East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1914-12-14

graph and Telephone Lines.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 14.-In his
annual report. made public today,
Postmaster Geeral Albert s. Burle-
son announces the second consecutive
postal surplus OF his administration
and points out that now. for the first
time in its history, the postal estab-
lishment has been securely placed up
on a self-sustaining basis.
The report contains many other in.
teresting and important features. II
records an astounding growth OF the
parcel post; points to the service per-
formed by the postal savings banks In
steading financial conditions during
the crisis precipitated in this country
by the war In Europe: tells OF reor-
ganiZations and Improvements intro
duced in the railway mail service and
In the larger city post offices which
have assured prompt handling OF the
additional bulk OF the mail created by
the parcel post: and reveals the ag-
gresslve and effective work OF the
departments law officers and inspec.
tion service in renewing the enforce
ment Of the fraudorder statutes.
Among the numerous recommended
tlons made TO congress, these are the
most important:
That early action be taken look
ing to government ownership OF all
telegraph and telephone facilities.
That the telegraph and telephone
systems OF Alaska. Porto Rico. and
the Hawaiian Islands, including the
Alaskan cable now operated by the
war department, he Immediately ta-
ken over and operated by the post Of
flee department
That the space basis OF compensat-
ing railroads for carrying the malls
authorized In II. r. 1902. known as
the Moon bill. which has passed the
house and Is now pending before the
senate. be adopted in lieu OF the ex-
Istlng weight basis.
That TO partially eliminate the S40.-
600. 900 annual loss IN the delivery OF
rural mail the contract or STAR
route" system OF delivery he suhsti-
tuted for the present salarled rural
delivery service.
That while the present salaried sys-
tenn remains in operation. congress
sanction the method OF computing ru-
raj carriers pay adopted in the post
master Generals order which grants
"the maximum compensation only In
case OF the maximum performance"
and which. by making pay someYhat
dependent upon the bulk OF mail car
ried. will stimulate the development
OF revenue-producing business in the
rural districts.
That wherever road improvement
promises compensatory economy in !
the handling OF mail the post office
department cooperate with the states
in building modern highways.
That the salaries OF postmasters be
readjusted to accord with changes in |
the flow Of postal traffic incident to
the development Of the parcel post,
That the post office department be
legally recognized as having author
ity over the selection OF sites and in
passing upon the designs for buildings
to be used for postal purposes.
That postage rates on second class
matter be readjusted as heretofore
recommended. so that the rates on
publications other than newspapers
issued as frequently as once n week
be increased from cent a pound to
2 cents a pound.
That the limit upon the amount
which may be accepted in a calendar
month from depositor IN n postal
savings bank be removed and that tho
maximum balance which may be ac-
cepted from a depositor be increased
from $500 to $4,000. limiting the am
cunt to which interest shall be paid
to $1,000.
That aerial mail service he intro
duced wherever typographical condi-
tions make II desirable
That extensions OF the use OF gov
automobiles and mo-
tor trucks in certain OF the larger
post offices be authorized in view of
successful experiments conducted dur.
Ing the last year.