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GOVERNMENT

Storage HEARING

-J3 BEFORE THE

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OFFICE AND CIVIL SERVICE

.70 q JSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

EIGHTY-SEVENTH CONGRESS

FIRST SESSION

ON

H.R. 2587

144 TIAN

A BILL TO EXTEND THE POSTAGE RATES FOR BOOKS AND

OTHER EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS TO 8-MILLIMETER

FILMS AND 8-MILLIMETER FILM CATALOGS FOR

EDUCATIONAL USE

H.R. 4975

A BILL TO PERMIT THE ENTRY AND MAILING AS SECONDCLASS MAIL OF PUBLICATIONS OF ELEMENTARY AND

SECONDARY INSTITUTIONS OF LEARNING, AND FOR

OTHER PURPOSES

73173

JULY 28, 1961

Printed for the use of the

Committee on Post Office and Civil Service

U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE

WASHINGTON: 1961

•
COMMITTEE ON POST OFFICE AND CIVIL SERVICE

TOM MURRAY, Tennessee, Chairman

JAMES H. MORRISON, Louisiana ROBERT J. CORBETT, Pennsylvania

JAMES C. DAVIS, Georgia

JOHN LESINSKI, Michigan

KATHRYN E. GRANAHAN, Pennsylvania

THADDEUS J. DULSKI, New York

DAVID N. HENDERSON, North Carolina

ARNOLD OLSEN, Montana

JOSEPH P. ADDABBO, New York

RICHARD H. ICHORD, Missouri

G. ELLIOTT HAGAN, Georgia

CATHERINE D. NORRELL, Arkansas

MORRIS K. UDALL, Arizona

H. R. GROSS, Iowa

JOEL T. BROYHILL, Virginia

AUGUST E. JOHANSEN, Michigan

GLENN CUNNINGHAM, Nebraska

GEORGE M. WALLHAUSER, New Jersey

ROBERT R. BARRY, New York

KATHARINE ST. GEORGE, New York

JOHN H. ROUSSELOT, California

EDWARD J. DERWINSKI, Illinois

SuBcommrrrEE APPOINTED To CONSIDER H.R. 2587 AND H.R. 4975

DAVID N. HENDERSON, North Carolina, Chairman

ARNOLD OLSEN, Montana GEORGE M. WALLHAUSER, New Jersey

G. ELLIOTT HAGAN, Georgia EDWARD J. DERWINSKI, Illinois

II
i

CONTENTS

Statement of— rage

Barry, Hon. Robert R., a Representative in Congress from the State

of New York 7

Wallhauser, Hon. George M., a Representative in Congress from the

State of New Jersey 5

Wenchel, Adam, Associate General Counsel, and Edwin A. Riley,

Chief, Postal Services Division, Post Office Department 2

III

REDUCED POSTAL RATES FOR CERTAIN MAILINGS OF

EDUCATIONAL AND NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS

FRIDAY, JULY 28, 1961

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,

SUBCOMMITTEE OF THE POST OFFICE

AND CIVIL SERVICE COMMITTEE,

Washington, D.C.

The subcommittee met at 10 a.m., in room 215, House Office Building, Hon. David N. Henderson (chairman of the subcommittee)

presiding.

Mr. HENDERSON. The subcommittee will come to order.

This subcommittee is composed of Congressmen Olsen, Hagan of

Georgia, Wallhauser, Derwinski, and myself as chairman.

The subcommittee was appointed to consider H.R. 2587, .a bill

introduced by our distinguished colleague, Mr. Wallhauser, to extend

the postage rates for books and other educational materials to 8-

millimeter films and 8-millimeter film catalogs for educational use,

and H.R. 4975, introduced by our distinguished colleague, Mr. Barry,

to permit entry and mailing as second-class mail of publications of

elementary and secondary institutions of learning, and for other

purposes.

Each member of the subcommittee has on his desk a copy of title

39 of the United States Code relating to the postal service and the

appropriate sections have been identified which are proposed to be

amended by these two bills. Also the reports of the Post Office

Department with respect to this legislation have been placed on each

member's desk together with the bills.

(H.R. 2587 and H.R. 4975 follow:)

[H.R. 2587, 87th Cong., 1st sess.1

A BILL To extend the postage rates for books and other educational materials to eight-millimeter films and

eight-millimeter film catalogs for educational use.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of

America in Congress assembled, That (a) section 4554(a) of title 39 of the United

States Code is amended by striking out "(2) 16-millimeter films and 16-millimeter

film catalogs except when sent to commercial theaters;" and inserting in lieu

thereof "(2) 8-millimeter and 16-millimeter films and 8-millimeter and 16-millimeter film catalogs except when sent to commercial theaters;".

(b) Section 4554(c) of such title is amended by striking out "16-millimeter

films," and inserting in lieu thereof "8-millimeter and 16-millimeter films,".

[H.R. 4975, 87th Cong., 1st sessj

A BILL To permit the entry and mailing as second-class mail of publications of elementary and secondary

institutions of learning, and for other purposes

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of

America in Congress assembled, That section 4355(a) of title 39 of the United

States Code is amended—

(1) by striking out the word "or" immediately following the semicolon at

the end of subparagraph (8);

1
2 REDUCED POSTAL RATES FOR EDUCATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS

(2) by striking out the period at the end of subparagraph (9) and inserting in lieu of such period a semicolon and the word "or"; and

(3) by adding at the end thereof the following new subparagraph (10): "(10) by any public or nonprofit private elementary or secondary institu- tion of learning or its administrative or governing body.".

