The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1913-12-20

million more.
Mr.. Burleson goes into the matter
of the railroads complained of unjust
treatment regarding amounts paid for
handling mail matter in some detail.
He argues that the railroads have re-
ceived large benefits from the govern
ments, State and National; that they
are in law post roads, that they are
performing governmental function
In carrying mail, that the government
is not carrying on the postoffice busi-
ness 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.
lie attacks the second class mail
privilege, saying:
The mailings of newspapers and
periodicals. O. eeeond- class matter ut
|t)ses ssuksa. .p6asad -fats ana -free IN the
county of publications during the fiscal
year 1913 were greater than during
any previous year, and for the first
time In the history Of the postal SER
vice exceeded billion pounds. AL
though second-class matter consti-
tuted approximately 62 per cent of
the aggro Sate weight of the domestic
revenue producing mail. it produced
only 4.9S per cent of the postage de-
rived from such mail"
He declares that until rates on
second-class matter are adjusted mo
serious consideration can be given to
plans for revising and reducing rates
on first class mail matter"
Taking up the question of aerial
mail service, the postmaster reported
% instances where pieces were car
ried by air routes and adds it is be-
lieved that there are sections where
aerial means of transportation may
advantageously be installed In the
1915 estimates $4,000 for aerial ex-
perimentation has been included.
Mr.. Burleson urges that the postal
savings system be extended. He says
the number OF depositors on June 80
was 331,006 and their deposits were
S33,S1S,S7O, but he adds that q con-
servative estimate indicates more
money has been refused by tn, sys-
tenn than has been accepted For this
reason he asks the abolition Cf the
rule limiting deposits Of any one
month To 800 and total deposits to
$500. He urges that unlimited de-
posits be allowed. but interest grant
ed only on $1,000 or less. He says
that practically all the money de-
posted comes from persons who are
afraid to use even savings banks. 1t
is money which otherwise would be
hoared.
The postmaster defends the frank
ing privilege, declaring that the
abuses are inconsiderable. He says
the free transportation of official mail
Is not the only service rendered by
the department OF which no account
is kept, instancing the inspection sys-
TEN. During the fiscal year the in
spectors investigated 2,S79 suspected
swindling schemes. arrested $40 per-
sons and obtained 30i convictions
The operations of those convicted are
estimated to have cost the public
50 100000. He adds that in the last
two years reported moro than L.
600 persons have been arrested for
mail swindlcs. their operations rep
resenting loss of $4,000 900 to tho
public
Mr. Burlcson makes these recon-
mcndations for legislation besides
those mentioned above:
That the postoiiicc department bc
Eivcn exclusive Jurisdiction over the
selection Of the sites for public build +
ings To he used wholly for postonicc
and joint authority with the
secretary of the treasury i'm the selcc-
tion of sites for federal buildings used
Jointly hy the postal and other branch .
cs of the government service.