The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1906-05-10
PLAN TO MODIFY
Second CLASS RATE
COMMISSION TO REVISE STAT
UTEs NOW IN FORCE.
in JUSTICE TO PUBLISHERS
Postmaster General Cortelyou Seeks
More Equitable Conditions
for Mailing Daily and
Weekly Papers.

Washington, May 7.-Postmaster
General Cortelyou has recommended
to congress the appointment of com.
mission to inquire into the subject Of
second-class mail matter with view
to ascertaining what notifications OF
the present second-class laws are nee.
essary, the commission to render its
report to congress not later than De
cember 10, 1906
In order that all interests shall be
represented, he has recommended that
the commission consist Of seven per-
sons, and be made up as follows One
senator, selected by the president of
the senate; one representative, select
ed by the speaker Of the house; one
officer of the post Office department,
selected by the postmaster general;
one representative of the publishers
of daily newspapers; one representa-
tive OF the publishers of weekly, semi
weekly and tri-weekly newspapers,
and one representative of the publish
ers of periodicals and magazines. The
last three to be appointed by the pres
ident of the United States from among
those recommended to him by repre-
sentative associations of publishers of
such newspapers and periodicals, and
seventh member to be selected by
the six whose manner of selection is
so specifically provided.
The commission will have the power
to employ clerks and stenographers.
administer oaths, send for persons and
papers, and do all things necessary for
the carrying out of its objects. An
appropriation of $4,000 is asked to
defray the cost of the investigation.
Would Revise the Law.
In recommending this commission
the postmaster general, in his com
munication to the committees on post
Offices and post roads of the senate
says
"The existing statute regulating the
secondelass Of mail matter are out
Of date; they do not meet modern re-
quirements of the publishing industry,
and the administration of them un.
necessarily and unreasonably hampers
the publishers of bonafide newspapers
and periodicals,
''As an illustration of what is in
yolYed in administration, 1t may be
stated that the question of what is a
bona fide newspaper or periodical is
one about which there may be and
often is much difference of opinion.
The same is true of what constitutes a
known office Of publication; what con.
stitutes a publication originated and
published for the dissemination of in
formation of a public character; what
is devoted to literature, the sciences,
arts, or some special industry; what
is a legitimate list of subscribers.
Complicated Questions.
"All of these questions must, how
ever, be determined in each case before
second class entry can be granted; but
a publication having met all Of the
conditions, is positively prohibited ad'
mission if it be designed primarily
for advertising purposes, or for free
circulation, or for circulation at nom
inal rates That such questions, espe'
cially the latter, are subtle and com
pick, and render administration ex'
ceedingly difficult scarcely need be
stated"
Postmaster General Cortelyou ex
presses the belief that such commits
sion, if appointed, will be able to
make recommendations to congress
which will result in the passage Of a
law that will be equitable to publish
ers, relieve them from present annoy
ances and restrictions, and at the
same time protect the interests of the