Mr. HENDERSON. Congressman Wallhauser, author of H.R. 2587,

is a member of this subcommittee and we shall be happy to hear from

him at this time.

Mr. WALLHAUSER. I appreciate very much your courtesy in allowing me to appear. With your permission, I would defer to the mem

bers of the Post Office Department first so that I can hear their testimony. Then I will take the stand.

Mr. HENDERSON. Very well. We have with us this morning Mr.

Riley and Mr. Wenchel from the Post Office Department. We will

be glad to hear from you gentlemen at this time.

STATEMENT OF ADAM WENCHEL, ASSOCIATE GENERAL COUNSEL

AND EDWIN A. RILEY, DIRECTOR, POSTAL SERVICES DIVISION,

POST OFFICE DEPARTMENT

Mr. WENCHEL. For the record, I am Adam G. Wenchel, Associate

General Counsel, Post Office Department. With me is Mr. Edwin

A. Riley, Director, Postal Services Division, Bureau of Operations,

Post Office Department.

Mr. Chairman, we have no prepared statement. However, with

your permission, we would like to read into the record at this time the

Department's report on H.R. 2587.

Mr. HENDERSON. Very well; without objection.

Mr. WENCHEL. This letter is addressed to the Honorable Tom

Murray, chairman, Committee on Post Office and Civil Service,

House of Representatives, Washington, D.C.

DEAR MR. CHAIRMAN: This is in response to your request for a report on

H.R. 2587, a bill proposing to extend to 8-millimeter films and 8-millimeter film

catalogs the reduced rates of postage provided for certain educational and library

materials.

Section (a) of the bill would extend the special postage rates for books and other

educational materials of 9 cents for the first pound and 5 cents for each additional

pound or fraction thereof to 8-millimeter films and 8-millimeter film catalogs

except when sent to commercial theaters. These films and film catalogs are now

mailed at the regular third- or fourth-class rates of postage, whichever is applicable.

Section (b) of the bill would extend the special postage rates for library and

educational materials of 4 cents for the first pound and 1 cent for each additional

pound or fraction thereof to 8-millimeter films and 8-millimeter film catalogs.

This special rate is applicable to those library and educational materials specified

in the law (39 U.S.C. 4554(c)) only when sent to or from (a) schools, colleges, or

universities and (b) public libraries, religious, educational, scientific, philanthropic,

agricultural, labor, veterans', or fraternal organizations or associations, not

organized for profit and none of the net income of which inures to the benefit of

any private stockholder or individual.

We understand that producers of audio visual materials who have been using

16-millimeter film for documentary, training, and informational purposes are

changing to 8-millimeter film due to technical improvements in the reproduction

qualities of the smaller film.

We interpose no objection to section (b) of the bill. However, we suggest

•that this section be amended to include 16-millimeter or smaller size film. The

suggested amendment would avoid the future need for other amendments as

later improvements are made.

We do not recommend enactment of section (a) of the bill because it would

extend the educational material postage rate to 8-millimeter films and film catalogs available to all types of material, regardless of by whom mailed, and there
REDUCED POSTAL RATES FOR EDUCATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS 3

is a serious question of the educational or cultural value of some of the material,

including the 16-millimeter film and film catalogs and sound recordings already

in the law.

We believe that if these materials are truly for educational use, they would be

mailed to or from the institutions covered by the "library rate." We do not propose excluding films or film catalogs from the latter.

If 8-millimeter films and catalogs were to receive the special book rate because

of a presumed educational and cultural value, then other educational materials

would seem to have similar claims for such special rate. The manufacturers of

educational toys have proposed such rates for their products and indeed it would

be difficult to discriminate between the educational content of a toy and a picture

of that toy on film.

We have been advised by the Bureau of the Budget that from the standpoint

of the administration's program there is no objection to the presentation of this

report to the committee.

Sincerely yours,

J. EDWARD DAY, Postmaster General.

That concludes our presentation.

Mr. HENDERSON. Mr. Wallhauser, do you have any questions of

the witnesses at this point?

Mr. WALLHAUSER. I have no questions.

Mr. HENDERSON. Would you like to give us the report on the

other bill?

Mr. WENCHEL. Yes, if you like.

Mr. HENDERSON. Before leaving that point, I might ask this one

question in which I am personally interested. I am not sure of what

the status would be with regard to the possibility of the athletic

department of high schools particularly or even colleges, if they

found the 8-millimeter film for filming of athletic contests, would

that be permitted to go through under section (b) of the bill, in your

opinion, at the proposed rates?

Mr. WENCHEL. That would be a department of a school or college

or university, and I would see no reason why it should not be permitted.

Mr. HENDERSON. I might say that ordinarily they rush them by

other modes of transportation such as bus, and so on, but if they could

use or would choose to use the mails, I would assume that they would

be entitled, since it is a production of their own film for their own use

in connection with school activities, that it would be permitted.

However, I wanted to hear your opinion on that.

Mr. RILEY. There is a limitation on who they could mail them to

in the statute.

Mr. HENDERSON. My thinking was the mailing of them for processing and return to the institution where they had taken their own films.

Mr. RILEY. I do not believe they could mail them for processing

under this statute.

Mr. HENDERSON. I am glad to hear your position on that because

I was not sure at all.

Mr. WALLHAUSER. Mr. Chairman.

Mr. HENDERSON. Mr. Wallhauser.

Mr. WALLHAUSER. They could, however, mail to other institutions

of learing.

Mr. RILEY. Yes, sir.

Mr. WALLHAUSER. An exchange of them.

