New-York tribune., 1896-02-07
SECDNU-CLISS POSTAL RATES.

The trouble caused to The PoStofiicc Depart
ment through the abuse by some publishers OF
their Sccond-cass postage rate privileges has led
to several attempts to limit more strictly the
matter to which those rates apply A bill has
been introduced in the House of Representatives
bv Mr.. Loud. of California. somewhat similar
in It's provisions to that of Congressman IIcndcr-
son. which was defeated in the last Congress.
II goes further however. and in It's efforts 10
exclude all except legitimate periodicals from
transportation at secOnd-class rates it threatens
seriously 10 interfere with the ordinary disribll-
ton Of newspapers. This certainly cannot be
the intention Of the trainers: for the primary
purposc of the srcond-class rate is to make pos
sbc the circulation Of newspapers and magl-
zines ut small expense and enable the people far
away from the centres of news and culture to
obtain their periodicals on favorable terms. Ex-
ccpt for this rate the low-priccd newspaper and
thc low-priCcd magazine would be impossbc.
1t is the people rather than he publishers who
get the benefit Of cheap postage, and to abol-
ish II is To raise the price of publication to the
subscriber. Every obstacle thrown IN the way
of the dissemination Of news hurts tho mass of
the people without in any manner helping 10
prevent the undoubtel misuse Of the mails for
the circulation Of books the periodical nature
Of which Is purely one Of name
The Loud bill. while making no change in the
present newspaper rates prohibits the sending
Of sample copies Of newspapers on the same
terms as regular editions. Moreover. il contains
a provision that all extra numbers sent by pub
Usher acting as agent for Il purchaser TO ad-
dresses furnished by the principal shall he sub
jcct % postage at the rate of cents pound.
This means that person who is interested in
any particular article in paper and wishes 10
send one or thousand copies to his friends can
no, go to the publication office and have them
mailed on the same terms as the regular edition,
but must pay "A rate almost prohibitive 10 all
hur advertisers who are the persons the bill
seeks 10 discriminate against. This end will not
be accomplished. for the advertiser will find
ways II his own 10 spread h> advertisement.
while the circulation Of p,pcrs containing articles
of special value or ntcrcS, in particular sections
or Al particular seasons will be- unrcn sonably
lntcrfcrcd with The bill also raises the rate on
matter returned 10y ncwSdcalcrs to news agents
or publ >h"rs from the pound rate 10 one cent for
four ounces. This appears - b. an unnecessary
burden upon the newspaper business. but Il has
fhe merit of doing even handed Justice to news
agent and publisher which The present law does
not do. Sow the news agent ls able To build M
a virtual monopoly of The business with news
dealers. since he can gct papers returned N the
pound rate. while the publisher has no such PRIV
lcsc II woild bc better 10 give the same low
rate 30 both news agent and publisher but
higher rate applying to both j. better than the
present discrimination
\ marked line ~ difference exists between The
legitimate periodical and the publications which
are lcmomnatc,I serials solely to cvadc the postal
laws The s9calcd libraries and advertising
sheets intended for free or practically IRE" dis
trihuiion are Il burden and an expense 10 the
Posiotilcc Department which il should not he
called upon To bear They should not be allowed
to use the revenues 10 the disadvantage Of letter
writer's AMI newspaper and magazine rca lcrS.
Hut LEGISLATION intended - prevent their abuse
| Of the mails should be drawn with care 10 avoid
Interfering with the main purpose for which
| second.casS rates We're made The wrll-csfab-
| liShcd newspapers and magazines have nothing
To fear from any change In the rates or discrim-
| mating clauses Ike those pointed out The real
sufferers will be the publishers of low-prlccd
| periodicals. which cannot continue 10 exist be-
| side stronger and highcrpriccd publications, and
the readers who will find their reading matter
! costing them more.