The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1914-12-14
ENORMOUS GROWTH
DUE TO PARCEL POST
Says Postmaster General Burleson In An
nual Report in Which He Declares
Postoffice Department is on Self
sustaing Basis For First Time.

, Washington, ID. O., Dec. l4.-Assert
ing for the first time since its organiza
ton by Benjamin Franklin, the post
office department is on self-sustaininl
basis, Postmaster General Burleson sub
mitted to President Wilson to-day hi
annual report. II records enormous
lgrowth in the departments business be
cause of the parcel post and postal saw
ings bank divisions and recommends 9
program of postal legislation to increase
the scope of the departments activi
ties.
Mr.. Burleson features this report witt
an estimate that a surplus of $3,569,5 45
the second of his administration, will be
shown for the fiscal year of 1914 when
all claims and charges have been met
On that showing he bases his declara-
| ton that the department "has been Sc
curely placed upon a self-sustaining ba-
sis"
1T is safe to say" the report adds,
that unless unusual conditions should
arise, resulting in abnormal depression
of business, there is no danger of recur-
ring deficiencies
The legislative program recommended
is as follows, as to its most important
features:
Early action toward government own
ership of telegraph and telephone lines
and immediate taking over of these sys-
tens in Hawaii, Alaska, and Porto Rico.
Transfer of the Alaska cable from war
to postofiice department control.
Substitution of contract "star route"
system for salared rural carrier sery-
ice to eliminate $400000O0 annual loss
on rural delivery.
Postoiice cooperation with state gov
ernments in road building where inn
provement insures better postal service.
Raising maximum balance acceptable
at postal banks from $500 to $1,000, i'm
terest payments to be limited to 81 900.
Removal of monthly deposits limit re-
striction.
Aerial mail service, where topography
warrants, and extension of motor truck
and automobile service in view of recent
successful experiments.
Passage by senator of pending bill pro-
viding space basis of compensation for
railroads on mail carried instead of
weight basis.
Pending change in rural delivery sys-
TEN, computation of carriers salaries on
basis OF service performed, dependent on
bulk OF mail carried, TO stimulate bust
ness.
REIMBURSEMENT of postmasters' salaries
on basis OF changes in business handled
due to parcel post development.
Raising of second class rates on pub |
ieations other than newspapers issued |
once a week from one to two cents a |
pound.
Granting the department legal juris-
LECTION over selection OF sites and designs
or postal buildings.
he report says;
rapid growth OF the parcel post vast
y increased postal business during the
ear. The departments field of sery-
&c has expended at phenomenal rate;
is still expanding. Notwithstanding
he decrease OF parcel-post rates author.
zed January /, 1914, economism of ad-
has kept expenses within
be revenue"
OF the departments financial condi-
ion the report says;
"The postal revenues for 1914 amount
d TO $2s7 1874, $685., an increase over the
receding year OF slightly less than eight
or cent. as compared with a correspond
lg increase OF slightly more than eight
er cent for 1913. The audited expen-
itur1s for the year amounted to $685.
q, 1863. H. and the adjusted losses due ,
, fire, burglary, etc. 10 Sl4.33,. 46 The (,
Seess of audited revenues over audited i,
expenses and losses is, therefore, 81 49, i
5305. !
This audited surplus does not, how I
yer, represent the actual financial re. .
Its for the year. II involves COMPARE
N OF amounts that are not properly ! 8
IL does not include obi !
atoms which were incurred but not !
aid within the year while it does in '
ude some payments on account Of obi I
atoms incurred in prior years. a
A statement follows Of revenues and n
.penses based upon the reported rev
lues and the estimated expenses Of the a
ryice for that year and the report 4
Ids: :
'On this basis. the revenues for the )
eal year ended June 80. 1914. are found 4
exceed by $500 6s7 the expenses for q
aintenance during the same period r,
bile the announcement establishes con.
.ence in the fact that the service i o.
ing economically administered. il must n
borne in mind that the convenience n
d benefit provided the public which ID
lst b. secured irrespective Of the f. y,
ncial outlay required q.
'The surplus for the year Just closed. n
ough substantial IN amount. necessar- Il
represents an approximately adjust r.
mt Of revenues and disbursements. NJ
ide possible By economies In admin y,
ration; compared with the volume Of 81
insacti0us; II IL believed. Therefore.
~ a recommendation for the reduction I'd
postage rates or fees is not warranted III
this time" la
Review ING he recommendation for lth
rernmeut Ownership Of telegraph and Of
ephone lines. Mr. Burlcson says f.
The postmaster general reutus tire 81
embodied ia Dis iast 81. a.
> report that Congress seriously con. nr
- The question q DECLARING q govern oH
VI monopoly over an ufiities for -
public transmision II fnt fiieenee isr
that sts7s p taken a. soon ~ prae- ar
shie - Incorporate into the postal o.
g h'isturuts Tire Telegraph aud tide %
sue sFsteuis of tfla r1mntrv. We
iu tlaf rfTsDft rffr-llfr uras made ua
{ =. .7I4s4.a ls.sra r.las. AZ 90 - ftE. ss