Mr. HENDERSON. That is not a real problem, but the processing

is usually the problem they have. I might say they find a peculiar

situation in processing in that they usually have it done where they
4 REDUCED POSTAL RATES FOR EDUCATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS

can get the fastest service in order to get them back over the weekend

for use on skull sessions on Monday. You do not find them going

into usual processing channels that you would find home photogra hers using.

Mr. RILEY. We have faced this question before. It is our understanding that this law does not provide for mailing to and from

proce,ssers.

Mr. HENDERSON. It does not now apply to 16-millimeter film, I

presume.

Mr. RILEY. NO, sir.

Mr. HENDERSON. Thank you very much. You might proceed with

regard to the report on H.R. 4975.

t'Mr. WENCHEL. Mr. Chairman, with permission, we would like

to read into the record also our report on H.R. 4975. It is also

addressed to the Honorable Tom Murray, chairman, Committee on

Post Office and Civil Service, House of Representatives, Washington,

D.C.

DEAR MR. CHAIRMAN: This is in reply to your request for our views on H.R.

4975, which would permit second-class mailing of publications by public or non- profit private elementary or secondary schools.

We recommend favorable consideration of this legislation for the reason that

publications of this kind are similar to some already especially provided for by

law (39 U.S.C. 4355(a)). They are usually published and circulated to students

and parents interested in the school.

As the law makes no special provisions for these publications, they must meet

the general law requirements of title 39, United States Code, section 4354, governing second-class mail. These requirements specify that, among other things,

a publication must have "a legitimate list of subscribers" and not be "designed

primarily for advertising purposes or for free circulation."

Present procedures for elementary or secondary schools to obtain second-class

permits are of no particular benefit to the Post Office Department. They involve

lengthy correspondence with respect to preparation of the specially required

subscription forms, and actually work a hardship on schools.

The proposed legislation would end the cumbersome procedures now required

and place elementary and secondary school publications in the same category

with other schools, trade unions, literary societies, and other organizations having

second-class permits. Present law with respect to outside advertising would not

be changed.

We have been advised by the Bureau of the Budget that from the standpoint

of the administration's program there is no objection to the presentation of this

report to the committee.

Sincerely yours,

J. EDWARD DAY, Postmaster General.

Mr. HENDERSON. Mr. Wallhauser?

Mr. WALLHAUSER. I have no questions. I think it is a very clear

statement in support of the legislation.

Mr. HENDERSON. Do I understand the report means that if a

local high school has a publication, it would only have to go to the local

post office to obtain the permit, as businesses would in that area under

the bill?

Mr. RILEY. Under the present procedure, for a high school to obtain

a second-class permit it would be necessary for the high school to

establish that its publication is being mailed only to subscribers. This

amendment would relieve them from having to establish a paid subscription list.

Mr. WALLHAUSER. And would include the mailing to prospective

applicants for education?
REDUCED POSTAL RATES FOR• EDUCATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS 5

Mr. RILEY. It would, provided the mailing piece is a newspaper or

periodical. They could not mail simply promotional material or

blank forms.

Mr: WALLHAUSER. It would exclude promotional material.

Mr. RILEY. This is the same privilege that higher institutions of

learning have.

Mr. HENDERsoN. I have no further questions. Do either of you

gentlemen have any further remarks you would like to make with

regard to this legislation?

Mr. WENCHEL. I have none, sir.

Mr. RILEY. In connection with this one, I would say it will relieve

the Department of considerable paperwork. .

Mr. WALLHAUSER. That is very desirable.

Mr. HENDERSON. Does this cover any other mailing of these institutions? I realize the present bill is with regard to publications, but is

there any special rate with regard to other mailings of these institutions?

Mr. RILEY. Their third-class mail does have the special rate applicable to nonprofit educational organizations. That amounts to a

50-percent reduction in the rate that would be charged to commercial

mailers.

Mr. HENDERSON. They might be interested in the mailing of report

cards from these schools. I understand a number of them have gone

to machine tabulation of grades and recordkeeping and are mailing

those to the homes to have them returned by mail. I wondered if

they get any special consideration on that type of mailing.

Mr. RILEY. If they are mailed at the third-class rate, they would

be entitled to the 50-percent reduction when mailed from the school

to the individual. The individual mailing them back would be

required to pay the applicable regular rate.

If the report cards are in handwriting, they would be subject to

the first-class rate, in which case they would not receive apy reduction

whatsoever. The punehcard system raises questions as to whether

they are first- or third-class. It would depend on the nature of the

information. We would have to examine the exhibit.

Mr. HENDERSON. Thank you very much.

At this time we will be delighted to hear from Mr. Wallhauser.

STATEMENT OF HON. GEORGE M. WALLHAUSER, A REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS FROM THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY

Mr. WALLHAUSER. Mr. Chairman and members of the subcommittee, I appreciate the opportunity to appear in support of H.R.

2587 and recommend your approval of this legislation.

The purpose and effect of H.R. 2587 is merely to bring up to date a

policy already approved by the Congress some years ago; namely,

that educational films are of such value in the public interest that

preferential postal rates should be applied to them when sent to,

from, or between schools, universities, and libraries.

This committee in the 83d Congress wrote the legislation, in Public

Law 141, by which the so-called library-book postage rates were extended to 16-millimeter films mailed under the conditions I have just

outlined. At that time the 16-millimeter films were the only im73178-61--2
6 REDUCED POSTAL RATES FOR EDUCATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS

portant medium of film educational material for which the schools and libraries required special legislative authority. •

During the succeeding years, great advances have been made in audiovisual educational materials and 8-millimeter films are becoming

a highly important additional medium for carrying out the educational

and cultural responsibilities of schools, universities, and libraries.

