Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1906-04-03
b. cauas ef the Po.tnI pefIolt.


Mr.. Wilmer Atkinson, editor Of the
Farm Journal, in a very interesting little
pamphlet eifcctually disposes Of the CON
tention- advanced by every Postmaster
General since John Wanamaher- that the
government carries newspapers and period
Gals a. seoond-class matter a. the exist
ing rates, at a great loss, and that this loss
is the reason for the annual deficit in the
operations Of tho Postoflice Department
A sealed letter goes anywhere in the
Omitted States NJ the rate of 30 cents per
pound; this is designated as frst-class
matter; unsealed printed matter in the
form Of circulars goes at the rate of 8 cents
per pound; this is third-class matter;
merchandise is mailed at the rate Of -l6
cents per pound; this is fourth-class mat
ter; newspapers and periodicals, mailed
by publishers and news agents, 60 at the
rate Of i'cent per pound; these belong to
the second-class. From the weight of
and rates paid on the second-class matter,
il is figured that il is the latter class which
cuts down the revenue.
But Mr. Atkinson argues 10 the con-
trary Very practically he shows that
the advertisements which are carried by
the socond-classp publications newspapers
and penodicals-attract an enormous
amount of mail which is carried as frst-
class, third-class and fourth-class matter,
az the more remunemtive rates. A large
proportion Of all the letters written and
sent through the mails, is, he contends,
and with sound reason, directly or in
directly in response TO advertisements
printed in newspapers and periodicals, or
in response to circulars for which a call
is made by newspaper advertising.
In illustration of this contention, Mr..
Atkinson cites the experience Of farmer
who may take nothing in the way of a
paper save an agricultural journal
and who has no occasion for writing per-
sonal letters, but who, together with
members Of his family, is drawn into an
extensive correspondence by reason of
the Advertisements in his paper. which
appeal 20 him from a practical point of
view. The result Of the advertisements
in the daily and weekly newspapers swells
the total Of this kind Of correspondence
enormously. Even the publications which
are sent through the mails at second-class
rates use the mails extensively for first
class matter, as an instance Of which Mr..
Atkinson quotes the expenditures Of his
own paper, which, during the three months
ended with January of this year. paid on
second-class matter S3,Si2OS, but on
irst-class and third-class matter Sl2.-
S60.3s during the same period.
There can be no doubt, therefore, that
newspapers and periodicals, instead Of
causing loss 20 thePost Office Department
by the special low rates at which they are
carried through the mails, attract an
enormous revenue by the use Of the mail.
for first-class matter which they directly in
cite. The special rate accorded second-clas.
matter by the government may be com
pared to a merchant expending none,
for advertising. He gets il back many
times in the shape Of profitable business
There is no doubt that the real caus,
Of the annual deficit in the revenues O
the Postoiiico Department is the grca
loss resulting from the carriage Of frel
mail, by reason of the enormous abus,
Of tho franking privilege.