Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1906-05-10
INTERNATIONAL POSTAL RATES.
some Prosrsss Made in oheapeninw
the Cost.
Roston sFranscrint

Boston transcript.
The international Postal conventions ses-
sions at Rome have not attracted so much
attention as perhaps they deserve We ex-
pect every such gathering TO score an ad-
vance in an increase Of facilities or a cheap
ening Of rates for postal communication be-
tween the various countries. Not much has
been done along this line by the latest con-
vention, but there was something. II was
decreed that while the present charge Of
5 cents on letter should be maintained
within the Postal union. the charge on each
additional unit should be reduced to 2 cents,
so that what has cost 10 cents will now cost
Z, and what was Is will be g.
That is a step toward the goal which the
people of the several countries, II not their
governments, desire to see attained. Moth
ing short of a universal 2-cent rate will sat
isfy the ultimate standard that has been
popularity agreed upon. There is no function
Of government in which the people take a
larger interest than in the postal service.
II comes into direct touch with them more
or less frequently, and by the reduction Of
the rates in the various countries, since
transportation has become so swift and
easy, IL has exerted a broad educational
and social influence that has been a factor
Of the greatest value in the marvellous
progress OF the last fifty or sixty years
Time was, within the memory OF many not
now so very old when It cost 25 cents to
send letter any considerable distance,
though there were different rates for differ-
ent distances; but It is safe to assume that
the governments proportional deficiency in
running the department under the 2-ceni
rate is much less than It was under the
25-cent.
A canvass Of the situation a year or two
ago was indicative of a prospect that the
proposition to establish universal 2-cent
rate would not be seriously opposed by the
representatives Of any government, except
Germany. its objection being based upon this
well-understood fact that its revenues for
the last few years had not kept pace with
It's expenditures. But the postmaster gen
erRl OF New Zealand made the motion e
that effect; the postmaster general of Egyp
seconded IL, and the United States represen
tative supported II. but all the others hum
back. The combination In it's favor was
rather curious one. though 1t was perhaps
natural that New Zealand and the United
States. both progressive countries, should
range themselves on that side.
Still, even in the reduction OF the rate OF
extra units we have drawn little neare
to a realisation OF the main proposition. Tn
fact that this country has taken it's stand Il
favor OF the movement will make for IL
ultimate success. because II there are an!
burdens to be borne or sacrifices involves
the United States will carry the lions shar
Of them because OF It's heterogeneous popu
lation and magnificent distances. But W
doubt whether these extra burdens wOul
amount TO much All such movements ten
to increase the POSTAL business without max
ing appreciably larger demands upon tn
machinery OF transacting It, and the peopl
Of several countries would be greatly benz
hted.