The Mankato free press., 1904-03-25
Board OF Trade Is Opposed to the
Bill Before Congress.
Gains That The Scheme Would Eene-
fit Catalogue Houses.
Also An Additional Burden Would
Fall on the Government.
Congressman MccIeary Not An Ad-
mirac Of 8r0WnIoW Bill.
From Tuesdays Daily.

From Tuesdays Daily.
Unqualified opposition to the proposed
parcels post legislation by congress is
expressed in the resolution adopted at
this mornings meeting of the board of
trade:
Resolved, That the several bills
pending in congress under the general
designation of parcels post legislation,
the purposes of which are to cheaper
the rate of postage and increase the size
of third and fourth class mail matter,
are against the general interests of the
country at large and are for the special
privileges of the mail order business
houses located in large cities, and such
laws will tend to upbuild such cities and
retard all other sections.
Resolved, further, That such propos
ed legislation would impose upon the
government a burden the cost of which
would have to be paid out of the general
revenues in large part, and the effect
of which would be to materially impair
the efficiency of the postoffice depart
ment for handling first and second class
mail matter, which latter service is of
paramount Importance
"Be it further resolved, That the rep
resentatives from this state in congress
are respectfully requested to oppose such
legislation"
C. n. Andrews broached the subject
in his report as chairman of the spec
ial committee appointed to look into
the subject. Mr.. Andrews thought the
most effective way of fighting the bills
would be to have prominent individuals
write to Minnesota's congressional rep
resentatives. The effect of resolutions
would not amount to nearly so much.
However, he presented the above resolu-
ton as the committee had been appoint
ed to draft one.
M. G. Willard was at first rather in
clined to oppose the resolution. England
and other nations, he said, had the par
cells post system in vogue. The institu-
ton there worked for the common benefit.
Under the proposed system the traffic
in third and fourth class matter would
be largely increased and might by and
by come to pay for itself. He didn't
think the new system would harm the
merchants as much as they supposed
George E. Brett said the bills were
very antagonistic to small merchants
and would benefit the catalogue
houses, which were pushing the new
scheme.
Thomas Hughes remarked that the
express companies gave a reasonable
rate on the transportation of books
which were carried by the mails. But
on such things as the mails did not
touch the express companies charged ex-
orbitant rates. He supposed the big
rates charged affected the merchants as
well as other people. As to the COM
petition of the catalogue houses with
the local merchants, it was recognized
principle that some harm always came
of any innovation, however beneficial it
might be on the whole.
Mayor Taylor thought the resolution
was all right. He knew of many peo-
pie sending away their money in ad-
vance to Chicago and New York and
paying just as much for their goods
in this way as they gould have bought.
these same goods for at home. The
local merchant was local tax payer
and should be protected.
F. M. Currier thought the proposed
parcels post system would be very detri-
mental to the smaller cities. Great cat
alogue houses by reason of their enor-
NOUS deals could buy more cheaply
than the smaller dealer and thus had
him at disadvantage. Many farm
ers had foolish idea that an article
was better if it came from far away.
Under the proposed system the govern"
ment would have to erect huge ware
houses to carry on the mail business
The postoffice building would be alto
gether inadequate. 1t would involve ar
immense expense. The warehouses
would cost millions snd millions OF
dollars.
T. w. Hart said he believed like Mr.
Currier that the resolution should b'
passed. MIR. McCleary had stated
short time ago that the nature OF tn
interests that were behind the bill wer
enough to induce him to vote agalns
the bill aside from any other consider
ations. The congressman thought i
a bad bill anyhow. MIR. Hart went OF
to saw that he doubted whether tn
farmer cared for the bill at all. 1
rural carrier had made a remark tina
the bill would so load him down wit
merchandise that he could not max
his rounds. The bill, Mr.. Hart said, oil
not come from the farmers and was no
introduced at their instance. 1t wa
started by few mammoth concern