Omaha daily bee., 1906-10-03
SECOND CLASS MAIL MATTER
Postal Commission Hears Assistant
Postmaster of Chicago at
New work sitting.

NEW YORK. oct. 2.-Important changes
In the laws governing the handling Qt
second class mail matters were raised In
statement by John NJ. Hubbard, assistant
postmaster of Chicago, which was read
today by the Postal commission. which
is investigating that subject in this city.
Mr.. Hubbard recommended:
That second class mail matters be made
self-sustaining
That a law obliging bulk matters to be
carried outside of tine mails would go a
long way toward solving the problem.
That IL these two resolutions are rejected
that the rates on bulk packages be re-
duced to cents a pound to news agents
and dealers and TO cents to SUBSCRIBER,
advertisers and exchanges.
The abolition of the sample copy privi-
lege, the transcient rate on packages and
the compulsory routing OF second class
The passing OF stringent law to punish
vtolators of the law.
MIR. Hubbard's statement argued that
lf-sustaining rate would remove the de-
felt In the Postofice department enable
congress to increase the pay Of deserving
employees, cheaper the cost of administer
ing the department and make the press
Independent of the department.
One way to save Expense.
I The carrying of bulk outside the mails,
the statement declared, would resul. IN
immense saving to the department, and 1t
is thought that the publishers can make
better terms with the transportation COM
panies than with the department
1t was said that cost of handling un-
routed mail is u cents a hundred and Of
routed mail cents a hundred.
A brief on behalf of the American Pub
lishers' association was submitted today
to the congressional commission on postal
matters. which is in session here, and
which Is inquiring especially into what
steps shall he taken by the government to
obliterate the large annual deficits in the
postal revenues. due it is alleged, to the
handling of so many tons of second class
matter at the rate of cent per pound.
The brief is designed to show that the
legitimate daily newspapers are not the
cause of the deficit and consequently are
entitled to a continuance of the prevailing
rate. 1t is asserted that while the gov
ernment itself has to pay more than 1C
cents to carry the l0-cent magazine from
the publishing Office 60 the news stand and
subscriber. 1t derives a profit from the
carrying of the daily newspapers. 1t is
declared that the newspapers have been
improperly included in sweeping assertions
that all those entitled to the second class
mailing privilege enjoy a gratuity and
subsidy from the government. The brief
points out that the recent deficits in postal
revenues were anticipated by Postmasters
! General Smith and Payne because of tbs
| establishment OF the rural free delivery
system. and that the deficits need not bC
viewed with apprehension. The brief sug
gests steps that may partially remedy th'
abuses which have furnished occasion foi
complaint.
Rate Is Profitable.
The belief Is expressed that the trans
! portation OF newspapers at / cent pei
| pound is profitable, inasmuch as express
and railroad companies find proft II
carrying newspapers and other articles a.
! rates varying from y OF a cent pound L
| l cent a pound. giving more and bettei
! service for the money and carrying Ions
| distances at the cent n pound rate.
The brief asserts that the situation as Il
postal deficits is not SO bad as appears q
first glance. The country is growing will
amazing rapdity. The revenues of eacl
year are always more than enough to pa.
Z the expenses of the previous year, so tina
an end be put TO deficits IL stop !
put TO the increase In expenditures. Com
pairing the United States postal service 4
that of Great Britain. It Is shown tina
England pays $i41 to the mile for transport
ing malls, whereas the United States pay
but $1e6 Yet Great Britain makes prof
of s22,OOO.OO0 year. mainly due to tn
short haul and the dense population.
The brief states that the second elias
rate should be restricted to the dlssemina
ticn of public Information and that it
employment primarily for mercantile pur
poses be stopped.