had
| been set apart for that purpose for the
| fiscal year ending June 80, 1913 has
given rise TO some faulty predictions
and some faultier figuring. The rea-
son for the sixty-fve-thousand-do dollar
estimate for 1914 is given as follows
Payment Tor lost insured parcel post
matter UP to the beginning of the fiscal
| year July l, 1913, had been made from
aiiotments from two lump sums appro-
priated for the parcel post service, each
amounting to $4,000. or $500. 900 in the
aggregate. Up to July IL, $4,000 had
been allotted for this purpose for the six
months from January / to and including
June 30, 1918.
Shows Balance Of $3,775.76.
At the close Of business July II the
amount OF the insurance claims approved
was Sill, 224.24, leaving a balance of the
total sum allotted amounting to $3,77576.
The examination of these claims ap-
proved showed an aggregate value of
S93S each. July II there were approx
mately oo claims outstanding. which, if
approved at the same average value,
would total S7.5O4. which added to the
$u,224.A already approved, would make
the total for the six months SIS "a
or TOT a whole year. on the same basis,
This is the basis under which the de-
partment undertook to make its estimates
Tor the fiscal year ending June 80. 1914.
july the Insurance fee on matter val
ueo at No or less was reduced to cents
leaving the fee on matter valued above
that amount and not exceeding $50 at 10
cents. 1t wss estimated that this would
result In a big increase in business, suffi-
Gent at any rate to equal the revenues
the department. would derive had there
been no change in the fee. It was also
estimated, 1t Is stated, that the new c.
y. ~. feature of the service, which be-
came effective July 1 last. would result
In an additional increase of business
amounting practically to the total amount
Of the business done in the mai, other.
wise insured Estimates as TO the total
amount OF all this parcel post business
Tor 1914 vary from 400.0O0OOO pieces up.
But as no reliable data were available
when the estimates for 1914 were
made, 1t was stated, other than thai
ALREADY given it was deemed wise to
ask for an indemnity fund OF $4,000
which the third assistant postmaster
general. after reviewing the figures,
concluded might safely be reduced to
$3.50 as a Conservative figure
/ In the effort to get even an approx
mate Idea or the prospective business
and the revenue that might be expect
ed. recourse was made to the figures
Of the sixty leading offices, which
during January and February last. were
found to have handled ass, 2e6 insured
parcels valued at an average Of $11.31
| each
It was estimated, IL this average would
be maintained for the six months OF the
fiscal year ending June 30, 1913, at the
Decent fee, the figures would show a
from fees of $40, 1880. And II the same
percentage were maintained throughout
| the entire country the revenue for the six
months from fees would aggregate $314,-
S07.20 and or the same basis the revenue
| for the fiscal year ending June 80. 1914.
which the estimated $65,O00 for indem-
mites to be paid would be chargeable.
This would leave a profit to the govern
ment from the fees amounting to 1884,
GAO, without considering any possible
| increase in the general business.
For these reasons, 1t was stated. the
Postmaster General is not at all appre-
hensive as to the future, nor does he feel
there is any need for alarm at the losses
| in the new parcel post service