Omaha daily bee., 1907-01-28
POSTAL LAW REPORT
continue dom FIrst Page.l

counting combined Of the individual pieces
Of third, fourth and second-class matter,
according TO it's natural subdivision in
such matter as to show not merely the
average weight of piece OF such matter,
but the average weight OF the individual
pieces according to the classification in
respect to character and method OF
handling; the sscertainrnent OF the average
haul Of all classes Of matter under each
subdivision of those classes and the ascer-
tainment OF the average lead of railway
postoflce cars, as well as the average
load OF storage cars.
Continuing, the report says
This commission is in accord with the
views of the postmaster general that the
whole business system of the postal service
should be examined and overhauled by a
set of expert accountants and statisticians
secured from the ranks of those professions
outside the department. =.
II is believed this examination can pest
be made through the agency OF congress.
The commission realizes that this is task
OF great magnitude, but IT must not be
forgotten that great interests are at stake.
II involves, first of all, the expenditure
every year of $116, 100000 of the people $
money. 1t will shortly involve even more
than that for at the rate at which the
postal service Is growing 1t will not be
many years before the annual expenditure
Is 250,0O0000 or even 5000, 900. The object
of this inquiry is not temporary or pro-
gigantic organization known as the postal
service organized once for all on an
economic and administrative basis. 1t In
wolves even more than that. 1t involves
the way in which the burden of that ire
mendous service is to be adjusted be-
tween the various classes and elements OF
the immense public which makes use of 1t.
Reduction of Cost.
The commission recommends:
The scheme Of progressive reduction OF
compensation for mail carried in excess OF
5000 pounds day, which Is embodied In
the accompanying bill. The reduction be-
gins with weight in excess Of 500 pounds
1t leaves untouched the present rate of SD
for the daily average weight Of 5,o0O pounds
density of that degree permits sufficient
economies in the methods of transportation
! TO justify a lowered compensation Where
the daily weight, however, Is in excess OF
5000 pounds we think that the economies
above mentioned are now possible and car
be increasingly utilized. The scheme OF re
ductiOn which we recommend IN therefore
progressive, beginning with per cent re
duction between 500 pounds and LOO
pounds and increasing to 10 per cent be
after at the reduced rate OF SIS per ton pei
mile per annum carried instead OF the pres
eo5 "a BE- sseY qs sEen ~ tse SSI T
where the returns from the industry be
come practically constant. In other words
Increase in the mail handled simply meani
duplication Of traffic and the next 5000
pounds cannot be carried any more cheaply
than the first $4,000 pounds. 1t Is esti
mated by the officials of the railway mai
service that the total decrease in compen
satiop will be for the fiscal year 1905 ap
proximately S,000,000
Defects in Present Law.
The commission points out that there ar,
four cardinal defects in the present system
OF charges for second class matter. as fol
| lows
The difference between the second clas
! rate and the next higher rate, the thirC
class. Ii too great In other words, tn,
second class rate Is relatively too low
WHOLLY dissimilar services are performed
| for the same rate, Substantially simiia
services are charged different rates
Concerning the first defect the commission
| says:
The mere fact that the next higher rate
that for printed matter, is 500 per cen
| greater than the periodical rate, creates al
almost irresistible temptation 20 give al
printed matter the periodical form I'm
mense quantities OF printed matter are pu
up In periodical form for the bald purpos
OF accomplishing its distribution at tn
| cent-a-pound rate.
1t is pointed out that this abnormal dis
proportion does not exist outside OF tn
United States and Canada.