Hutchinson gazette. [volume] (Hutchinson, Kan.) 1895-1902, 1898-02-03
THE LOUD POSTAL BILL.
North Dakota Editor Thinks It Would
Injure Country Publishers.

North Dakota Editor Thinks It Would
Injuro Country Publishers.
Washington, Jan. 9s.-M. H. Jewell,
publisher of the Bismark 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 SEN
ate, and is as follows:
"Dear sir:-Hereon you will find
printed what is known as the Loud
bill, relating to second-class postage,
which, if passed, will disastrously af-
feet the publishing interests of this
country by cutting off all sample cop
les, which would include all exchanges,
all copies to advertisers and advertis.
ing agents, all copies issued and paid
Tor by campaign committees or adYer-
tisers, all copies desired to be circulate
ed for the purpose of securing new
subscribers, and in the language of
the bill would allow you to send copies
OF your paper to persons who volun-
tarily order and pay for the same, ex-
cept that you do so by paying the
ruinous rate of postage of 'one cent
for each four ounces or fraction there
Of The provisions of this law' can
bear no other reasonable construction
that 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 per-
sonal letter to Mr.. Loud has expressed
his opinion on the matter, urging an
amendment to the bill which would,
in his opinion, protect the interests OF
legitimate publishers.
"Mr Loud is reported to have said,
in conversation with publisher, that
when this bill was passed he proposed
to introduce bill prohibiting free cir
culation of country papers in the coun-
ty where published. This is borne out
by paragraph in Mr. LIQUIDS report,
which reads as follows: They (the
committed do not assume that the bill
they recommend to you is perfect; far
from it. Neither does it wholly rem
edy this evil. 1t is, however step in
the right directions, and goes as far
as they thought prudent at this
time A large amount of adver Using
contracts are being held up by adver-
tisers because of the general belief
among them that the adoption of this
measure will reduce the circulation
among the weekly papers at least
80 1-3 per cent
'Not the least Objectionable feature
OF this proposed legislation is it's effect
upon immigration matters. For if the
Loud bill becomes law, extra copies
of special editions of the country press
containing that information which
prospective settlers and investors all
over the country most desire, will be
denied the privilege of second-class
rates now enjoyed. Not even a single
extra copy, with some specially mark
ed article, descriptive of the country,
or of some enterprise or industry, can
be sent out except at enormously in
creased rates of postage Publishers
generally will not fail to appreciate
the far-reaching effects of this meas
ure and the Importance of securing it's
defeat or effecting sweeping modifca.
tions. We expect your cooperation
in an effort to defeat or amend this
bill We urge you to act at once.
and write your congress
man to use his influence and utmost
efforts to defeat this dangerous meas
ure. 1t would materially aid us in
our work here if you would mail us q
copy of your telegram aud letter to
your congressman together with such
other suggestions as you see fit to
make. Please let us hear from you at
once