Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1915-12-17
Burlison Again Out For Control OF
Pablo Utilities.

Proposals for standardization of salaries
of all subordinate officials of the various
postoffices of the country, for the appoint
ment of postmasters of the second, third
and fourth classes by the Postmaster Gen
eral instead of by the President. and for the
erection in Washington at cost of $780,
600, of factory building for the mail
repair and equipment shops, are made in
the annual report of Postmaster General
Burleson.
Mr.. Burleson renews his recommended
tions for Government ownership of the
telephone and telegraph lines of the United
States and the Insular possessions, and
for a space instead of a weight basis of
railway mail pay. He points out the bene-
fits of an experimental aerial mail service.
and submits score or more bills for con-
sideration of Congress.
The report roundly scores the public
building policy embodied in pork barrel"
omnibus building acts, declaring that many
buildings are erected in cities where the
costs of janitor service alone greatly ex-
ceeds the amount necessary to obtain sat
isfactory quarters. including light and heat
under rental agreement.
Other recommendations made by the
Postmaster General are For the assess
ment Of directory charge of cent on
each letter or other piece of mail matter
on which the address has to be filled out
by postal employee.
For fine and Imprisonment of those US
ing the mails to defraud.
For the establishment of guarantee
fund for bonded officers to relieve them
of the expense of furnishing bonds.
For extension of the system of trans
porting periodicals. by fast freight instead
of in mail cars.
For additional compensation to the rail-
roads for transporting parcel post mails.
For a charge Of 1 cent for all letters re-
turned through the dead letter office.
For increase in the maximum of postal
savings deposits now allowed to each in
dividual.
For the removal of the four-pound weight
limit on first class mail
An audited deficit of $ll,333,308.97,
caused by the European war. Is shown in
the report. The Postmaster General says
the war cost the postal service $21,0OO.-
900.
OF the total deficit. Mr.. Burleson's analy-
sis shows, all but $309,68S16 resulted
from the increase Of salaries of postal
employees and additional railway mail pay
required by law.
Other important announcements include
the following
Startling growth of the parcel post not
withstanding the falling off in other classes
of mail. and the adoption of more liberal
regulations regarding the limit of size and
the insurance privilege.
Maintenance of frequent mail service
to all foreign countries, including the bel
lieerent countries of Europe. and impor-
tant Improvements of the facilities of pos
tai exchange between the United States
and the countries of South and Central
America.
Interesting effects Of the war in money
order and postal savings services, includ-
ing phenomenal growth of the latter
The Postmaster General says that an
investigation is being conducted as to the
feasibility of inauguratine plan of trans
porting by freight throughout the country,
the large quantities of parcel post matter
emanatins from the various departments
in Washington. instead of in the mails as
at present