They are smaller, less costly to produce and to transport, and at least

as effective in value of presentation.

It is anticipated that within the next 4 or 5 years these smaller

8-millimeter films will largely replace 16-millimeter films for use in educational institutions and libraries for reasons of convenience,

efficiency, and economy.

I note that the official report of the Postmaster General on H.R.

2587 recommends that my bill be amended so as to confine the proposed new authority to mail 8-millimeter films and film catalogs to

those mailings which meet the requirements of section 4554(c) of

title 39, United States Code. This is the section which authorizes

special postage rates for books, films, and various other educational

media when sent to or from schools, colleges, or universities or to or

from public libraries, religious, educational, scientific, philanthropic,

agricultural, labor, veterans', or fraternal organizations or associations 

not organized for profit and none of the net income of which inures to

the benefit of any private stockholder or individual. This is often

referred to as the library-book rate.

I have no objection to the amendment recommended by the Postmaster General, and will accept the suggestion at the proper time in

committee and move that we strike section (a) of my bill.

Mr. Chairman, I would also like to read into the record, if I may, a,

letter dated July 27, 1961, from Charles A. Norford, director, Educational Communications Center, University of Virginia, and chairman,

DAVI, legislative committee, addressed to me. The following is the

message:

William H. King, former chairman of the legislative committee of the Department of Audiovisual Instruction of the National Education Association, has, I

know, expressed to you the interest and support of this organization in H.R. 2587,

your bill to extend postage rates for books and other educational materials to

8-millimeter films and film catalogs for educational use.

As the present chairman of the committee, I would Iiice to reiterate the position

of the department of audiovisual instruction. The 8-millimeter film field is a

relatively new and rapidly growing area of audiovisual instruction in the schools.

Louis Forsdal, director of the project in educational communication at Teachers

College, Columbia University, recently stated at the 89th semiannual convention

of the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers, "If the economic

problems can be resolved favorably, as I think they can be, 8-millimeter sound film

may help remake the uses of film in education so thoroughly that our present

patterns will be mere memories in a generation."

In view of the growing importance of the 8-millimeter film in education, in the

opinion of our organization, it seems advisable at this time to encourage this new

educational tool. We, therefore, endorse H.R. 2587.

Mr.. Chairman, this concludes my testimony other than to say that

I appreciate very much the opportunity to appear,- and I will be very

glad to attempt to answer any questions that you may have. •

Mr. HENDERSON. I do- not have any specific questions, Mr. Wallhauser, I think the record might show what I am sure you and I

both understand, that the real economy in 8-millimeter- film, since

• . they haire developed sound and -other technical improvements •to' it,
REDUCED POSTAL RATES FOR EDUCATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS 7

is the fact that it is much cheaper because of not only the size of the

film but the equipment necessary for producing and showing the film

and to smaller groups.

As you say, it is equally as effective or is becoming so. I can certainly see why educational institutions would be very interested in

being able to buy the less expensive equipment, and once they are in

the process, using the less expensive film. Thank you very much for

your testimony.

Mr. WALLHAUSER. Thank you.

Mr. HENDERSON. I notice that our colleague, Mr. Barry, of New

York, is with us. We will be delighted to hear from him at this time

on his bill.

STATEMENT OF HON. ROBERT R. BARRY, A REPRESENTATIVE IN

CONGRESS FROM THE STATE OF NEW YORK

Mr. BARRY. Mr. Chairman, it is alway a privilege to testify before

any committee of the Congress, but it is an especial privilege to testify

before a committee of which I am a member

Mr. HENDERSON. We are delighted to have you this morning.

Mr. BARRY. Mr. Chairman, I want to begin by expressing my

appreciation for the opportunity to testify this morning on my bill

H.R. 4975 which would grant second-class mailing privileges to publications of elementary and secondary schools.

There has developed a considerable concern about helping our

educational institutions this session. There is always concern about

eliminating inequities in the law. This proposal seems to accomplish

both these objectives at once.

Under present law, religious organizations, fraternal orders, many

colleges and universities enjoy second-class mailing privileges, but

our public school systems do not. Surely this is peculiar in our

society where we evidence such concern for public education. Especially does this seem so in a year where the President and many others

are urging upon the Congress a vast expenditure for Federal aid to

public education of an unprecedented kind which to many seems

contrary to the traditional American way of local and State control of

our school system. Here is a proposal, very modest to be sure,

which would be of some small help to our schools without raising such

objections. In fact, I am very pleased to note that thus far there

seem to have been no objections raised to this bill. This is a noncontroversial piece of legislation which has the support of all school

authorities with whom I have talked, on the one hand, and of the Post

Office Department and the administration on the other.

For the record I would like to insert at this point letters from several

of the school officials with whom I have corresponded explaining very

clearly the desirability of second-class mailing privileges for their

institutions.

Mr. HENDERSON. Without objection, they may be included.

Mr. BARRY. This compilation, among others, includes several

letters as well as a letter from the New York State School Boards

Association, Inc.
8 REDUCED POSTAL RATES FOR EDUCATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS

(The letters referred to follow:)

NEW YORK STATE SCHOOL BOARDS ASSOCIATION, INC.,

Albany, N.Y., April 24, 1961.

To: Executive secretaries of all State- school boards associations.

From: Executive Director Everett R. Dyer.

Subject: Second-class mailing privileges.

Action has been instigated in New York State which, we believe, will be of

interest to school boards in other States in the Union, and for this reason we call

it to your attention.

