Albuquerque morning journal., 1914-12-14
P0sT0FHCE IS
ON PAYING BASIS,
SAYS BURLEs0N
Declares Department Is Self
sustaining for the First Time
Since Its Organization by
Benjamin Franklin. n


ganizatlon by Eenjamln Franklin, IN,
rostoffice department is on a self
sustaining basis. Postmaster Genera
Burlcson submitted 10 President Ayil
son today his annual report. II records
enormous growth In the departmentt
business because OF the parcels pos
and postal savings hank divisions ans
recommends a program of postal log
islation TO increase the scope uf tn,
departments activities.
Mr.. Burleson features his repor
with an estimate that n surplus q
w. .56s. bf5. the second OF his admin.
lstration. Will be shown for the fisca
year OF 1914 when all claims ant
charges have been met. On tha
showing he bases his declaration thai
the department has been securely
placed upon seif-sustaining basis.
1T is safo TO say" the report adds
that unless unnsuul conditions
should arise. resulting in abnormal
depression of business, there Is nc
danger OF recurring deficiencies
Legislative Program.
The legislative program recon-
mcnded is as follows as 10 lis most
important features:
Early, action toward government
ownership OF telegraph and telephone
lines ana immediate taking over OF
these systems In Hawaii. Alaska. and
Porto Rico. Transfer Of the Alaska
cable from war to postoffice depart
fnent control. d..
substitution of contract "star
route" system for salnriod rurnl csfr-
ricr service TO eliminate 10000, 900
annnnl loss on rural delivery
Postofficc cooperation with state
IN road building whore
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 topo-
graphy warrants. and extension OF
motor truck and automobile service
In view of recent successful expert
ments.
Passage by senate OF pending bill
providing space basis of compensa-
tion 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.
Readjustment Of postmasters' sal
aries on basis of changes in business
handled due TO parcel post develop
mefit "A
Raising of second class rates on
other than newspapers
ssued once week from one TO two
,cnts pound
Granting the department legal jur-
sdietion over selection OF sites and
designs for postal buildings. 4
Growth of Parcels Post.
OF the parcels post during the last
fear. the report says:
Rapid growth of the parcels post
vastly increased postal business dur
ng the year. The departments field
iervice has expanded at a phenome-
ial rate; 1t Is still expanding. Not
the decreases of parcels
,ost rates authorized January l. 1914,
of administration have
Sept expenses within the revenues"
OF the departments financial con-
lition. the report says:
THE postal revenues for 1914
mounted to S3s7. .934s565.67,. ap in
rease over the preceding year of |
lightly less than per cent. as COM
jared with a corresponding increase
f slightly more than per cent for I
9i2. The audited expenditures for |
he year amounted to s2Ss,5f3, ,769.i6, I
nd the adjusted losses due to fire,
urglary. etc. to s1s.33s.i6 The cx-
ess Of audited revenues over audited
expenses and losses is. therefore 81
6.46s.05.
This audited surplus does not.
owevcr. represent the actual finanl
ial results for the year II Involves
Of amounts that are not +
'roperly comparable. II does not in-i
lude obligations which were In L
urred but not paid within the year.
fhile it does include some payments
n account of obligations incurred in
rior years. ,Ns
A statement follows Of revenues
nd expenses based upon the reported
evenues ana the estimated expenses
I the service Tor that year and the
epoft adds: +;
ION this basis. the revenues for the
seal year ended June 30. 1915 arc
,und to exceed BY ss.a69,6S7 the ex-
enses Tor maintenance during the
ame period. While the announce
rent establishes confidence in the !
lct that the service Is being econom-
ally Administered 1t must be bornc '
! mind that of the convenience and !
cnefit provided the public. which q
lust be secured irrespective OF tho I'll =
nncial outlay required J
The surplus for the voar inst I
osed. though substantial in amount =
ecessarily represents an approximate !
1justment of revenues and disbnrse- Y
Ients, made possible by economies in
iministration; compared with the
,lume Of transactions: ii is believed.
lerefore that q Recommendation for
ie re.uction of postage rates or feps !
not warranted at this time"
Government Owncrshin.
Reviewing his recommendations
n government ownership Of tele-
'aph and telephone lines. Mr.. Burle- Z
m says. c
The postmaster general renews y
e recommendation embodied in his Z
st annual report that congress seri- p
isly consider the question of leclar
z a government monopoly over All | Z
ilities for the public transmission az =
telllgence and that steps be taken \
soon as practicable TO Incorporate J
to the postal establishments the I
legraph and telephone systems of (.
e country.
In that report reference was made
the anomalous condition in this
'untry under which the telegraph
Id telephone utilities, being vehicles
r the public transmission of intelli-
nee. infringe upon function re-
rived by the constitution to the ma
NAL government. They inherently
we'll as constitntionaily, belong Ia
e postal service The firm conviction
the department is here reiterated
at telegraph and telephone service
inevitably monopeiistic and, when
,crXfe6 IIrIar rr;tsat..f