The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-12-12
THE PLAN FOR
PARCELS POST
Government Asked TO Take large,
Packages in the Mails.
EXPRESS CARRIERS OPPOSE It.
Recent Extension Of Rnral Free De-
di.ery Regarded ~ . Crest
Help Toward Better
Bundio Service.

. The extension of ruTsrl free delivery VIII
be followed by an effort to get the Eniteo
States Government to carry through the
mail parcels larger than the four pounds
now allowed. and at moderate cost
The negotiation of postal treaties by which
we carry in the mails larger parcels from
persons in foreign countries. or to them,
than for our own people has been looked
upon as an entering wedge. 1t has been
suggested that the rural delivery mail
wagons might to advantage carry express
packages.
why not have the Government carry
the parcels. as well as the letters ana
nswspapers? is question often asked
OF postal officials. 1t is urged THAT a
postal wagon making daily trip through
the rural regions ought at the same time
to afford facilities for transmitting par.
GELS, because the cost of ordinary ex.
press delivery is IN many places so great
as to be almost prohibitive.
BENEFIT TO THE FARMER
It is claimed tErat universal free delivery.
accompanied by a parcels post addition
to the Government service, would revolu-
tonne the retail trade of the United
States. The farmer would make most
OF his purchases from the big Stops in
the cities. That is already done to a large
extent. particularly in Chicago. which is
said to have Developed the mail trade
more than any other city in the country
For almost any household article the easi-
est mode of purchase would probably be
to write q. letter to be taken up at the
door by the mail wagon on its daily
rounds. and to receive 81 package day
or two later in the same way. The far
mer's wife would not have to leave her
dooryard to purchase most of her sup
piles.
Parcels posi- advocates have long feared
the, antagoniSm of the country shop
keeper They now hope that rural fres
delivery Will be sufficiently popular, al
it's advantages become known. to over
ride this opposition and make the asgre-
gate vote OF the farming community
favorable. a compilation has been made
of the advantages OF n parcels post.
which will be incorporated in speech in
Congress at the coming session. and then
be distributed broadcast a public docu-
ment An effort will pe made to CONSOLE
date the interests scattered through tho
country which are now working IN a s>,ts'e-
what SpaSu1odic way f0r the parcels post.
United into national organization. phey
will expect the support OF the business
houses til;tC WOClu ilo-EsTt DS iDiu'uss
into immediate trade relations with the
rural millions.
CHAIRMAN LOUD HOSTILE.
Mr.. Loud, chairman Of the House Post
office Committee, is much opposed to the
parcels post. He thinks the treaties by
which we carry i1-pound parcels for
foreigners are a mistake. Mr.. Loud was
not originally in Savor OF rural delivery,
and opposed the first $4,000 appropriation
for experimental purposes.
It IS probable that the transmission OF
parcels at low Government rate, and
with ample means of collection and de-
livery. would increase it's vo%me to such
a degree to make present estimates
of the business no real test. The express
companies lose something by "a duplica-
ton O. services. who. of course. oppose
the parcels plan: often three or four ex-
press offices will be found IN row.
whereas the Government would accom-
pIiSh some OF the savings that go with
the elimination OF competition