At the request of a school board in the metropolitan area of this State, Congressman Robert R. Barry of New York's 27th Congressional District has introduced H.R. 4975 in the House of Representatives. This bill would permit

sending as second-class mail publications by elementary and secondary schools.

The request for the introduction of this measure was brought about as a result

of rulings of the U.S. Post Office Department that public schools are not entitled

to second-class mailing privileges "because they are not institutions of learning

supported in whole or in part by taxation." This privilege continually has been

denied for the,same reason because of precedent set over 50 years ago. However,

it should be noted that the same second-class mailing privileges are granted to

colleges and universities, newspapers, magazines, churches, and fraternal

organizations.

Some school boards in this State are very much interested in this measure

because it would permit them to mail school newsletters, annual budgets, and

other informational material at a much lower cost than at present. In so doing,

this would permit them to improve their public relations with their communities

and keep their residents better informed of the school program.

We bring this matter to your attention and suggest that you transmit your

views to your Representatives in Congress.

BOARD OF EDUCATION,

UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT No. 6,

SEAFORD HIGH SCHOOL, Seaford, NJ., March 13, 1961.

Hon. ROBERT BARRY,

House of Representatives, Washington, D.C.

The Board of Education, Union Free School District No. 6, town of Hempstead, at a regular meeting held on Thursday, March 9, 1961, moved and approved the following resolution:

"Be it resolved, That the Board of Education, Union Free School District No. 6,

Seaford, N.Y., requests that legislation be introduced and passed by the Congress

of the United States to provide the same second-class mailing privileges now

available to colleges and universities."

Respectfully submitted.

[SEAL] SALLY M. RILEY, District Clerk.

MARCH 15. 1961.

Representative ROBERT7BARRY,

house of Representatives, Washington, D.C.

DEAR REPRESENTATIVE: Please be advised that the Board of Education of

Union Free School District No. 1 has unanimously adopted the following resolution in its official minutes at a meeting held March 14, 1961:

"Resolved, That the Board of Education of Union Free School District No. 1,

Babylon, Long Island, N.Y., requests that legislation be introduced and passed

by the Congress of the United States to provide the same second-class mailing

privileges to public schools, as are now available to colleges and universities."

This board of education believes that rulings by the U.S. Post Office Department, which state that public schools are not institutions of learning supported in

whole or in part by taxation, are erroneous.

Yours very truly,

GEORGE J. SMITH,

President, Board of Education.
REDUCED POSTAL RATES FOR EDUCATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS 9

Representative ROBERT BARRY,

House of Representatives, Washington, D.C.

DEAR REPRESENTATIVE BARRY: From time to time over the past years, the

commissioner of education of the State of New York advised boards of education

concerning their responsibility to advise the people of their respective communities on any matters that the boards think is of grave importance to them.

The mailing of such information to residents of the school district seems to be

the only way that full coverage can be accomplished.

So that the public schools may enjoy the same privileges granted colleges,

universities, newspapers, magazines, churches, etc., the following resolution is

offered:

"Since the U.S. Post Office Department has ruled as recently as May 1960 that

public schools are not entitled to second-class mailing privileges 'because they are

not institutions of learning supported in whole or in part by taxation';

"And since this privilege has continually been denied for the same reason

because of precedent set over 50 years ago;

"And since these second-class mailing privileges are granted to colleges and

universities, newspapers, magazines, churches, and fraternal organizations: Be it

"Resolved, That the Board of Education of Central School District No. 6, town

of Huntington, county of Suffolk, Pulaski Road, Greenlawn, N.Y., requests that

the legislation be introduced and passed by the Congress of the United States to

provide the same second-class mailing privileges now available to colleges and

universities."

Your interest in introducing legislation concerning this matter is sincerely

appreciated.

Very truly yours,

HARBORFIELDS CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT No. 6,

TOWN OF HUNTINGTON, SUFFOLK COUNTY,

Greenlawn, N.Y., March 15, 1961.

THOMAS J. LAHEY, District Principal.

RESOLUTION

SECOND-CLASS MAILING PERMITS

Since the U.S. Post Office Department has ruled as recently as May 1960 that

public schools are not entitled to second-class mailing privileges "because they

are not institutions of learning supported in whole or in part by taxation;"

And since this privilege has continually been denied for the same reason because

of precedent set over 50 years ago;

And since these second-class mailing privileges are granted to colleges and

universities, newspapers, magazines, churches and fraternal organizations; be it

Resolved, That the Board of Education of Union Free School District No. 1, of

Bay Shore, N.Y., requests that legislation be introduced and passed by the

Congress of the United States to provide the same second-class mailing privileges

now available to colleges and universities.

MARCH 24, 1961.

RESOLUTION

SECOND-CLASS MAILING PERMITS

Since the U.S. Post Office Department has ruled as recently as May 1960 that

public schools are not entitled to second-class mailing privileges "because they

are not institutions of learning supported in whole or ill part by taxation";

And since this privilege has continually been denied for the same reason because

of precedent set over 50 years ago;

And since these second-class mailing privileges are granted to colleges and

universities, newspapers, magazines, churches, and fraternal organizations; be it

Resolved, That the Board of Education of Union Free School District No. 23,

town of Hempstead, Wantagh, N.Y., requests that legislation be introduced and

passed by the Congress of the United States to provide the same second-class

mailing privileges now available to colleges and universities.

Adopted unanimously by the board of education at a meeting on March 6,

1961, and recorded in the minute book of this board of education.

C. A. Russo, District Clerk.
10 REDUCED POSTAL RATES FOR EDUCATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS

WEST HEMPSTEAD PUBLIC SCHOOLS,

West Hempstead, N.Y., March 6, 1961.

