The Washington times., 1907-01-28
Commission Has Drastic and
Far Reaching Report for
Congress.
Entire Postal System, it De-
clareS, Needs to Be
OVerhauled.
Hits Hard at the Second
Class Mail Matter
Regulations.

Drastic and faF-reaching changes in
the postal laws. sgith especial reference
to second class mail matter, are recon-
mended In the report Of the Joint Pos
tai Commission. which was authorized
to investigate the second eIass mail
question last session.
II the commissions plans are carried
out, Il Will mean little less than a gen
eral oyerhauling Of the postal service
OF the country. 4 vast extension OF
Federal power Is cOmpTehended.
Important changes Ia the law appllea-
bic 70 the carrying OF newspapers are
proposed. Publications consisting Who'll
~ or substantially Of fction, Il is rec
commended. shah be refused the second
class rate. The creation OF a Postal
Appeals Commission OF three members.
20 have the power OF anal decision as
to admission Of publications 10 second
class mail rates, IS proposed
New Weighing Urged.
A new weighing Of mails and a gen
eral overhauling of the whole business
system Of the Postonice Department
and the postal service Is urged. An in
crease in the second class POSTAGE rate
is advocated. A bill has been drafted
embodying the reforms proposed by the
commission.
While not specifically saying so, the
report OF the commission, II carried
/ into effect. would tend 20 bar comic
I supplements Of newspapers from the
benefits OF the secOnG class rates.
Printed matter IL divided by the COM
mission into two classes. that which Is
sent by single copy and that sent IN
I bulk. Where a newspaper or other pub
licati0n is forwarded ia bulk, the pack
age Weighing not less than ten pounds,
the present rate Of ] cent a pound is
recommended. Where a single copy OF
newspaper or other publication is put
IN the mails the commission favors a
charge Of an eighth Of a cent an ounce
where such single copy does not exceed
tWo ounces in weight; fourth OF a cent
where the package does not exceed four
ouuCeEs three-quaTteTs Of a cent where
81 does not exceed eight ounces; IA
cents where IL does not exceed twelve
ounces, ia cents where IL does not eX-
coed sixteen ounces. The charge Is in
creased pTOpOruOuatelv on single copies
with the Increase in weight.
Cut Railway Mail Pay.
as 10 railway mail pay, the commits
sion urges a progressive reduction OF
compensation. cutting the amount paid
on this account about 100000 a year.
Elimination ff0m the weight paid on
empty mail bags returned TO centers OF
mail production Is advocated.
The commission proposes important
changes IN the standards Of cIassifcs-
ti5n Of periodicals. a periodical or pub
location that obtains the second class
rate must convey current public infor-
nation.
one OF the most radical proposals Is
Lnat a publication entered as second
class mail matter must not contain ad-
fTruSements covering over 70 per cent
o. It's superficial area
All sections of a publication entered
second class, must be OF the same size
form and weight OF paper. forming one
complete and identi1able whole Adver-
tisements IN supplements would be pro-
hibited and "A Limitation Is prescribed
that supplements must be really sun
Elemental. The present sample copy
privilege Is cut 10 10 per cent OF an Is
sue
Rebates, gifts. and premiums. whether
OF printed matter or merchandise. il Is
recommended, shall be abolished.
Publish Subscription Rates.
The following provision respecting
subscription rates is advocated:
Each copy OF every publication ad-
mitted 10 the second class shall have
printed cOnspicuously in the usual place
for such notices a statement OF its reg
uiar subscription price by the year,
quarter. month. or week. as the case
may be. both for single subscriptions
for such periods and for subscriptions
taken by clubbing arrangements or 9th
erwise for two or more subscriptions.
The f1ll subscription price. according
70 the statement thus printed. shall be
charged in all cases without reduction
by rebate, premium, gift or otherwise a.
Probably the postal appeals commits
sion proposition win excite as much
comment as any OF the recommendation
made. II proposes commission OF
three members with broad and compre-
hensiVe powers. One is to be a Tuh
Usher, each is TO receive 1000 a wear.
and the commission Is to have fDei
jurisdiction over the suspension or an
nulment or revocation OF the second
class privilege Of any publication. De
cisions OF the commits iiOn. however can
De reversed by the courts but until SO