Morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven [Conn.]) 1848-1894, 1894-03-01
oHAmnRR OF commEnoR.

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.
In Instructive Paper by MIR. James
L. COwles OF NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
sion of the Postal aystem-Govern.
ment Ownership OF Raliroads-NoW
M embers Observation-Disclosures for
the Centennial Celebration.
Mr.. James L. Cowles of Pennington read
q paper which was most interesting and |
thoughtful as we'll as instructive before |
the chamber of commerce last evening.
There was fair-eized attendance present,
all of whom listened to the paper with the
closest attention, and the greater part of
those who expressed an opinion conceded
with the views advanced by Mr.. Cowles.
His subject was ''The Development of the
Modern Postal System and Its Extension
to New Fields of Usefulness" He first
gave q brief summary of the history of the
postal system.
"Just bsfore the idea of uniform post
age took definite FORM" he said, ''the aver
'sge charge for English postage was twenty
cents per sheet. Peers and members Of
parliament sent their letters free. Under
such circumstances Mr.. Hill brought for
ward the proposal for a uniform rate of
postage. What they said, carry letter
400 miles for the same rate as 100 mileeT
But this idea obtained and finally became
law. ~
formed. Now letters can be cent for Q
uniform rate of five cents to all parts of
Al khnH n,,Sv oVSA fkn
apge Free State being about the only coun-
tries not now included In the union.
parcel postage has also bscome an i'm
portant factor In the modern postal sys-
tenn. In 1885 10000, 900 parcels were
/ transmitted through the English post at
an average rate of ten cents each, and this
| rate appeared to be satisfactory to the peo-
pie. cut the parcel post Is yet In Its in
| fancy. An international parcel post has
been established, covering thirty of the
great countries of the earth. Immense
business was transacted by Germany, Aus
tria and Switzerland. All efforts, how
paacel post have been so far unavailing.
Here certain favored classes enjoyed the
benefits of the cheaper parcel rates. Pub
fishers of newspapers or periodicals may
send their matter at the rate of one cent
per pound. Other people pay four cents
per pound for the same matter. One
Maine man is said to have sent out 1 800
tons of his books at the rate of one cent
per pound"
Continuing he told how the postal s5s-
tenn was now confined to letters and pa
pers, but that the system couId be ex-
| tended to freight with great resulting
benefits. As affairs now stand four great
| express companies are becoming enriched
| at the hands of the people and while made
qnate, service Is given exorbitant
| rates are charged. BE showed the great
| evils which had resulted to the smaller
towns and communities by the tendency
of the present system of favoritism in
freight tariffs, that Is to say, cheaper rates
are given to certain great terminal cities
than to country towns and thus manu-
factories movs to the large cit
les. He said that in converse.
ton with Mr.. Paterson of Hart.
ford that gentleman stated that
Connecticut had lost q large marble
industry from this cause. He held that
the general Cove rnment should regulate all
postal taxes, and said that the evils which
result from private ownership of these
corporations are not generally known.
Railroad tariff is tax, and there should
be fixed principle to determine 1t. he
held that the government ownership of the
Il ra1lrOAOb WOu1O Dc d 1Cl0Iu0 10 WAko Gue
| railroad serve the purpose for which 1t ex-
istA-the harmonious development of the
country and it only requires that the
scheme be made public to accomplish ita
development. He would have q uniform
rate of fare which would enable the people
/ to use the railroads, whereas now the
greater part of the people are declared
from the use of them by the excessive
rates. He gave the Manhattan railroad in
New York as an example of a road thai
had been greatly prospered by the use of 9
uniform fare.
Vice President General George Il. Ford,
l who presided at the meeting, in the alb.
sencs of President T. Attwater Barnes.
lowed by Mr.. Charles E. Curtis, who
thought politics would enter too much into
the management of railroads owned by the
government.
The following gentlemen were present
Vice President General George q. Ford
Secretary Attorney Livingstone ". Clsave-
land, Charles L. Baldwin, Charles e. Cur
tbs, II. @. Warren, Charles W. Scranton
John g. North, Herbert Mason, S. 81
SOD, 81. @. White, W. @. Warren, Judge
Simeon e. Baldwin, Judge Sheldon, Select
man W. 81. Stahl.
The following were elected to member
ship in the chamber: Franklin W. Dswell
| Charles K. Dswell, James d. Dewell, jr.
Robert P. Dewell, Frank 8. Thompson,
Charles E. Curtis, Frank q. Belden Cherries
P. Thompson, Andrew Goodman and Ben
jsmin Cobb.
The centennial anniversary COMMITTEES
reported that it had been decided to hold
the anniversary exercises on April 9, that
Judge s. E. Badly win had consented to give
the anniversary address, and that arrange
ments were also being made for a collation.
after the literary exercises. 1t was decided
| to confne the Invitations to the members
and their families and to invited guests of
the chamber. Some amusement was Gre
ated by the reading of letter from bal
loon firm proposing to give balloon as.
cension. This communication was laid on
the table.