The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1914-12-14
POSTAL DEPARTMENT
ON SELF-SUSTAINING
BASIS FOR THE FIRST
TIME SAYS BURLESON
Continued from Page one)

ttOntinue0 from rage One)
ton 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 during the year.
The department S field of service has ex-
panded at phenomenal rate; it is still
expanding. Notwithstanding the de-
creases of parcel post rates authorized
January /, 1914, economies of admins,
tration have kept expenses within the
revenues"
OF the departments financial condition
the report says:
THE postal revenues for 1914 amounted
to s2S7, 1884 565.67, an increase over the pre-
ceding year of slightly less than per
cent. as compared with corresponding
Increase of slightly more than per cent
for 1913. The audited expenditures for
the year amounted to 1888 543, 1853. 16, and
the adjusted losses due to fire burglary.
etc, to sl4,333. 46. The excess of audited
revenues over audited expenses and losses
is, therefore, s4,S76. 46S5.o5.
Comparison Involved
This audited surplus does not how
ever, represent the actual financial re-
suits for the year. 1t involves COMPARE
son of amounts that are not properly
comparable. 1t does not include obliga-
tons incurred in prior years"
A statement follows of revenues and
expenses of the service for that year and
the report adds:
"On this basis the revenues for the
fiscal year ended June so, 1911. are
found to exceed by s3,569, 6S7 the en-
penses for maintenance during the
same period. While the announcement
establishing confidence in the fact that
the service is being economically ad-
ministered, it must be borne in mind
that of the convenience and benefit pro-
vided the public, which must be Sc
cured irrespective of the financial out
lay required.
The surplus for the year just end
ed, though substantial in amount, nee
essarily represents an approximate adj
justment of revenues and disburse-
ments. made possible by economies In
administration compared with the vol
ume of transactions; it is believed,
therefore, that a recommendation for
the reduction of postage rates or fees
Is not warranted at this time
Reviewing his recomme ndations for
government ownership of telegraph
and telephone lines, Mr.. Burleson says:
Renews Recommendations
THE Postmaster General renews the
recommendation embodied in his last
annual report that Congress seriously
consider the question of declaring n
government monopoly over all utilities
for the public transmission of intel
ligence and that steps be taken as soon
as practicable to incorporate into the
postal establishment the telegraph and
telephone systems of the country.
'In that report reference was made
to the anomalous condition in this
country under which the telegraph
and telephone utilities, being vehicles
for the public transmission of intel
ligenee, infringe upon a function re-
served by the constitution to the ma
tional government. They inherently, as
well as constitutionally. belong TO the
postal service. The firm conviction of
the department is here reiterated that
telegraph and telephone service is in
evitably monopolistic and, when cper-
ated under private control, does not
render the maximum of public serv-
ice at the minimum cost to the people.
sit is an interesting fact that.
whereas policies of government have
been advocated and some adopted, the
constitutionality OF which have been
seriously questioned. the principle of
government ownership and control of
the telegraph and telephone finds its
greatest strength in the constitution.
This opinion has been shared by prac-
tidally all Postma sters General OF the
United States, who have held that the
welfare and happiness of the nation
depend upon the fullest utilization of
these agencies by the people, which can
| only be accomplished through govern
! ment ownership.
Already Government Owned
| at is also recommended that the tele-
graph and telephone facilities of Alassa,
Porto Rico and the Hawaiian Islands be
| at once taken over and operated by the
postoffice department This recommends
ton is based on an exhaustive investiga-
ton which disclosed that the conditions
in these territories are generally such
! as to favor the change. A large part of
\ the property involved Is already govern
mont owned and operated in Alaska by
the war department and in Porto Rico
| by the insular government. The services
are so detached geographically as to pre-
clude complicated relationships with
| neighboring systems and are yet suf
| ficient in extent to afford valuable ex-
detrimental demonstration for the posta
/ service looking to the administration
| eventually of a complete national service
| This action will have the effect oil
STRENGTHENING the national government in
its outlying territories. and is specially
| recommended because of the expediency
of taking over the private ownership:
| before elaborate and costly extensions
and Implications of service have beer
built up"
Defining the general policy he has pur
sued. Mr.. Burleson says:
1.-The service has been administered fol