The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-12-01
POSTAL RECEIPTS
 JUMP 7PER CENT
(Continued From Page One. the cost entertainment be awaited be- fore making changes.

the cost ascertalnment be aWalted pe- l fore making changes.
 Would Make Appointments Suggestion is made by MT. New for legislation to permit the postal general 10 appoint third-class postmasters and relieve the president of that duty. The president appointed 5,045 postmasters of that class last year. These post masters are in the classified civil serv- ice and are not appointed for sny defln- ite term. changes being made only in case of death, resignation br removal. = Recommendations for improvement of the postal service, made by Mir. New, ln- cludc:
 Increase in the interest rate allow able on postal savings. Charge for return receipt for registered articles.
 Changes in the fees chargeable for registration of mail and limiting in demnity to S1,000.
 Imposition of demurrage charges on undelivered collector delivery parcels unucr ceft:tfn ofrcumStanceS.
 Changes ill fees on domestic money orders.
 Urges Own Buildings
 The desirability of government owner ship of post office buildings is pointed cut by the Postmaster General, who said appropriations for post office quarters amounted to $13.275.O00 for the year.
 The growing postal business and the ever increasing traffic conditions in cities present a problem. The passage of mail trucks and wagons in schedule time on the principal streets and through business centers, where the street congestion is great, has become exteremely difficult.
 'There appears to be- said Mr. New, "only one ultimate solution-that toward which plans for all traffic tend--the provision for underground transportation. The pratcicability of tunnels and tlle adequacy of different plans must be carefully considered as they are developed and presented"
 Carlessness Increases
 Carelessness in the addressing of mail is indicated in the increase in the num- Der of dead letters. There were 21,- 61S,1GS unbelievable letters received and disposed of last year. That was an increase of 2,379,6 or 12.3 per cent over the previous year. By careful work I,243 361S of the letters were delivered. Enclosures of money in dead letters amounted to $125,997, of which $7O.473 was restored to the owners. The nominal value of drafts, checks money orders, etc, was $3,546,S42.
 Newspaper and periodical mail was heavy during the year, a total of l. 596, ,IG,S45 pounds having been handled. That was an increase of G9.569.2SS pounds, or 5.24 per cent, over mailing for the previous year. Postage collected from publishers on the mailing at pound rates amounted to $29 ,254, which was an increase of $656912. or 2.29 per cent, over the previous year. The 'otal weight of the advertising portions Of publications subject to the zone rates was 5l2,21S,692 pounds, on which $17,. G2692o was collected, an average of 3:43 cents per pound. The reading DOT tons of such publications weighed GOA 223,353 pounds and the postage col lected was S9,069,132.
 Foreign mails showed large in crease. the amount, of such matter going abroad having weighed 7S,S04. .196 pounds, an increase of 11,5O6,S01 pounds, or 17.10 per cent