The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1914-12-14
ARRAIGNS ABUSE OF FRANKING RIGHT.

ARRAIGNS ABUSE o
The Postmaster General scathingly ar
Iaisns abuse OF the frankirg privilege
urder which his department is compelled
70 handle tons of mail matter free.
points with pride TO the fact that the
iostal Service was a money maker, and
shows a surplus of over 100000 for the
last tscsl year, but warns that condi-
lions will not merit or justify a recon-
men6stion for lower rates on first class
mail matter at the present time. Trans
fer of the Government-owned telegraph
snu telephone lines in Alaska, Porto
Rico, and the Hawaiian Islands is also
recon nlended.
Tho Postmaster General asks for an
preparation of $4,000 for the estab-
yshment of experimental aerial mail
routes where topograp hical conditions
make il desirable.
Lauds Postal Savings System.
The report records an astounding
growth OF the parcel post; points to
Toe service performed by the postal
savings banks In stesdying financial
Conditions during the crisis preclp.tated
in this country by the war In Europe:
and recommends an extension OF the
system 10 permit OIL larger uepcSiA6.
Attention is called 10 efforts to enecI
sn exchange OF postal money orders
With all OF the countries and colonies
or South and Central America (which
exchange, it is believed. will in the
present situation greatly stimulate
Jsde and commerce with these coun-
rFies.
The Postmaster General tells in de-
tail Of reoFganiZatlons and improve
nsnts introduced in the Railway Mall
La off II
uffices. including that in Washington.
It'll the twc-divlsion plan, which have
prompt handling of the additional bulk
of mail created by the parcel post; and
praises the work OF the department
lSw officers and inspection service in
enforcement OF the fraud order statutes.
Changes Recommended.
Other important recommendations
are:
That the space basis of compensat-
ing railroads for carrying the mails
authorized in the Moon bill, which
mas passed the House and is now
pending in the Senate. be adopted in
leu OF the existing weight basis
That to partially eliminate the
S4e,OQ0.o00 annual loss in the delivery
OF rural mail, the contract or star
rOute' system Of delivery be substi-
JuteG for the present salaried rural
That while the present salaried sys-
lem remains in operation, Congress
sanction the method of computing
Irsl carriers pay adopted in the
icstmsster Generals order which
grants the maximum compensation
only in case OF the maximum per-
foTmance." and which. by making pay
somewhat dependent upon the bulk
- mail carried. will stimulate the
development Of revenue-prOducing
hA fuWr lot
Aid For Good Roads.
That wherever road Improvement
..TomiseS compensatory economy in
ne handling Of mail, the Postoffce
department cooperate with the States
a building mdoern highways.
That the PoStofflce Department be
Tally recognized az having authority
Yer the selection OF sites and in passing
con the designs for buildings to he
cd Tor postal purposes.
That postage rates on second class
'r-st-er he readjusted, as heretofore
commanded. so that the rates on pub
st!ons other than newspapers issued
- Frequently ss once a week be in
.s"ssed nom cent pound to cents a
olnd
"a connection with extension of the
rlpnev order system with all Of the
.rrntries Of the Americas, Mr.. Burle-
.,E reviews the efforts being made for
. adoption OF a 2-cent letter rate
'n-oughout the Western hemisphere.
Big Legal Victory.
the report speaks with satisfaction
e. the departments legal victory in
e Diviscr case, which saved the Gov
,,gment $500 noo: refers TO the prog
.ess OF experiments in free delivery Of
ali in small towns and villages: tells
q the slOJgg o year saving accom-
Ished by the reorganization Of the
I'd letter office. and submits drafts Of
-. numerous legislative measures
.-Elch VIII be necessary 10 carry cut
fft depa rtment'S recommendations.
WITH respect 20 the finances Of the
--sNice the report says:
II Is gratifying to report a second
real postal surplus under the present
ADMINISTRATION. The surplus for the
81 Just ended amounts to approx
ately 3 ClovJt''
Marvellous growth and development
abs the recent history Of The parcel
est" Gays the report Although IN
~aeratiOn less than two years, this
-rvice has expanded from an expert
a"ntsl facility Of, limited advantages
no universal TRANSPORTATION agency.
soo,ooo,ooo Parcels Handled.
There. is every -eason TO believe
at the Postal Service il now handling
.pTc than SD,GG1,001 parcels annually.
Careful investigation has shown that
Joss ny damage TO parcels has been
IsaLCed 20 seven oae-hundTcdths Of J
.sg cent on I. .. Il. and insured par
els. respectively. From actual count
r has beer found that the damagr
.ss 70 ordinary parcels while in the
4ails is oniv OGc-lenth Of ] per cent
% the entire number handled. Damage
GEES has been due to improper packing
sher than TO the method Of handling"
80 re vnn nAn