H011. ROBERT BARRY,

House of Representatives, Washington, D.C.

DEAR SIR: At the regular monthly business meeting of the Board of Education

of Union Free School District No. 27 the following resolution was adopted:

"Since the U.S. Post Office Department has ruled as recently as May 1960 that

public schools are not entitled to second-class mailing privileges 'because they are

not institutions of learning supported in whole or in part by taxation';

"And since this privilege has continually been denied for the same reason because

of precedent set over 50 years ago; ,*(4

"And since these second-class mailing privileges are granted to colleges and

universities, newspapers, magazines, churches, and fraternal organizations: Be it

Resolved, That the Board of Education of Union Free School District No. 27,

of West Hempstead, N.Y., requests that legislation be introduced and passed by

the Congress of the United States to provide the same second-class mailing

privileges now available to colleges and universities."

As clerk of the district I have been instructed to forward this information to.

you for your consideration.

Very truly yours,

Mrs. THELMA M. MACK, District Clerk.

RESOLUTION

SECOND-CLASS MAILING PERMITS

Whereas the U.S. Post Office Department has ruled as recently as May 1960

that public schools are not entitled to second-class mailing privileges because

they are not institutions of learning supported in whole or in part by taxation;

and

Whereas this privilege has continually been denied for the same reason because

of precedent set over 50 years ago; and

Whereas these second-class mailing privileges are granted to colleges and

universities, newspapers, magazines, churches and fraternal organizations: Now,

therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Board of Education of Union Free School District No. 10,

of Mineola, N.Y., requests that legislation be introduced and passed by the

Congress of the United States to make available to school districts the same

second-class mailing privileges now available to colleges and universities; and

be it further

Resolved, That copies of this resolution be forwarded to Senator Jacob Javits

and Representatives Robert Barry, Frank Becker, and Steven B. Derounian.

BOARD OF EDUCATION,

SOUTH HUNTINGTON SCHOOLS,

UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT No. 13,

Huntington Station, N.Y.

RESOLUTION

Since the U.S. Post Office Department has ruled as recently as May 1960 that

public schools are not entitled to second-class mailing privileges "because they

are not institutions of learning supported in whole or in part by taxation"; and

Since this privilege has continually been denied for the same reason because of

precedent set over 50 years ago; and

Since these second-class mailing privileges are granted to colleges and universities, newspapers, magazines, churches, and fraternal organizations: Be it

Resolved, That the Board of Education of Union Free School District No. 13,

town of Huntington, Suffolk County, N.Y., requests that legislation be introduced

and passed by the Congress of the United States to provide the same second-class

mailing privileges now available to colleges and universities.

The above resolution was unanimously adopted on motion made by Mr. Baden,

seconded by Mr. Neuman, at the board meeting held on March 8, 1961.

Respectfully submitted.

OSCAR FULTZ, Clerk.
REDUCED POSTAL RATES FOR EDUCATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS 11

UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT No. 7,

Deer Park, Long Island, N.Y., March 16, 1961.

Hon. ROBERT BARRY,

House of Representatives, Washington, D.C.

MY DEAR MR. BARRY: At the regular meeting of the Board of Education,

Union Free School District No. 7, Deer Park, N.Y., held on Friday, March 10,

1961, the following resolution was unanimously approved by the quorum present:

"Resolved, since the U.S. Post Office Department has ruled as recently as May

1960 that public schools are not entitled to second-class mailing privileges 'because they are not institutions of learning supported in whole or in part by taxation';

"And since this privilege has continually been denied for the same reason

because of precedent set over 50 years ago;

And since these second-class mailing privileges are granted to colleges and

universities, newspapers, magazines churches, and fraternal organizations; be it

"Resolved, That the Board of Education of Union Free School District No. 7,

of Deer Park, N.Y., requests that legislation be introduced and passed by the

Congress of the United States to provide the same second-class mailing privileges

now available to colleges and universities."

We urgently request the introduction and your support of this legislation as it

would reflect substantial savings in our operating expenses.

Very truly yours,

GEORGE GRANELLE, President.

MIDDLE COUNTRY CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT No. 11,

Centereach, N.Y., March 15, 1961.

Hon. ROBERT BARRY,

House of Representatives, Washington, D.C.

MY DEAR MR. BARRY: At a meeting of the Board of Education of Central

School District No. 11, town of Brookhaven, Suffolk County, N.Y., the following

resolution was unanimously adopted:

"Since the U.S. Post Office Department has ruled as recently as May 1960 that

public schools are not entitled to second-class mailing privileges 'because they are

not institutions of learning supported in whole or in part by taxation';

"And since this privilege has continually been denied for the same reason

because of precedent set over 50 years ago;

"And since these second-class mailing privileges are granted to colleges and

universities, newspapers, magazines, churches, and fraternal organizations; be it

"Resolved, That the Board of Education of Central School District No. 11,

town of Brookhaven, Suffolk County, N.Y., requests that legislation be introduced

and passed by the Congress of the United States to provide to public schools the

same second-class mailing privileges now available to colleges and universities."

We appreciate your interest and wish to thank you for your efforts toward

enactment of such legislation.

Sincerely yours,

WARD I. FIEDLER, Supervising Principal.

WESTBURY PUBLIC SCHOOLS,

Westbury, N.Y., March 13, 1961.

Hon. ROBERT BARRY,

House of Representatives, Washington, D.C.

