The McCook tribune. (McCook, Neb.) 1886-1936, 1898-02-04
THE LOUD POSTAL BILL.
a North Dakota Editor Thinks II would
Iniure Country Publishers.

fnJurc Country IuDlIsncrss
WASHINGTON, Jan. 81. - NJ. II
Jewell, publisher of the Bismarck
Tribune, has addressed a letter to
publishers of country papers. daily and
weekly. The letter is a protest against
the Loud postal bill now before the
senate, and is as follows:
Dear Sir:-Hereon O will find
printed what IS known as the Loud
bill, relating to second-clasS postage,
which IL passed will d~isastrously AFFECT
the publishing interests of this coun-
try by cutting off all sample copies,
which would include all exchanges.
all copies to advertisers and advertis-
ing agents, all copies issued and paid
for by campaign committees or adver-
Users, all copies desired to be circu-
lated for the purpose of securing new
subscribers, and in the language of the
bill would only allow you to send
copies of your paper Ito persons who
voluntarily order and pay for the
same" except that you do so by pay
ing the ruinCus rate of postage lone
cent for each four ounces or fraction
thereof" The provisions of this law
can bear nc other reasonable conStruc-
ton than that a subscriber must be
cut off at the expiration of the time
to which his subscription has been
paid.
Mr.. Perry S. Heath, who is the first
assistant postmaster general, in a per-
sonal letter to Mr.. Loud has expressed
his opinion in the matter, urging an
amendment to the bill which would, in
his opinion, protect the interests of
legitimate publishers.
MI. Loud is reported to have said,
in conversation with q publisher, that
when this bill was passed he proposed
to introduce a bill prohibiting free cir
culation Of country papers in the coun-
ty where published. This is borne out
by a paragraph in Mr.. LIQUIDS report,
which reads as follows: They (the
committee) do not assume that the bill
they recommend to you is perfect; far
from it. Neither does it wholly remedy
this evil. 1t is, however, a step in the
right direction, and goes as far as they
thought prudent at this time A large
amount of advertising contracts are
being held up by advertisers because
OF the general belief among them that
the adoption of this measure will re-
duce circulation among the weekly pa
pers at least 33 1-3 per cent.
mot the least Objectionable feature
of this proposed legislation is it's effect
upon immigration matters. Fer if the
Loud bill becomes a law, extra copies
of special editions of the country press
containing that information which
prospective settlers and Investors all
over the country most desire, viii be
denied the privilege of second-class
rates now enjoyed. Not even a sin
gle extra copy, with some specially
marked article, descriptive of the
country, or of some enterprise or in
dustry, can be sent out except at enor-
mously increased rates of postage.
Publishers generally will not fai. to
appreciate the fa~r-reaching effects of
this measure and the Importance of Sc
curing it's defeat or effecting sweeping
notifications. We expect your CO. op-
Grafton in an effort to amend or defeat
this bill. We urge you to act at once.
and write your congressman
to use his influence and utmost efforts
to defeat this dangerous measure. 1t
would materially aid us in cur work
here if you will mail us a copy of
your telegram and letter to your con-
together with such other
suggestions as you see fit to make.
Please let us hear from you at once.