New-York tribune., 1901-07-18
CHECKING NAIL ABUSES
REFORMS THAT MAY LEAD TO CNE
CENT LETTER POSTAGE.
PoSTMASTER-GEN SMITH ISSUES
THREE IMPORTANT ORDERS DEBARRING
FAKE PUBLICATIONS FROM SEC
OND CLASS RATES.
OND CLASS RATES.
[BY TELEGRAPH TO rHE TRIBUNE. ]


Washington. July 17.-Postmaster- General
Smith to-day signed three orders amending in
important particulars the postal regulations
affecting second class mail matter. The changes
viii produce sweeping and radical reforms in
the department practices and methods of treat
Ing this class OF matter. The first order amends
Section 2T6 20 exclude from the second
class publications which have the characteristics
Of books. This amendment is follows:
Periodical publications herein referred to. are
held not TO include those having the character
Istcs of books. but only such as consist of cur
rent news or miscellaneous literary matter or
both (not excluding advertising). and conform
10 the statutory characteristics of second class
matter.
The second order amends Section 2S1 in several
particulars. the principal one being that publi-
cations. the subscriptions TO which are not
founded on their value literary jour
nails. and which by the general use of premiums
or other considerations in the form of chances
TO win prizes, etc. to induce subscriptions, in
effect circulate at apparently a nominal rate,
will he excluded from the second class. The
essential paragraph OF this amendment is as
follows:
The subscription price must be shown by the
publication, and when il appears from the
tents, or from the extrinsic inducements Of
fered in common with IT, that the circulation
of the publication is not founded on its value
as news literary journal and that sub
SCrptlOnS are not made because of such value,
but because its offers of merchandise or other
consideration result in effect I'm it's circulation
at apparently nominal rate, such a publication
does not come within the requirements of the
law for acceptance as second class matter
The third order amends Section 3Ol so that
unsold copies of second class publications may
not to be returned at the pound rate news
agents or TO publishers
An explanatory statement issued at the De-
partment regarding the order says:
The action of Postmaster General Smith is re-
garded as highly important IL is evidence of
the purpose OF the department TO administer the
law as 1t is, strictly and properly. and that
abuses. wherever found. will be eradicated.
Loose and indifferent Interpretation heretofore
ls responsible for the loss of many millions to
the government 1t is believed that when the
effect of the changes is thoroughly esta blished
many postal improvements will follow. and one
cent letter postage will be made possible.
GREAT PUBLIC BENEFITS EXPECTED
An immediate effect of the orders will be TO
bar from the mails at regular publication rates
all fake" publications and other periodicals
whose circulation depends on various lottery
and prize schemes. No legitimate publica ton
will be injured by the dspensation On the
contrary all such publications including news
papers and magazines of established character.
will be distinctly benefited through the practical
suppression by the Postoffice Department Of
catchpenny periodicals that have been sys-
tenatically swindling the government out of
millions of revenue every year by burdening
the mails with u class of matter which the law
makers never intended should be considered as
entitled 10 the rate of second class mail
still broader public benefit is expected TO
ensue through the ultimate reduction of letter
postage to one cent. In the opinion of the Post
ONCE authorities this will be made possible by
the saving that will be effected by the change.
III Is said by experts in the department that
nearly the entire deficiency of S3 800 900 in the
last fiscal year could have been averted had the
mails been closed to the class of publica tions
which Mr.. Smith delivered such stunning blow
to-day. The department is aware that when the
intention to issue the orders announced con-
siderable misapprehension was caused in pub
ishins circles in New-York and other parts of
the country. For this reason the officials want
10 emphasize the fact that no legitimate publi-
cation will be affected by the changes All the
department has done is TO put an Interpretation
on the postal laws which, IL is sontended Con-
gress meant should be applied. The abuses that
nave grown up were due to loose and Indifferent
interpretations heretofore. 1t is pointed out
that II costs the government from four 10 five
cents pound 10 handle second class mail mat
Ter The rate established by law is one cent a
pound. There is, therefore, heavy loss in
handling such matter. While heretofore about
ee-fourths of the postal matter has been
rated as second class yet the revenue derived
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