Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1913-02-08

WASHINGTON, Feb. 2.-Postmaster
General Hitchcock's annual report
made public today. tentatively sug-
gests reduction Of some parcel post
rates and increasing the limit Of
weight beyond eleven pounds; recon-
mends civil pensions for postal en-
ployes; an increase in rates on second
class mail which may pave the way
for one cent letter postage; the con-
>sofidation of the third and fourth
classes so books and papers may be
forwarded by parcel post; and points
out that during his administration, ex-
pense of operating the postal service
has been cut down $45,000,000.
In course of a statement on the con
dition of postal finances, Mr.. Hitch
cock says in his report:
In 1911, for the first time since
1888, postal receipts exceeded postal
expenditures, leaving a surplus in
stead of a deficit. A heavy loss of
revenue in 1912 due to the extraordi-.
nary amount of franked matter mailed
in the political campaign, created a
temporary deficit, but since the close
of the fiscal year the income of the
Department again has outstripped ex-
penses.
THE year preceding the present ad-
ministration was marked by the larg-
est postal deficit on record. amounting
TO $17,500000. During the next two
years the deficit was greatly reduced
and later eliminated. When compared
with the financial showing Of four
years ago the reports of income and
expense for subsequent years indicate
an aggregate saving of about $4,000,
600.
Savings Banks Succeed.
The establishing Of postal savings
banks at Presidential postoffices was
completed early in the fiscal year,
ended June 80, 1912-the year covered
in the report Since then the system
has been extended to 4,0O4 fourth
class postoffices, as we'll as to 645
branch offices and stations in the
larger cities There are now 1882
postal savings banks at which pat
rons may open accounts. The num-
to $l3,4127O in Honolulu and $3.50
in Hilo, total of $13,5OS. Land sales
made on the island OF Hawaii under
the act of 1911, making the proceeds
available only for the purchase of
property on that island. amounted to
$4447. The government has pur-
chased in Hilo property to the value
of $13,777, which with the purchases
under the act of 1909 makes a total
of $z7,2S5, leaving a balance of $l3S6
which has been placed to the credit
of Hilo.
The Brewer Estate, through the
agency of the Hawaiian Trust CO.,
Ltd, has commissioned Ripley
Davis, architects. to prepare the
plans for a modern business build
ing on the old Bulletin office site,
on King street directly facing the
federal building site. 1t is expected
that work Of construction will begin
inside of two months. The building
will be, of four stories, it's material re-
infOrced concrete, and ii will have the
most approved type Of elevator. WITH
air and light space on all four sides,
the building will be among the most
desirable for business purposes IN
town. Nothing will be spared to make
this latest of the several Brewer
buildings in the city an ornament TO
the commercial architecture of HO-
nOlulu.
Close 70 a hundred of the POrtu-
guese and Spanish immigrants lately
brought to Hawaii at the expense Of
the territorial gOVernme.S crowded
the steerage Of the steamer Sierra
leaving San Francisco today in search
Of what they deem to be better pick
in2s Of fortune on the mainland.
There is steady business in real
estate. although not so unusually large
as TO constitute a boom. One agency
disposed of lots to the aggregate Of
$40. 900 in prices within a few weeks
mast Wol6eNpr 4 Whitaker rpDOrr