The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1899-11-29
a Long Felt Want.

the country, ana many lnIluen-
tial business organizations, are
urging the establishment of a
parcels post system inathis coun
try. 1t seems quite, probable
that congress, at its next ses-
sion, will legislate to this effect.
At the meeting of the executive
committee of the National AS
sociation of Manufacturers held
a few days ago resolution was
adopted unanimously favorlng
the "enactment of a law by
congress providing for The
establishment of parcels post
system in the United States,
similar to the laws now III force
in England and Germany. ana
also the negotiation of parcels
post treaties with other nations.
And, further, that the presl-
dent of the association is here
by authorized to take whatevel
steps in his judgment may be
necessary to secure the enact.
ment Of such law and the nego-
tiation of such treaties. - The
Atlanta Journal says the sup
port of the association which
adopted these resolutions is sure
to strengthen the advocacy OF
the proposed parcels post sys-
TEN. The association is organ
ized in nearly every state in the
union: has a membership OF
some 1900, comprising leading
manufacturers of the country.
and it is stated that an active
and successful canvass has been
made in furtherence of the
movement. The matter has
been brought not only to the
attention of manufacturers, but
to the attention of merchants
and consumers, and the canvass
has shown that the movement
is exceedingly popular. Fully
90 per cent of those who have
given their views to the associa-
ton advocate the establish
ment of a Just parcels post
The parcels post system, which
will probably soon be ad-
opted in this country will, it
seems, be modelled after that
of England rather than that of
Germany. The limit of weight
under the German system is 100
pounds, while the limit in Eng
land is IL pounds. The English
rate begins at spence Is cents a
pound, and increases at the rate
of a penny 2 cents a pound up
to 10 pounds. The limit, as
stated, is II pounds, and the
rate for both the 10and 11-pound
packages is one shilling or 25
cents. The American rate on
acknowledgements, postmat-
ter-is 16 cents per pound, and
except as to a book, the limit of
weight is four pounds. The
treasurer of the National Asso-
citation of Manufacturers is
authority for the statement,
based on postofice statistics,
that merchandise can be car
ried in the mails here at about
the English rate. Moreover, he
presents figures to show that
the american rate is 100 per
cent in excess of the cost of our
merchandise service, contends
that it is prohibitory, and as
serts that it amounts to discri-
mination in favor of the trans
portation companies-a discri-
mination that is largely at the
expense of consumers. 1t IS,
therefore, the intention of the
association to have introduced
in the next congress a bill for a
reduction in the present rate for
fourth-class matter and an ex-
tension of the maximum weight
limit to S or IL pounds, so as to
more n arly conform to the
English parcels post system.
The advocates of a parcels post
system are enthusiastic, and be-
lieve that they are pushing a
measure which will be of vast
benefit to the country. They
believe, and with good reason.
that it will increase trade, and
that even at the low rate pro-
posed to be charged, it will
swell postal receipts so largely
that the annual deficit of the
postefice department will be
wiped out. We trust that the
senators and members of con-
gress from Georgia will give
their hearty support to some
good parcels post proposition.