New Britain herald., 1927-12-06
P.0. EFFICIENCY
 CONTINUES GOOD
Operating Deficits Cut by Nine
 Million Last Year

Washington. Dec. 6 P-Continued efficiency of the postal service. that part Of the government in most in timate touch with all the people is indicated in Postmaster General News annual report 10 President Coolidge, which recited that the op- erating deficit was cut by approNi mately $9000,000 for the year.
 When regular overseas air trans portation shall have been demon strated as practicable and safe, MT. New told the president. the post of nee department would endeavor to be among the first 10 use such tacll- itles in advancing air mails to for cign countries. He asked author ity to inaugurate such service under four-vear contracts after advertising for bids.
 "There is still dissatisfaction on the part of some classes Of mall users over changes made in lS-o, he said. "The readJustmont ol postage rates to the classes of mail and the services rendered them IS always a difficult matter, especially when such readidstmcnt applies to business conditions established un- der rates of long standing. Inc changes made are still under con sjderation by the congress and the department.
 A comprehensive plan for an equitable rcadjustmon- of postal rates, the postmaster general sald' would be submitted at the appro- rriate time. A report on the cos, of handling the various classes ol mail during 1927 will be made to congress, shortly after 1t convenes' for use in connection with Legislation for change of rates.
 Postal revenues for the year to- taled s6S3,121,9SS, an increase ol scS,s02,1S7, or 3.53 per cent, over 1926. Audited expenditures totaled S7t4.577,491, an increase or S34,- S73,43S, over 1926. The eXpendl- lures included transfer of sl5,O72,- nS2 to the retirement fund Whlch in previous years was not recogh'zeu as a cash expenditure. Exclusive ol that amount, audited expenditures totaled s699,50,459, an increase or but s19,S01,406 over 1926. After ad- iustments for obligations carrled over from the previous year ana TOT obligations outstanding, expenditures totaled S7l2,036,704, making an op- erating deficit of s2S,9l4,71G.
 Numerous recommendations were made by the postmaster general Tor legislation to improve the postal service. These included provision to carry into effect the president views providing for the classlI'ca- tion of postmastcrs at first, second, and third class offices, and repeal of the four-year term of office.
 Approval was renewed Of a Sener- al plan of government ownership ol buildings, within the limit Of good husiness judgment, as distinguished from the leasing system.
 An extensive review e the "oiN of the postal service in td2 deVelop- mont of the air mail service, no" rcIinnuished to private contractors was given in the report. DurIhs inc period of development planes flew 15,657,53O miles, carried 29S'- 51-76O letters with remarkahlN small loss and demonstrated the feasibility of commercial aviation.
 The rural delivery scrvice was eS- tended during the year, and IS no" serving about 7.252.0oo families and about 24,475,O00 individuals, or one quarter of the country's population. A survey disclosed that approximate lv r per cent of all mail originaf- ing in the United states was uili- mately delivered to rural-route pa irons.
 Newspapers and periodicals in the mails increased 3.GS per cent in weight, the total handled being l. a4S.20l.14N pounds, the increase being 54,965,252 pounds. Postage collected at the pound rate was s32 ,SS0.36S. inclusive or that on ad- vortisng portions, an increase ot 2.S1 per cent. The advertising sec tions of publications subject to zone