The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1934-01-08
POSTAL DEFICIT
SLASHED, 1888
REPORT SHOWS
Annual Summary Announces
600 Per Cent Gain
In RobberieS.
BIZ United Press

BIZ United Pvess
WASHINGTON, Jan. "A two
thirds decrease under the postal net
deficit Of 1892 and estimates look
ing to an approximately balanced
budget for 1884, were reported to-
day in the annual report Of the
year 1888.
Equally outstanding was reported
a large increase in robbers on
units Of the postal service. together
with recommendations for cOrrec-
tive legislation.
The p0stmaster-gener reported
a decrease of S974I9,097 under the
gross expenditures Of S75,057,7 54 for
1892 This reduction came largely
through a S80611,74 slash in sal
aries and wages.
Slight Revenue Decrease
A 1882. 800 increase in exendi-
lures for ocean and air mail subsi-
dies. over the S42 ,252,2l0 total for
1882, was the only increase shown
for 1888.
Total expenditures for the year
we're 500. 0O6.256.53. Total revenues
aggregated $685. 36442 a slight
decrease under the 1892 revenues.
Cost Of mail subsidies and the
postage value of mail service per-
formed free for congress, the courts
and the executive departments were
$61, SOL 1869. This had the eff
feet Of reducing the gross deficiency
of SIP .374, 1872, to a true deficit, en-
bracing postal transactions only Of
$50. 683 ,60505, as compared with a
net deficit Of $152, 246,18 for the
previous fiscal year.
Further Economies Expected
From the revenue returns of the
first months of this year, the de-
partment estimates that its income
for the fiscal year 1884 viii be in
the neighbOrhoOd of S587 600 900.
This decline from 1888 is due to the
reduction on local firSt-Class mail
from 3 TO 2 cents which became eff
fective July l, 1888. However, further
economies are expected to reduce
1884 expenditures to $500, 600 900.
Making allowance for approximately
$50 100000 for nonpoStal items. the
1884 budget will be approximately
balanced.
Although attacks on the mails
have remained fairly constant over
d long period of years, rob0eries on
units of the postal service handling
government moneys, have increased
coo per cent. it was reported.
Under existing law, when a
financial unit of the service is
robbed with or without the use of
firearms, the maximum punishment
Is ten years imprisonment and $1,000
fine. No penalty is provided for
attempts to commit such robberieS.
Attacks on mail units however. carry
mandatory penalty of twenty-five
years Imprisonment, whether sue
CeSS1ul or unsuccessful.
Thus the department recommend
ed legislation to provide the same
penalty for assaults upon govern
ment money and property as are
now provided for assaults on mail
matter Robberies during 1893
totaled S815,19218 as compared with
$189,84974.
Further Legislation Recommended
During 1888 fiscal year there were
eight fatalities to pilots CARRYING
air mail over 35,9O9,811 miles. Out
of 6,741,788 pounds of mail carried
the percentage of loss only reached
the fraction 0OO0306.
Further legislation recommended
was:
To authorize payment of annuities
withheld from employees retired
from active service during July,
1882, under the economy act.
To authorize the postmaster gen.
eral to contract for air mail service
in Alaska.
To reduce the fee to accompany
applications for entry as second
class matter of publications of
limited circulation.