Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-11-26
CHARGES FOR NEWSPAPERS
Robert ]. Collier Opposes Mr.. Mad
den's Proposition.
HEARING AT THE CAPITOL
Resumption Of the Investigation of
Alleged Abuses That Was Be-
gun in New York.

The Joint congressional commission to in
vestigate all matters pertaining to second
class mail matter met In the room Of the
Senate committee on post Offices and post
roads at the Capitol today and resumed its
Investigation which was begun In October
in New York city, when a large amount OF
testimony was taken.
The session of the commission today was
presided over by Senator Penrose. Mr.
Robert j. Collier of New York was the
first publisher to go on the stand. He was
questioned as to his views on legislation
that should be enacted by Congress to cor
rect the evils that have been complained Of
The fact that a large amount of matter
Is distributed by the government at the rate
OF one cent a pound, or as second-class
matter, which in effect Is chiefly made up
Collier did not agree with the form OF re-
vision OF the postal law as proposed by Mr..
Madden, the third assistant postmaster
general. He expressed sympathy with the
efforts OF the officials of the department to
eradicate abouses Of the privileges granted
under the law for second-class mall mat
ter, but disagreed with the proposition of
the third assistant postmaster general.
Increased Rates Opposed.
Mr.. Collier remarked that In the view OF
many publishers Mr.. Madden went too far
In his language in reference to publishers.
and he declared that Mr.. Madden evidently
viewed all publishers with the "jaundiced
eye" Mr.. Collier did not believe that there
should be any increase in the second-class
rates. and expressed the view that II that
should be done there would be consequences
that would not be of advantage to the pub
lie at large. He saw no objection. however.
to more careful scrutiny of the postal
law as applied to this class of mail matter.
and thought that Congress might strength
en- the existing statutes In order that the
abuses that have been complained OF should
be eradicated.
Among the spectators present during the
hearing. which will continue this afternoon.
was postmaster General Cortelyou.
The Canadian Complaint. :.
The commission will take up the issue
raised by the Canadian government in abro-
eating the provision of the postal conven-
ton between the two countries concerning
second-class matter which. according to the
notice that has been given by Canada. will
expire May Z. 1907. This provision permits
the transmission through the mails Of pc
riodical publications. which includes news
papers. at cent pound.
Canada has for some time objected to
some of the matter that is accepted in the
United States at second-class rates.
1t is claimed that perhaps O hundred pub
locations In this country enjoy the second
class rates and in that way receive dlstri-
button in Canada, whereas the Canadian
government does not give similar, rates to
publications within its own territory. - ri
II the commission comes to a concmsion
that wifi place the regulations OF tile Post
Office Department upon the same plane AS
those yDf Canada, the matter. of an agree
ment with Canada in relation to such rates
will be an easy matter. Should that not be
the case and should the commission permit
the present regulations to stand an agFee-
ment with Canada will be more difficult.