Evening star., 1901-06-07
Publishers Views on Proposed Post
Office Rule,
ABUSE OF SECOND-CLASS PRIVILEGE
Premium Periodicals Carried at
Regular Newspaper Rates.
LOSS TO THE DEPARTMENT

promulgate rule which will exclude from
the United States mails as second-class
matter those publications for which sub
scribers are obtained by the distribution of
premiums. The initiative was taken some
time ago by Edwin c. Madden, third
sIstant postmaster general. April 13 a cir
cular letter was sent to 372 publishers IN
viting each to submit his opinion of the
Justice and efficacy of the rule which
it is proposed by the department to adopt.
The letter requested answer to the follow
ing question:
I'm the judgment of those addressed will
a departmental rule be regarded as injuri-
GUS to legitimate newspapers and periodi-
calls. which will stop absolutely all pre-
MUM inducements, direct or indirect,
and of whatever character. for sub
scriptions? other words, after a
publisher has fixed price on his pub
1catlon, any bonus or premium given to
the subscriber, Or any combination with
another thing except second-class pub
lication. shall vitiate that subscription in
Its relation to Sne second-class rates Of
postage"
Replies for the Most Part Favorable.
The replies to this circular which have
been received at the Post Office Depart
ment up to and including today number
posed rule, 6 oppose it and q cannot. be
classified as either for or against the
proposition. The number of persons to
whom copy of the letter was sent and
from whom no reply has been received is
1876. 1t is inferred by the postal authorities
that these delinquents are, at least, not
actively hostile to the adoption of the anti
premium rule
The circular was sent to publishers Of 274
daily. semi-weekiy and daily and weekly
newspapers SO approved and only disap
proved. Three Of the replies could not be
classified. From publishers Of semi-weekly
newspapers there came 10 favorable re-
plies and that were adverse. One was
not susceptible of classification. Twenty
six publishers Of daily and weekly news
papers answered that they favor the rule,
6 opposed 1t and could not be classified.
The publishers Of 80 weekly newspapers
were consulted. A large majority assented
to the justice of the rule.
The circular was sent to publishers of 66
semf-monthly and monthly publications.
OF those conducting Semi-monthly publf-
cations one was for, one was against and
one was non-commit tai
OF the 30 weekly papers consulted 13
were farm papers. religious, trade and
advertising periodicals. The remaining 10
were general news weeklies.
Argument Pro and Con.
The postal authorities are not inclined to
responses. Those who favor the adoption
of the rule make the argument that the
correction of the abuse Of the pound rate
of postage would make feasible a reduction
of the rates of postage on first, third and
fourth-class mater. The argument is made
that If newspaper cannot obtain sub.
ScriberS its merit as a newspaper rather
than because of its liberal1ty in. the pay
ment of premiums to subscribers, 1t ought
not to be allowed transmission through the
mails at the second-class rate of postage.
A specimen of the replies indorsing the
position Of the postal authorities follows:
There is no legitimate or sufficient rea-
son for the existence Of such newspapers
as find 1t necessary to depend upon cash
or other prizes or premiums to build up or
maintain their circulation. The effect is
to create and foster the gambling spirit in
the minds Of the young. to whom the in
ducements described are mainly held out.
The chief argument advanced by those
who oppose the PRONUNCIATION Of the anti
premium rule is that what the government
loses by reason Of abuse Of the pound-rate
privilege 1t gains in revenue on the other
class Of mail due to correspondence between
newspapers and subscribers and the trans
mission through the mails of the premiums.
The postal authorities, after deliberate con-
sideration of this phase of the question,
say the argument thus advanced is spe-
ciouS.
Preparing to Resist the Rule.
The beneficiaries under the premium sys-
tenn are preparing to make determined re-
sistance to the proposed abridgment of
their privileges. Organizations have been
effected and letters sent to subscribers urg-
ing that they exert whatever influence they
can to the end that the rule be not issued,
and suggesting that they write to the Post
master General and the third assistant
postmaster general and their representa-
tives In Congress. One of the results of all
this is that great weight of mail comes
to =, DO, rty apf 4,a
of which express the hope that the anti
premium rule be not adopted. AS is natu-
raj. those who are directly interested in the
continuance of the privilege, the abuse of
which is complained of. are more active
than those who favor the opposite course
the broad and general ground of public
good.
SecOnd-Class Matter Defined.
The act of March 3. 1879, in defining the
publication which shall be entitled to trans
mission through the mails as second-class
matter provides that 'it must be originated
and published for the dissemination of in
formation Of a public character, or devoted
to literature, the sciences, arts or some
special industry, and having legitimate
list of subscribers: Provided, however, that
nothing herein contained shall be so con-
strued as to admit to the second-class rate
regular publications, designed primarily for
advertising purposes, or for free circula-
ton. or for circulation at nominal rates"
of subscribers Mr.. Madden, on June ~
1900, ruled as follows:
In making up the legitimate list of SUBJ
scr1bers' there may be included, with d.
rect subscriptions to the publishers, copies
regularly sold by newsboys, copies reg
ularly sold over the publishers counter to
purchasers of individual copies. regular
sales OF copies Of consecutive issues by
news agencies. and bona fide bulk pur-
chases of consecutive issues by news
agencies for sale in the usual way without
the return privilege. There may also be
counted in making up the list Of subscrib-
ers one copy to each advertiser to prove ad-
vertisement and bona fide exchanges-one
copy for another-with existing second
class publications within reasonable limits
as to number in each case"
Long Existing Abuse.
The third assistant postmaster general
in the circular letter sent to publishers Of
newspapers and periodicals of good stand
ing. wrote:
For years past the Post Office Depart
ment has been praying for legislation which
would relieve it from the burden it carries
in the abuses Of the privilege of second
class mail matter. A proposed remedial
of Congress- has haen throa f}rpoo <1o