MY DEAR MR. BARRY: Our Westbury, Long Island, postmaster, Mr. Willard'

Schmitt, has informed us again that we are not eligible under the law for a secondclass mailing permit for our school district brochures.

Please find enclosed three samples of the publications issued by the board of

education. The brochures are in the nature of material which may be found in

newspapers or magazines, in that they convey information to the residents about

the public schools.

Inasmuch as a second-class mailing permit is allowed for a great many commercial, private, and quasi-public institutions in America, our board of education

can find no justification to deny the same rights and privileges to the public

schools in America. In line with this thinking, please be informed that at its

meeting held February 21, 1961, the Westbury, Long Island, N.Y., Board of

Education passed the following resolution and authorized me to transmit it to

you.
12 REDUCED POSTAL RATES FOR EDUCATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS

"Resolved, That the Board of Education of Union Free School District No. 1,

town of North Hempstead, Westbury, N.Y., requests that legislation be intro-

.duced and passed by the Congress of the United States to provide the same secondclass mailing privileges now avaitabie to colleges and universities."

We trust that you will give this matter a great deal of thought, and that you

will help to put the wheels in motion to secure favorable action on our behalf.

Westbury sends to you its very best wishes for another highly successful year in

the U.S. Congress.

Very truly yours,

Hon. ROBERT BARRY,

House of Representatives, Washington, D.C.

DEAR SIR: At a special meeting of the Board of Education of Union Free

School District No. 9, of the town of Islip, Suffolk County, N.Y., held March 7,

1961, it was recorded that the board of education would go on record as requesting

that legislation be introduced in Congress to amend the postal rules and regulations to provide the same second-class mailing privileges to public schools that

are now available to colleges and universities.

Since legislation favoring such a change to permit school mailings as secondclass matter would greatly benefit school districts in reduced mailing costs, your

cooperation in introducing such legislation would be greatly appreciated.

By order of the board of education:

Respectfully,

CECIL L. RICE,

Superintendent of Schools.

WEST ISLIP PUBLIC SCHOOLS,

West Islip, Long Island, N.Y., March 10, 1961.

CAROLINE M. SCHNEIDER,

Clerk, Board of Education,

Union Free School District No. 9.

EAST MEADOW PUPLIC SCHOOLS,

East Meadow, Long Island, N.Y., March 9, 1961.

Representative ROBERT BARRY,

House of Representatives, Washington, D.C.

DEAR REPRESENTATIVE BARRY: I have been requested by the Board of

Education of the East Meadow School District, which is the eighth largest school

district in New York State, to inform you that our board unanimously passed

a. resolution to the following effect: "Be it resolved, That the Board of Education

of Union Free School District No. 3, East Meadow, N.Y. requests that legislation

be introduced and passed by the Congress of the United States to provide the same

.second-class mailing privileges now available to colleges and universities."

We are hopeful that you will support and possibly introduce such legislation.

Cordially,

EDWARD J. MCCLEARY,

Superintendent of Schools.

Hon. ROBERT R. BARRY,

Representative, 27th Congressional District,

House Office Building, Washington, D.C.

DEAR SIR: At a recent meeting of the board of education the following resolution was adopted:

"Whereas the U.S. Post Office Department has ruled as recently as May 1960

that public schools are not entitled to second-class mailing privileges 'because they

are not institutions of learning supported in whole or in part by taxation'; and

"Whereas this privilege has continually been denied for the same reason because

of precedent set over 50 years ago; and

'Whereas these second-class mailing privileges are granted to colleges and

universities, newspapers, magazines, churches, and fraternal organizations:

"Now, therefore, on motion duly made and seconded, it was unanimously

OCEANSIDE PUBLIC SCHOOLS,

UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT No. 11,

TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD,

Oceanside, N.Y., January 31, 1961.
REDUCED POSTAL RATES FOR EDUCATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS 13

"Resolved, That the Board of Education of Union Free School District No. 11,

Oceanside, N.Y., requests that legislation be introduced and passed by the Congress of the United States to provide the same second-class mailing privileges

now available to colleges and universities."

I have been instructed to inform you of this action so that you may give thematter your consideration.

Respectfully yours,

ELINOR C. FEIHEL, District Clerk.

PLAINEDGE PUBLIC SCHOOLS,

Bethpage, Long Island, N.Y., February 10, 1961.

Representative ROBERT BARRY,

House of Representatives, Washington, D.C.

DEAR REPRESENTATIVE BARRY: The following was approved by the Board of

Education of the Plainedge Public School Union Free School District No. 18,

town of Oyster Bay, at its meeting of February 2, 1961:

"Since the 'U.S. Post Office Department, because of a precedent set more than

50 years ago, has consistently been denying public school systems the use of

second-class mailing privileges;

"And since newspapers, churches, magazines, colleges and universities, and

fraternal organizations may avail themselves of this privilege; be it

"Resolved, That the Board of Education of the Plainedge Public Schools,

Union Free School District No. 18, town of Oyster Bay, Bethpage, N.Y., requests

the enactment of legislation by the Congress of the United States to rectify this

inequity and provide the same second-class mailing privileges now at the disposal

of colleges and universities."

Very truly yours,

DOROTHY B. CAMPBELL,

District Clerk, U.F.S.D. No. 18.

LYNBROOK BOARD OF EDUCATION,

UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT No. 20,

TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD

'

NASSAU COUNTY,

Lynbrook, N.Y., January 18, 1961.

Hon. ROBERT BARRY,

House of Representatives, Washington, D.C.

MY DEAR MR. BARRY: The Board of Education of Union Free School District

No. 20, Lynbrook, N.Y., is very much interested in urging you to support the

establishment of second-class mailing privileges for public school districts.

