Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-05-07
SECOND-CLASS MAIL
COMMISSION PROPOSED TO STUDY.
THE MATTER.
Recommendation Sent to Congress by
Postmaster General
Cortelyou.

| Postmaster General Cortelyou has reooni-
| rnehded to Congress the appointment of a
| commission to inquire into the subject OF
| seccnd-class mail matter, with view to
| asccrtaining what notifications of the pres
| ent secor d-class laws are necessary, the
| commission to render its report to Congress
not later than December 10.
In order that all interests shall be rep
resented, he has recommended that the COM
mission consist of seven persons and be
| made up as follows: One senator, selected
| by the President of the Senate: one repre-
sentative. selected by the Speaker of the
House, one officer of the Post Office De-
partment selected by the Postmaster Cen
eraI; one representative of the publishers
of daily newspapers; one representative OF
the publishers of weekly, semi-weekly ana
tri-weekly newspapers, and one representa-
tive of the publishers of periodicals ana
ma gaines, the last three to be appointed
by the President of the United States from
among those recommended to him by rep
resentative associations of publishers OF
such newspapers and periodicals, and
! seventh members, to be selected by the SIX,
whose manner of selection is so specifically
provided. The commission will have power
to employ clerks and stenographers, ad-
minister oaths, send for persons and pa
pers and do ell things necessary for the
carrying out of it's objects. An appropria-
ton of $4,000 Is asked to defray the cost
Of the investigation.
The Postmaster General In his recent an
nual report, recommended to Congress q
thorough review of the whole subject OF
second-class mail matter and the enact
ment of a statute to take the place of those
existing which would render unnecessary
the consideration of such questions as those
upon which second-ciass matter now oe-
pend,
Existing Statutes Ont of Date.
In now recommending this commission
the Postmaster General, in his communica-
ton to the committee on post Offices ana
post roads to the Senate, says:
1.-THE existing statutes regulating the SEQ
ond class of mail matter are out of date;
they do not meet modern requirements OK
the publishing industry and the admlnistra-
ton of them unnecessarily and unreason-
ably hampers the publishers OF pona-noe
newspapers and periodicals.
LAS an Illustration of what is involved in
administration, II may he 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 d
known office of publication; what consti-
tutes a publication originated and publlshed
for the dissemination of Information
of public character, as distin-
guished from information of prl-
vate character; what Is devoted to mt
erature the sciences, arts, or some special
industry; what is legitimate list of sub
scribers. All of these questions must,
however, be determined in each case be-
fore second-class entry can be granted;
but a publication having met all of the
conditions is positively prohibited admls-
sion If it be designed primarily for adver-
ttsfrg purposes, or for free circulation, or
for circulation at nominal rates. That
such questions, especially the latter, are
subtle and complex and render administra-
ton exceedingly difficult scarcely need be
stated
Seven Different Rates.
Even after the right of publication to
pass in the mails at the second-class rates
of postage has been determined there are
six different rates of postage applicable
thereto when the matter is mailed by pub
fishers and news agents, and when mailed
by the general public there is still an
other-a seventh rate-provided. Each rate
is dependent upon the circumstances OF
time place and manner of mailing the
publication.
Therefore not only is 1t desired that the
conditions necessary to be established be-
fore publication can be admitted as sec
ond-class matter be simplified, but that In
addition thereto the multiplicity of rates
which depend SO largely upon the circum-
stances of mailing rather than upon the
matter itseif-bo reduced.
1t is believed that such commission IL
appointed, will be able to make recon-
mendations to Congress which will result
in the passage of a law that will be equit-
able to publishers, relieve them from pres
ent annoyances and restrictions and at the
same time protect the interests Of the gov
eminent.