Norwich bulletin., 1916-12-11
POSTMASTER GENERAL
BURLESoN's ANNUAL REPORT
Shows a Surplus of $4,000 During
the Present Year.


Washington. D. c., Dec. 10.-Post-
master General Burlcson's annual re-
port, issued today, declares there was
Postoffice Department surplus of
$5,20O,G00 during the present year and
enumerates as among the years ac-
complishments improvement of the
parcel post, extension of city and rural
deliveries and development Of the
postal savings system.
A surplus of Sl2, 100000 is shown:
says the report for three years Of the
four the administration has been in
office, and 1t calls attention to deficits
under previous administrations.
The Department makes many rec
concentrations for Improvement OF the
service. Some of the most important
are these:
That early action be taken by Cen
gress declaring a government non
opoiy over all utilities for the public
transmission O. intelligence and that
as soon as possible the telephone and
telegraph facilities of the United
States be Incorporated into the postal
establishment.
That 100000 be appropriated now
for acquiring telegraph and telephone
utilities in Alaska, Porto Rico and
Hawaii.
That second class postal rates he
revised TO make second class matter
pay more OF it's share OF tr;nlsporta-
ton expense and that the one cent
rate be applied to all so-called drop
letters.
That public buildings erected for
postoffice purposes be standardized
and that their costs be commensurate
with the needs of the service.
That funds be expended in q num-
Der of large cities for buildings not of
ornamental design but designed to &C
commodate the postal service before
more money is spent IN smaller towns
where buildings are not needed ans
can not be justified.
That charges be made in the pres
emit building policy which imposes a
fixed charge on the Department that
has grown burdensone.
That the classified service be ex-
tended to include the position of post
master at offices of The first second
and third classes.
That the department be authorized
to bond its employees SO that the gov
eminent may be protected mere ade-
qus tely and that relief may be af-
forded officials and employees Of the
service.
That the pay of rural carriers be
equalized by fixing salaries on the
basis of the number of pieces and
weight of mail transported, length OF
| routes and time required to serve
lneHl' instead OF solely on length of
rouces as at present.
That 100000 be Appropriated for ex
per'ments in aerial transportation of
mail.
That legislation be passed to enable
the department to organize postoff1ces
on more business like basis and to
standardize the salaries of supervisory
employees in an equitable manner
Growth of the parcel post will cut
the cost of living to the city dweller,
the report declares The service is
now handling ninety million packages
month. Liberal changes in it's regu-
!at1ons have done much to bring about
its extension, it is declared.
Under Jaw passed last .Iu.y the
department on November 1 put parts
of the railway mail service on, the
space basis of pay, using rates which
are the maximum provided By the act
These rates, tie report says are ex-
cesaive, AMI under the law the de-
partment Will on January 1 file with
the Interstate Commerce Commission
comprehensive plan Of service which
will embod.r recommendation look
ing to a reduction of the rates.
uR