The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-11-18
new RATES OF POSTAGE
TWO OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF
EDWIN C. MADDEN.
Four Cents n Pound for All PubIica-
tiOns Except Newspapers-Con-
sOIidatiOn of Classes.

WASHINGTON, Nov. 17.-Edwin c. Mad
den. third assistant postmaster general, in
his annual report made public to-day, rec
commends the establishment Of the follow
ing new postage rates: "A new rate at 4
cents a pound for all publications now adj
mitted to the second-class mail, except
daily; tri-weekly, semi-weekly and weekly
newspapers. in the general understood
sense of the word newspaper This rate
Is TO be paid on the bulk weight without re-
gard to the number of pieces, the same as
is now the case under the pound rate.
The consolidation of the third and fourth
classes of mail matter and that the postage
thereon be at the rate of 1 cent for each
two ounces or fraction thereof, to be pre-
paid by stamps affixed.
Congress also is asked TO authorize the
postmaster general TO accept, under suita-
BILE regulations, mailings of large %quanti-
ties of identical pieces of printed matter
and small articles of ~merchandise without
the necessity of afixing postage stamps to
the individual pieces.
The recommendation for the 4 cents a
pound rate is an outgrowth of the investi-
CATION into the abuses of the second-class
mail privileges. Mr.. Madden says that
many OF the cheaper class of periodicals
would be given away If the law would per-
nit. The practice, it is said, is to maintain
the fiction. of a subscription price
and to give back its equivalent in
a premium. The solution Of the whole
problem. he says, is that a new postage
rate be created and applied 10 all publica-
tons now admitted TO the second class, ex-
cept daily. triweekly. semiweekly ana
weekly newspapers, In the sense IN wnlch
the word newspaper is generally under
stood. Mr.. Madden says: mo one viii
question the public benefit or genuine
newspapers, and for these an absolutely
free rate might be granted If the privilege
could be properly confined But am con-
strained to say that il Is unJustinable TO
Longer tax the people for any part OF the
cost of distribution in the mails OF any
other class of periodical publications.
Concerning the public impression that
1-cent postage is probable in the near fu-
ture, Mr.. Madden says 1T is altogether
too soon to consider a reduction OF the
letter rate of postage on the mere basis
that the reforms in second-class mali mat
ter Will save enough TO the government
to compensate IL for the loss OF revenue
through the reduction OF the letter rate.
Had the proposed 4 cents per pound rate
and this anticipated rate OF i cent per one
half ounce for letters existed during the
last fiscal year. Mr.. Madden says. 1.-The
result. based upon an estimate, would nave
been an aggregate estimated deficiency OF
s19, 900, coo. Thus. even under an increase
in the rate OF postage on periodicals as
| recommended IL Will not NC QidCtiCdoic W
establish a 1-cent letter rate before the
postal service is thoroughly adjusted. not
only 10 the reforms in second-class mail
matter, but also TO the enormous expendi-
lures necessary to completely and satisfac-
torily establish the rural free-delivery sys-
tenn. The postal system Is largely monop-
olized by publishers with more than two
thirds of the total weight of all mail mat
ter from which revenue is derived. for
which they pay but about one-twenty-
fourth OF the total postage revenue
Mr.. Madden recommends that Congress
be requested to pass a law allowing a repFy
envelope and reply postal card service
under a plan for the collection of postage
at the place of delivery rather than at the
place of mailing.
Mr.. Madden says that nearly s4,0O0.00
was expended during the year on account
of experimental rural free delivery and that
had IL not been for this large expenditure
the postal service for the fiscal year 1902
would have been self-sustaining. and would
have had more than s1.ooo.0o to it's credit
The report points out a number OF still
existing abuses. among the most fragrant
OF which are stated to be the abuse OF the
sample copy privileges and the offering OF
0remtums- 10 sphscr3baEAL