Our Government: Local, State, and National: Idaho Edition eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 219 pages of information about Our Government.

Our Government: Local, State, and National: Idaho Edition eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 219 pages of information about Our Government.
Postal Savings-Banks.—­At various times bills have been before Congress providing for the establishment of postal savings-banks in connection with post-offices.  It is proposed that they shall receive small amounts on deposit, paying a low rate of interest, and that the funds secured be invested in government bonds.  A law was passed in 1910 which provided for the establishment of postal savings-banks.  The plan has proved a success.
Some of the Defects in Our Postal System.—­(1) For thirty years prior to 1911 there has been an annual deficit of several million dollars.  This was caused largely through the transportation of second-class matter, so-called periodical publications.  But in 1911 there was a postal surplus of nearly $220,000, which was due largely to more business-like methods in management.  That this is an unjust drain upon the public funds is clear, when we consider that, in a recent year, the government expended $17,277,783 more than it received for carrying second-class mail. (2) Another serious defect has existed in the payment of exorbitant rates to railroad companies for carrying the mails. (3) Some Congressmen abuse the privilege granted them of sending government publications free. (4) The postal system has offered one of the best fields for the manipulation of the spoilsman.  Postmasters have been usually appointed on the recommendation of representatives, and, too frequently, the one essential to securing an office is that the applicant must be influential in politics.
Parcels Post.—­On January 1, 1913, a far-reaching innovation was put into operation by the Post-office Department.  The parcels-post system was used for the first time.  Bills providing for such a system had been introduced into Congress, but failed to pass owing largely to the opposition of express companies and other common carriers.

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The development of American literature has been greatly aided through the operation of laws based on this clause.  Copyrights are secured from the Librarian of Congress.  Any person obtaining a copyright has the sole right to print, copy, or sell the book, chart, engraving, music, etc., for a period of twenty-eight years.  A copyright may be renewed for fourteen years longer.  It may be sold or transferred providing a record of the transfer be made in the office of the Librarian of Congress within sixty days.

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Our Government: Local, State, and National: Idaho Edition from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.