The Detroit times., 1913-12-18


for lie actual operation.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 1S.-Advo-
cacy Of public ownership of all tele-
phone and telegraph lines in the
United States and the announce
ment that the postoffice department
is now selfsupporting for the first
time since 1883 are the outstanding
features OF the annual report of Post
masterGeneral Burleson, transmitted
TO congress last night.
Postmaster-General Burleson de-
clares that the successful operation
Of the parcels post has demonstrated
the ability Of the government to un-
dertake the control OF public utili-
ties. He reports that the revenues
from the postal service for the year
ending June 80, 1913. exceeded the
cost of maintenance and that there
10 an actual present surplus Of $3.-
s41.906.7s.
Among the more important recon-
mendations for legislation may. be
mentioned the following:
That the postoffice department be
given exclusive jurisdiction over the
selection OF the sites for public
buildings to be used wholly for post
ONCE purposes. and 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
ment service.
To amend existing law in order
to allow $4,000 Indemnity for acct
dental death Of any officer or en-
ploye OF the postal service or Tor
death within one year as the result
Of injuries sustained In the service
In the line Of duty. Provision Is also
made for leave with full pay for a
period Of one year for injuries sus-
tanned In line Of duty and then at
half pay for not exceeding one year
additional. This Is an important
recommendation for the reason that
the existing law applies only to rail-
way postal clerks. sea post clerks,
and postofice inspectors.
The elimination OF surety bonds
now required OF postal officers ana
employees and the substitution OF q
guaranty fund established and main
tanned by assessments prescribed py
the postmaster-general.
To authorize the postmaster-Gen-
eral TO contract for experimental
aerial mail service, for which an es-
innate of $4,000 has been sub
mitted.
On June 30 the postale savings
system was In operation at l2,l6s
Offices, OF which 1927 were OF the
presidential grade and 1891 OF the
fourth class. Savings facilities have
also been extended to $50 branches
and stations. making total OF H.
$40 repositories In operation on that
date. Since June 30 the service has
been extended to 210 presidential
offices not heretofore designated az
depositories. completing the installa-
lion of savings facilities at all presi-
dental postofices. except those In
the Hawaiian Islands and In Porto
Rico. to which the service will soon
be extended in accordance with ar
ransements that have already been
perfected. 1t will be extended TO
other postoffices and stations as rap
idly az demand Is shown.
The number OF savings depositors
on June 80 was 331,006 and the
amount on deposit to their crent
was $33,S1S.S7O.
Aerial Mail Service.
Since the first authorization OF ex'
detrimental aerial mail service IN
1911 the department has given ike
permission In 81 instances. con.
siderable number OF pieces OF mali
has been carried in this manner. but
without expense to the department.
In connection with the transporta-
ton service an item has been includ-
ed in the 1915 estimates for $5O,0Oo
to provide for AN experimental ser
vice. 1t is believed that there are
sections OF the country where, pe-
cause of Typographical conditions.
this class of service might be adj
vantageously employed In some cases.
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