Bluefield evening leader. [volume] (Bluefield, W. Va.) 1906-1911, 1907-11-26
Wis Demand
A Parcels Post


defending his constituents. che eX-
sIoo or congress. If the recommenja-
tioBs which are 30 be made by Post
master General Meyer receive the
favorable consideration OF the law
makers
1t is known that the head OF the
postal depart nent will so or record
Us favoring great extension OF the
parcels post system. Not only will
he osk that the systcn at present
established be largely increased in
scope and efficiency, but he will
recommend that the maximum rate
tor all parcels be reduced from 30
cents to t2 cents pound. and that
the weight limit bJ increased froM
rous TO eleven pounds. The use OF
GaSonB or automobiles for the de-
ls~ery o! parcels VII! be recommend
"a for all CITIES where the free de-
livery system has been established.
asa the repor, will recommend that
special parcels post system with
al extremely low charge for service
be established IN connection with
rural free delivery.
when John Wanamaker was post
master general he declared that there
were sis reasons why a parcels post
could not be established in this
country. and named tho six leading
express comran!-s az the reasons.
This opposition has not. by any
means. abatri. aad II 10 known that
the big express companies are al
ready making plans 70 defeat any at
tempt al the cStp bllshment OF par
o.is pest system. In these efforts
they have tho assistance not only OF
tAeir stock holders. who have reapec
big rewa lS,s from their holdings. anc
their hired men in the house and the
senate, but also OF many thousands
or merchants in the smaller towns
and villa gee throughout the country
4 press bureau has been established
by the express companies which il
emss ged IN sending out cleverly
worded articles for publication il
pouBtry newspapers, appealing to
merchants TO protest against the
"tn1Quitous attempt" of the big mai
order houses to ruin their business
All of this. OF course. is very dis
Interested. despite the fact that tho
Ioen who prepare this literature
are exceptionally able newspapc'
men. who receive large salaries from
The e1press companies.
That the fears expressed by the
COUNTRY merchants are without foun-
dation. ond that the parcels post
would be OF great benefit to country
perchapts and their patrons. is the
uaauaiIfed assertion OF POSTMASTER
General Meyer. II the recommends
tions he will submit TO congress ar
adopted. rural carriers will be re
aulys dto carry parcels TO any poin;
an .beir route al rae OF . cent,
fpr the flrst pound and , cents for
each additional pound. or rs cent?
for . package weighing eleven
poupds. BY this means. the store
kenper in town or village can receive
orders by mail or telephone and dis
patch merchandise by the rural car
rieys. AS II will cost mail order
bouses IL cents a pound for mailing
.porcels. their competition will not
- much. If any. keener than now
and the home merchant who is pro-
sresstve and willing 10 soil goods a.
Q reasonable profit will be in posi-
6cs 30 greatly enlarge his trade b.
ludaps OF the rural routes. The
postmaster general ia confident that
DIS nroposal will meet with the ap-
yrovsi OF all country merchants
pnen 10 is fully understood, aud
that. instead OF opposing It. thsy viii
ask their Representatives in congress
10 secure the passage of such
oessuEe. Apparently the express
companies will he LETT 90 fight the
battle for themselves. a3I It remains
10 BE- seen whether the six reasons
pointed out BY Mr.. Wanamakcr con
ftrue 10 exercise the great influence
Gver congress that they once did.
Anoth~r vital problem which Post
mCsseY Geoetai Meyer will bring t.
tho 2Stention OF congress is that OF
q postal savings bank system. Re
belieTes shat such a system will mo-
dnterfere in any way with the pros
peritS of private savings banks, bu'
that 81 would bring 20 light much
hidden money nov boarded BY peO-
NE who have no confidence in the
baBks, a. we'll az encouraging habits
OF thrift among working people.
The report OF the postmaster gen
aral Will also recommend the re
sumption OF the Issuance OF postal
botes. 10 denominations of from 20
cts,s 20 $3.50. payable only 20 dcsis-
ba,ed parties A small fee vii bc
clcr.od 20 cover the expense Of or
efauou Of the system. but no al
pi,es will b. sent and the notes will
torn q cheap. safe and convenient
B,thod % srndlnc small mounts D.
Us1