Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1901-04-15
SeCOND.CIASS MAIL MATTER.
Department Seeking 10 Shu. oil Wholesale
Abuse o. the Present Law.

Washington. AIrl i4.-Iiaving repeated
iy failed to secure remedial Legislation
from cuuEr, AS to prevent abuse ~ prIFi-
lcgcS az scouud-r,aA5 mail matter. th'
post oittC., department officials have I'M
der couStde ration the question OF ihf
a,IoD:iou of "A proposed rulc by authorit
81 the postmaster general 10 bring aboui
the desired reforms. with this object II
view. Edwin &. Madden. third assistant
postmaster general. has addressed a Iona
circular letter to about 4sl publishers ul
newspapers and periodicals settling fortf
Inc objects sought to b" accomplished bl
III. proposed rue and asking ne follow
ing question:
I'm yhe Judgment OF those addressed
will a departmental rute h. regarded -
Injurious To legitimate NJ wspapcrs AM
periodicals. which Will stop absolutely al
premium inducements. direct or indirect
and az whatever character, for subscrip-
tons? In other words, after publishes
has fixed price on his publication any
bonus or premium given to the subscriber
or any combination with anotntr tniis
except second-claas publication shal
yitiatc that subscription in IT. relation y
the stcoud-clasS rates Of postage.
Mr. Madden addressed: 1T Is teieNed
that such a rule as that proposed Will be
of great direct benefit to legitimate jour
nalsm and that i'm very large measlr.
IL will check this draft upon the pnbhC
treasury for private advantage. with u"
compensating pubic benefit through the
elimination OF an immense number oi
publications which are wholly sustained
in their second-class status by patrons
induced by some extrancous ihins IN con-
iiict with the spirit Of the law such a
cons summation has mich Of promise III
The direction OF better postal facilities
and cheaper rates Tor oth"t glasses Oh
mail matter =, 49,,
The circular asserts that the loss o!
revenue TO the government from thc
abuses OF the privileges ~ secSnd-SiasS
matter is enormous, being estimated con-
seryativelv to be between Sl5,WN,V1 ahu
S95 tot OK a wear Existing regulations.
however faithfully administered, are IN
ADEQUATE to accomplish material reform
and the most prolitc means bH winch aii'
law is circumNSnted remains uilHi'' III "''i
by regulation. Mt.
or The many means by which pubilta-
;iuns not properly entitled to this taVorej
postage rate spring into existence anu
thrive. no other. ii is asserted ~ Nj.
Madden is SO fruitful ana lilSiuiouS .i1
The pcrmission-noi CT law or rule. but %
t1riut,rrupt pracsiCc-that SubsctlptiSii
may be obtained by offers Of premiums
OF merchandise. chances TO draw pri.cS
in guessing contents and countess HI
penious schemes of kindred character ana
effect. CALCULATIONS running mo the
thousands and into the millions, the err
cuIar saws. have been built up by THIS
premium process, for publications wnlTh
ilnon actual merit can command no pun
lie patronage whatever. SUCH subscflp-
tions'' except in an occasional instance
where some actually merltorious puohC't-
tiou employs the plan. represent IN no NJ
.ral sense a public interest i'll the llteia-
,urc or in the news. TO whlch II -
claimed such publications are voted
MIR Madden asks jhlt the maltcf pt
Given prompt attention and says That tn
form proposed can scarcely be carried
on succ, ssfully without the ana ana III az
sI,pnort of the standard newspapers alu
periodicals OF the country.