We feel this is something which a public school district has a right to request

because of its nonprofit nature and because of its fundamental problem which is

the education of the boys and girls of this country.

The board, at its regular meeting on January 11, 1961, adopted unanimously

the following resolution and asked that I send a copy to you:

"Whereas since the U.S. Post Office Department has ruled as recently as May

1960 that public schools are not entitled to second-class mailing privileges 'because

they are not institutions of learning supported in whole or in part by taxation'; and

"Whereas since this privilege has continually been denied for the same reason

because of precedent set over 50 years ago; and

"Whereas these second-class mailing privileges are granted to colleges and

universities, newspapers, magazines, churches, and fraternal organizations: Now,

therefore, be it

"Resolved, That the Board of Education of Union Free School District No. 20

of Lynbrook, N.Y. requests that legislation be introduced and passed by the

Congress of the United States to provide the same second-class mailing privileges

now available to colleges and universities.

We shall appreciate any assistance you may be able to give us in this matter.

Sincerely,

EDWARD J. MURPHY,

Superintendent of Schools.
14 REDUCED POSTAL RATES FOR EDUCATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS

NORTH SHORE SCHOOLS,

Glen Head, Long Island, N.Y., January 4, 1961.

Hon. ROBERT R. BARRY

House of Representatives, Washington, D.C.

SIR: At a recent meeting of the school administrators of Nassau County, the

matter of second-class mailing privileges for public schools was discussed. Central

High School District No. 1, of Valley Stream, N.Y., had applied to the post

office for second-class mailing privileges. This permit was to be used in mailing

a brochure, entitled "Your High Schools." The application was denied, because

it was contrary to existing postal regulations.

The only means available to the public schools for reaching every family in

our school districts is by means of the U.S. mail. We do not utilize mailings to

their fullest extent because of the costs involved.

May T ask that you support the introduction of legislation which would permit

school districts second-class mailing privileges?

Very truly yours,

F. R. FURLONG, Superintendent.

Mr. BARRY. School boards are very much interested in this measure

because it would permit them to keep in closer touch with the parents

of schoolchildren. This closer communication would help develop

a better quality of education by enhancing the understanding between

these two groups. Across the Nation it is desirable that the average

citizens have a continuing interest in and participate in the local

school activities. This is the foundation of our American system of

local control of education, since our schools belong to the people, and

especially to the people whose children attend them.

I should like to read a short statement by Dr. Theodore Martland,

business manager of Central High School District No. 1 in Valley

Stream, N.Y., to fully illustrate the school's point of view.

I greatly appreciate this opportunity to make the following statement regarding

the securing of second-class mailing privileges for public schools, your H.R. 4975.

Since the Second World War there have been many changes in public school

education, among which is the change in the attitude of the professional educator

for his immediate community and public. Fifty years ago school administrators

ran their schools without the aid of lay advisory groups or much expression of

public opinion regarding the quality of the school and program. The postwar

years have seen a great change in this attitude for now we have a great amount of

public interest and participation in our activities. In a free democratic society

we feel this is important and wish to do everything we can to encourage it. Constructive criticism and positive interest require information. Distribution of

newsletters and pamphlets is one way in which the modern school district is able

to keep its public informed.

Our Government early recognized the importance of an informed public when

it designated the various types of mailing privileges which we still offer today to

groups charged with the responsibility of keeping the public informed. The

majority of school districts in our area distribute a newsletter of one type or

another to every resident within the geographic limits of that school district 8 to

10 times each year. A school district must pay a minimum charge of 1 cent per

item for each item mailed. If public schools enjoyed second-class mailing privileges, this cost would be considerably reduced, thereby decreasing one cost principally borne by the local property tax. When viewing the entire school budget,

these costs may seem small. However, they often amount to several thousand

dollars each year for a moderate sized school district such as ours.

I would also like to take this opportunity to remind you and the committee

that we are aware that these privileges are now enjoyed by universities, colleges,

newspapers, church groups, and fraternal orders. We feel that the free public

school is the responsibility of Government and, therefore, we feel that these

privileges should be extended to the free public school so that it might disseminate

information about the school to the people.

We have had here this morning a representative of the Post Office

Department who explained the reasons why the administration and

his Department feel this legislation is worthwhile.
REDUCED POSTAL RATES FOR EDUCATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS 15

Let me thank you again for the sympathetic and understanding

consideration you are giving this bill. It is sound and, if passed,

would prove of benefit to education by enabling our schools to keep

Americans everywhere more informed and interested in their own local

schools. My bill will strengthen this participation by the people in

the education of their children which is the great difference between

the American system and that of most other countries around the

world.

Mr. HENDERSON. Thank you, Mr. Barry. Your statement is very

helpful to the committee. Do you have anything further you would

like to add? Do you have any questions, Mr. Wallhauser?

Mr. WALLHAUSER. I have no questions. I want to commend Mr.

Barry for a very fine statement. It clearly explains exactly why we

need this legislation. Certainly, it is not controversial, and when he

says it is thus far not controversial, I might say it still is not controversial.

Mr. BARRY. Thank you, Mr. Wallhauser.

Mr. HENDERSON. We appreciate your coming down this morning,

Mr. Barry.

Mr. BARRY. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. It is a privilege to

appear.

Mr. HENDERSON. The subcommittee will go into executive session

at this time for consideration of the two bills, and we hope to be able

to dispose of them at this session. Thank you, gentlemen.

(Whereupon, at 10:40 a.m., the subcommittee proceeded into

executive session.)

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