Tonopah daily bonanza. [volume] (Tonopah, Nev.) 1906-1929, 1914-12-14

nv AsAOciated Preas.b
WASHINGTON, Dec. 14-Asserting
that for the first time since its or
ganization by Benjamin Franklin, the
post office department is on self
sustaining basis. Postmaster General
Burleson submitted to President VIII
son today his annual report 1t re-
cords enormous growth in the depart
ments business because of the par
cells post and postal savings bank di-
visions and recommends program
OF postal Legislation to increase the
scope OF the departments activities.
Mr.. Burleson features his report
with an estimate that surplus of
$3569.545, the second of his admins
tration. will be shown for the fiscal
wear OF 1914 when all claims and
charges have been met. On that
showing he bases his declaration
that the department has been Sc
curely placed upon self-sustaining
basis"
ut is safe to say" the report adds,
chat unless unusual conditions
should arise, resulting in abnormal
depression of business, there is no
danger of recurring deficiencies"
The legislative program recon-
mended is as follows as to its most
important features:
Government Ownership.
Early action toward government
ownership Of telegraph and telephone
lines and immediate taking over OF
these systems In Hawaii. Alaska and
Porto Rico Transfer of the Alaska
cable from war to post office depart
ment control
Substitution Of contract star
route" system for salaried rural car.
rier service to eliminate $40.000.000
loss on rural delivery
Post office cooperation with state
governments In road building where
improvements insure better postal
service.
Raising maximum balance accept
able at postal banks from $500 to
$4,000, interest payments to be linn
tied TO $1,000. Removal OF monthly
deposit limit restriction
Aerial mail service, where topog-
raphy warrants and extension OF mo-
tor truck and automobile service in
view OF recent sucee ssful expert
ments.
Passage by senate OF pending bill
providing space basis OF compensa.
ton for railroads on mail carried in.
stead of weight basis
Pending change in rural delivery
system, computation OF carriers sal
aries on basis Of services performed.
dependent on bulk of mail carried. to
stimulate business
REIMBURSEMENT of postmasters sal
aries on basis Of changes in business
handled due TO parcel post develop
ment
Raising of second-class rates on
publications other than newspapers
issned once a week from one to two
cents pound.
Granting the department legal ju-
risdiction over selection of sites and
designs for postal buildings.
OF the parcel post during the last
year the report says:
Rapid growth of the parcel post
vastly increased postal business dur
ing the year. The departments field
OF service has expanded at a phe-
nomenal rate; II is still expanding.
Notwithstanding the decreases of par
eelpost rates authorized January 1,
1914. economies of administration
nave kept expense within the rev
enues"
OF the departments financial condi.
ZION the report says:
Financial Report.
The postal revenues for 1914
amounted to $287, 1874 ,565.67, an In
crease over the preceding year OF
slightly less than 8 per cent, as com
pared With corresponding increase
OF slightly more than per cent fol
1913 The audited expenditures fol
the year amounted to $3.50, 543. 769. 16
ana the adjusted losses due to fire
burglary, etc, to $1433346. The ex
cess OF tudited revenues over audited
expenses and losses is, therefore
1896, 1853 O5.
This audited surplus does not
however represent the actual fnan
cal results for the year 1t involves
comparison Of amounts that are no
properly comparable. II does not in
clude obligations which are INQUIRE,
put not paid within the year, Will
II does include some payments OF
account of obligations incurred Il
prior years"
A statement follows of revenue
ana expenses based upon the report
"a revenues and the estimated eS
penses of the service for that yea
and the report adds.
On this basis. the revenues 10
lhe fiscal year ended June 80, 1871.
are found to exceed by $3,569,687 tn
expenses for maintenance during tn
same period. While the announc,
ment establishes confidence In tn
lact that the service is being ecol
omically administered, 1t must b
porne In mind that Of the conven
ence and benefit provided the publ
winch must be secured irrespectiy
" me financial outlay required.