The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1907-08-29
FAVORS PARCEL POST.
Postmaster General Meyer An
nounces He Will Recommend
Plan to Congress.

Postmaster General Meyer, after see
ing the president at Oyster Bay We'd
nesday, spent yesterday in this city.
says a dispatch from Washington. In
the presidents room at the postofice
in the afternoon he discussed the parcels
post and other issues, saying:
II am going to recommend to congress
in my annual report the establishment
of "a domestic parcels post service
limited to ten pounds, or any other
weight that congress will accept.
III am also considering the feasibility
of recommending the establishment of
some sort of postal savings bank. We
find that today some people are buying
! postal orders payable to themselves as
means of saving their money. This
shows that there is room and need for a
postal savings bank which will give the
people chance to deposit their savings.
81 will not advocate an increase of
pay for postal rates on any class of
mail matter.
II am considering plan for the re-
duction of postal rates between the
United States and such countries as we
have direct steamship communication
with-England, France, Germany-from
3 cents per half ounce to cents. To
make reduction will not require legis-
lation, but joint action by the postal
authorities of the interested countries.
We now carry letters from the Atlantic
to the Pacific for 2 cents, and from any
part of the United States to our island
possessions for cents. | think the
rate between the United States and
England and similar countries should be
no higher.
I'VE are also going to experiment with
view to introducing postage stamp
slot machines generally. have been
told that a, machine can be made from
which 5 cent, 2 cent and 1 cent stamps
may be bought. This would be great
convenience to the public. l will ex-
pertinent first in Washington and then if
it is a success it will be introduced
generally. very large plant for
the manufacture of the machines would
have to be established.
I'll also have in mind virtually the re-
vival Of the old postal notes, but pay
able to specified individuals by name.
The amount will be limited either to
$3.50 or So.
time the establishment of new deliv-
| VI VI IlcIl1 az y " ClOCh dU LII
~ populated residence districts.
There is a very large accumulation of
mail here between 6 and s in the even
ing to be delivered on the first morning
delivery that contemplate the late
night delivery. If the new plan is
introduced it will be possible to write a
letter and get an answer the same day.
Two-hundred and twenty-six new carri-
ers would be required. Before taking
final action commission will go over
the plan and report the actual cost.
~ am planning to establish sea post
offices on the Cunard and French steam
ship lines, such as we have on all the
other steamship lines. The French
line has stood out for a large price, and
as we could not pay one line more than
another, we have made no arrangements
with it. We have to readjust our ar
rangements with the German line soon,
and may then be able to come to an
agreement with the French line.
There is word l want to say about
the rural free delivery. 1t has been
criticized because of the big cost. 1t is
costly, but it is proving to be a great
feeder to the general postal system. In
1896, the year it was established, it cost
only S15,OOO,O00. That year the general
postof1ice deficit was SS,O0O,000.
"Last year the rural free d livery
cost S25,O00,000 yet the general post
office deficit was only S10,000,000.
This year the rural service will cost
S35,0O0,0O0, and the report for the first
quarter of the year shows no deficit
whatever. l will not have the report
for the second quarter for Jwo months
yet, but the deficit is being greatly cut
down."