The Washington times., 1905-12-19
DOMESTIC PARCELS
POST SUGGESTED
Similar to Those In Vogue
Abroad.
C0RTELYCU'S PROPOSAL
Postmaster General Favors Introduction
of System as an Expert
mental Service

Establishment of a domestic parcels
post along lines similar to those of the
foreign parcels post now in vogue will
probably he the next step taken in the
development of the postal service POST
master General Cortelyou does not be-
heve. however. that anything should be
done at present further than the intro
duction of an experimental service OF
this character In certain carefully Sc
lected sections of the country. where a
fair test Of its usefulness could be made
In his annual report. Mr.. Cortelyou has
refrained from asking Congress for the
establishment of a separate parcels post
in the domestic service, but an earnest
Recommendation is made that third and
fourth class matter be merged at the
rate Of one cent for two ounces. This
could be done without the necessity OF
rearranging the service.
Rate Difficulty.
At present the difficulty which pre-
sents itself rs the establishment of a
uniform rate, which would not be too
high for short distances and too low for
long distances. Necessarily, any effort
upon the part Of the General Govern
ment TO carry parcels of greater weight
and size than are now admitted TO the
mails would bring il into immediate
competition with the express companies.
a uniform system OF postage. which
would actually cover the entire service,
would necessarily be much cheaper for
long distances. but would probably be
higher for short distances
This condition would result I'm the
service getting the business between
loug-distance points. while the express
companies would still maintain their
hold on the business of all short dis
5ancc parcels, because the zone rates
of the express companies would be less
than the postage rates
Postmaster General Cortelyou saws
that an effective domestic parcels post
should be organized on the same lines.
substantially, as the express companies
conduct their business in this country,
and as parcels post service is con-
ducted in other countries. 1t is not
believed practicable. however. for the
Government TO adopt a schedule of rates
based upon mileage. as is done by the
express companies. for such system
would place 1t in the express business.
rather than in that of legitimate mail
carrying.
Similar to Express Offices.
1t would be necessary to maintain Of
fees similar to express offices. where
persons desiring to obtain the rates to
different points would have to go for
their information. and to which they
would probably have TO carry their
packages.
If the parcels most Is TO be 1ss ed
al all. the Postoffice officials think. it
must be upon the basis OF uniform rates
al all points. Such system alone
would place the service within easy
reach OF all and make it of genera.
benefit
Should Congress authorize experiments
the Postmaster General eontempIates
putting into operation the service be
tween two cities far apart and two
close together. A line from Boston 10
San Francisco would probably be es-
tablished. and one between New Yorl
and Philadelphia or places approximate
~ that distance apart.
In this manner il could be determined
just how much more the long-distanct
service would cost over that of tn.
short distance service and whether the
rates could be so arranged and equal
ized as TO make the service equally
valuable under two so entirely differeni
conditions
Should Be Self Sustaining.
Mr.. Cortelyou is of the opinion that
the service should be self-sustaining
and. therefore that a uniform rate Il