Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-12-09
SURPLUS OF s5,200,OOO
REPORTED BY BURLEsON
Postmaster-Gcneral Makes Many
Recommendations for Improve.
ment OF Service.
WANTS TO CONTROL WIRE LINES
Would Have Telephone and Teie-
graph Facilities Embodied In Pos
tai establishments - STANDARDIZED
ton OF Federal Buildings Favored.
IBy Associated Props.


WASHINGTON. December y.-.post-
master General Burlcsons annual re.
port. Issued To-day. declares there was
Post-Oiiicc Department surplus of
SS'20D.o0o during tho present year and
eiluhicratcs as among tho years ac-
coihDlshmcnts Improvement OF the
parcel post. extension OF city and rural
oehFcfies and development Of the pos
tai savings system
~ surplus Of sl2.1OU.000 In shown.
says the report, for three years Of the
-FOUR tho administration hus been I'm
ofhce. and It calls attention TO de-
hclts under previous administrations.
The department makes many recon-
mendntions for improvement, Of the
service. Some OF tho most impor-
tant arc these:
That early action be taken by Con-
grc.s declaring government monop-
oily over all utilities for the public.
transmission Of Intelligence. and that
as soon as possible the telephone and
telegraph facilities or the United
states be incorporated into the pos
tai establishment.
That 100000 be appropriated now
for acquiring telegraph and telephone
utilities In Alaska, Porto Rico and
Hawaii.
That second class postal rates be re-
Nised :" make socond-clu matter paw
more OF its share OF TRANSPORTATION cx-
pcnsc. and that the l-ccnt rate DO
applied 20 all so-called drop letters.
That public buildings erected for
post-oifice purposes no standardized,
and that their costs lac commensurate
with the needs or the service
That fund" bc expended in q number
OF large cities for buildings not OF
ornamental design, but designed 10
accommodate tho postal service before
more money is spent IN smaller towns
where buildings are not needed and
cnnno, he justified.
WANTS SOME CHANGES
IN PRESENT BUILDING POLICY
That changes he made In the present
building policy which imposes a liked
charge on the department that has
grown burdcuaomc.
That the classified service bc extend
81 To include he position Of post
masters at Offices OF the first, second
and third classcs
THAT the department he authorized to
bond rs employee" that tho gov
crnncut may be protected more adc-
uuately and that relief may be afford
cd officials aud employees OF tho ser
vlcc.
That tho pay OF rural carriers bn
"Iualized by nxinE salaries on the
hns!s Of the number of pieces and
weight of !nAil transported. length of
routes ana ;itSc required Ia serve them
Instead OF solely on length OF routes
rs ~ present.
That legislation he passed 10 enable
The Department. "a organize post ofiiccs
on more business lik. basis and 20
STANDARDIZED The salaries OF supervisory
employees in m equitable manner.
Growth of IN" parcel post will cu.
the cost OF living to Tho city dwcllcr.
tho report declares. Tho service Is now
hnndling 9o,o0".0hI PACKAGES IA month.
Liberal changes in It's regulations have
done much TO bring about it's extern
Si"n II is declared
Under law passed last July. the
department on November !. put parts
of The railway mail service on the
space basis OF pay. using rates which
ar" the maximum provided by the act
These ra!"s. tho report says. are OK
c"Ssivc. and under tho law the dcpart-
incn' VIII. on January /, file with the
Interstate Commerce Commission
comprehensive plan Of service which
VIII cmbody recommendation look
Ing 10 reduction OF the rates