Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1907-12-18
THE PARCELS POST.

.eEHL-T L.Hssa
The Retail Merchants Association OF
Illinois has published its reasons
for opposing the parcels post scheme
of Postmaster General Meyer. 1t
agrees in part:
..Practica1 operation of parcels post
will enlarge the volume of business in
the trade centers. A congestion of
business will follow. This is a condi-
ton which must be avoided for the
future welfare of our country. The
stable welfare Of u people lies In the
preservation of the smaller industries,
and fostering the shopkeeper in the
small towns and villages.
Enlarged parcels post will materi-
ally aid in destroying l ocal markets.
Close proximity to markets is Of
vital Importance and advantage. Lo-
cal merchants now buy and exchange
country produce-the farmer will then
have to market his produce direct. De-
stroy the home source Of supply, and
distance will lose its enchantment."
Where is the crying need? What
great relief will it bring the people at
large? Who is foremost in advocating
the extension of parcels post? 1t Is
advocated and sentiment created by
certain business interests who are to
be benefited especially to the detri-
ment of a much larger number. Pub
lie demand may be aroused by a very
few making a loud noise-but such
demand is not always based on neces-
sity.
Comparisons r not always appli-
cable. Comparisons between foreign
countries and ours cannot be consist
emily made, SO long as other very ma
terial conditions are unequal, such as
Government ownership, rigid regu-
lation, distance, high VS.. starvation
wages, etc. 1t is a crying demand to
get away from excessive charges, then
have congress exercise its; authority
and regulate them.
"Concentration and Capitalization of
the retail interests into a few mon
ster concerns are made net only pos
sible but very probable by enlarged
parcels post. The development Of abb
normally large Industries and cities
is a menace to the best interests of our
government and creates 8. condition
which is particularly detrimental to
the poorer classes.
ut is obvious that enactments .cal-
culated to benefit the greatest num-
her Of people will be Der Gifted by q
reduced parcels post. it must natural
ly follow that they receive merchant
disc shipments by mail. This is not
now done by the masses, but 1t is evil
dent that such legislation IS calculated
to have them do so. and induce the In
dividuai consumer to make his pur-
chases from other points which are
not his logical channel. The mer-
chant receiving his shipments in larg-
er quantities than parcels post pro-
vides for, it therefore follows that in
~terests which are seeking to draw
trade from local channels will be
specially benefited.
referring to postmaster generals
New England speech, he says the re-
taller can become an agent and carry
smaller stocks. Well that may be
true, natural results would compel him
to swap his vocation as a merchant.
that of a mere order taker. What
then would be the condition of a city
or town. with largely reduced stocks,
and business done mainly by sample?
will he, frequent delay in sup
customers. Reduced stocks
will also mean reduced taxation, thus
injuring the home town.
zone criticism now made against
the dealer in small towns. is lack OF
variety. When a dealer is forced to
the position OF order taller, carrying
stocks. ground for criticism
will be all the stronger, and the pat
ron will eventually come to the con-
he can order direct as Well as
thru the dealer.
"Retailing as a science must under
such conditions become extinct. The
history of all large concerns has been
many smaller one ere wiped out
and others seriously ir jured. Our
government today Is exerting its power
Fly ..sEsA- ft& "a. GNt -