The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-12-14
AT THE CAPITAL.
Parcels Post Legislation En-
crossing. Much Attention.
Senator Long Inclined to OPP
pose Measure.
PEOPLEDON'T WANTIT
His Investigation COnvinces
Him of That Fact.
Talk of Lease on the First
Territorial Capitol.
PEOPLEDON'T WANTI1

Washington, Dec. 14-The question of
possible parcels-post legislation, based
on the urgent recommendation of the
postmaster general, and a reference by
the president in his annual message, is
stirring Kansans in congress as well as
others. Several bills proposing the
parcels-post have been introduced, and
various schemes for putting the leg1s-
lation into operation are contemplated.
Kansans have opposed as we'll as
favored this legislation. Representative
Anthony favors it, and SO does Repre-
sentative Murdoch, who is a member of
the house committee on postofficeS and
postroads. Other Kansas members
look with favor on this proposed legis-
lation.
Senator Long, wherever he went dur
ing his trips over the state last sum-
mer and fall, in informal meetings,
and open sessions of commercial bodies
held frequently and attended and ad-
dressed by him. referred to the demand
for and the opposition to, parcels-post
legislation. He stated very frankly that
his inclination had been to oppose this
legislation, on the ground that it was
detrimental to the local merchants In
small communities. However, he said
he had had earnest pleas for the legis-
lation presented to him; and he sought
to gain expressions that would help to
guide him in making UP his mind what
course he should take. With very few
expressions
were in opposition to the parcels post.
The argument in favor of parcels-post
which Representative Anthony took to
the postmaster general recently, being
that express companies in Chicago
were secretly making low rates on mer-
chandise to citizens of small Kansas
communities, meeting the postal rates
thereby, is now being considered by
that official, and Mr.. Anthony is also
thinking of laying it before the inter-
state commerce commission.
The Hutchinson Commercial club is
opposed to the parcels-post, and has
sent a communication with accompany
ing resolution to Senator Long, which
ne has presented to the senate and had
referred to the committee on postoffices
and postroads. The club states, through
its secretary, L. A. Beebe, that the
for his proposed measure, had written
a letter to the organization, which had
been read at the regular meeting and
thoroughly argued. The secretary then
states in his communication to Senator
Long,:
THE prevailing sentiment was that
while the proposed parcels-post apply
ing at low rate to head postoffices of
rural routes would be a good thing, Il
not later made to apply generally, it
was feared that if enacted 1t would
prove ultimately the entering wedge
which would place the retail merchants
in the west at the mercy of the mail
order houses in the large cities.'
Then follows the resolution, which
reads:
Resolved, That it is the sense of this
club that We are opposed to any kind of
q parcels-post law"
In a communication Kansas members
of congress have received from a Kan
sas correspondent comes one note OF
satisfaction out of all the opposition to
the conclusion to leave the words, I'm
God we trust off of treasury coins in
future mintage This man requests
that the president be upheld in his
stand on this momentous question. He