The Montgomery tribune., 1907-11-15

Therefore the small accounts re-
feryed 10 would flow into the pos
tai savings banks, would be led
back iato the channels of trade by
being deposited into the national
banks In those communities, to
the great advantage of labor and
industry.
The second matter of general
interest will be the extension of
our parcel post. 1 use the word
extension advisedly. Parcel
post has existed in this country
for nearly q century; and up to
1862 the weight limit was 8 pounds,
at which time ii was increased to
a pounds. Consequently the de-
partment can hardly be credited
with endeavoring to establish a
parcels post. We have today
parcel post conventions with thir-
ty-two foreign countries. The
rate to each of these countries is
IL cents. What I wish Ito call
vividly to your attention is the
fact that If anyone In Chicago
goes to the postoffioe with two
parcels of four pounds each, on e
addressed to New York and the
other addressed to some friend in
a foreign country the rate will be
Is cents q pound or "a cents on
the one addressed to New York,
while on the one addressed to a
foreign country the rate willsbe
IL cents a pound or AZ cents.
Should the parcels weigh pounds
and two ounces each, the parcel
addressed to New York would not
be accepted while that addressed
to foreigner in another country
would go to New York and on to
it's destination at the rate of IL
cents per pound. This appears to
be an injustice to our people-in
fact an un-Americans practice.
Therefore, the department will
recommend the same rate and the
same limit of weight for parcels,
whether intended for delivery in
this country or abroad, which
means a reduction in the rate of
A cents q pound and an increase
in weight Of. seven pounds, IL
pounds being the weight limit to
foreign countries. This is only
equitable.
The proposed reduction of 4
cents a pound will probably re-
suit In a decrease in the rates of
express companies to many points,
but that can hardly be called Q
disadvantage to the people nor
can postage at IL cents q pound
instead of 18i cents be deemed
! radical in q way of domestic
rate for the reason that such a
rate has been established alread y
to thirty-two foreign countrie s.
1 might add further that a genera
! merchandise rate of IL cents q
pound would produce a revenue OF
S240. a ton and profit of S2790.
can disarm the criticism of the
retail merchant or storekeeper by
the fact that 1 shall recommend q
special rate to be charged or
packages originating on ruraI
route for delivery to patrons or
the same route, the rate to be
cents for the first pound and {
cents for each additional poun q
up to II pounds. This will be {
great boon to farmers and Others
l on rural routes, because withou
> Inconvenience to themselves they
. will be able to order their house
hold necessities by telephone o
, postal card. Accordingly 1t will
t facilitate consumption and in
, crease the business of the eountr,
{ merchant and increased trade TO
I the country from whom he pur
n chases his supplies-the whole
:. sale merchants.
el l believe the proposition G
It savings banks has every prospee {
O of receiving recognition at th
hands of Congress, this year. o
v the question of parcel post, q
7 laid oui, I feel equally encourage
from the fact that many of tn
- retail merchants' associatio n
;. have indorsed the plan, and al 6
!. because 1t is receiving the sur