The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-01-28

indivtdunl pieces of third, fourth and
fccond-class matter according to us
natural subdivision. IN ouch manner rs
10 show not merely the weight of n piece
of such matter but tho average weight
of the Individual pieces according to the
classification In respect Of character and
method OF the handling; the asccrtainment
of the average haul of ell classes of mail
matter under each subdivision OF those
classes; md the nsccrtainment of the
average load of railway post-ofIice cnrs,
IA well ms the average load of storage
cars. Continuing. the report says:
Postmaster in Accord.
''rhis commission Is in accordance with
the views of the Observation-Disclosures that
the whole business system of the postal
service should be examined and over
statisticians, to be secured from the
ranks of those professions outside the
department 1t is believed that this ex-
animation can best be made through the
agency of Congress
The commission realizes that this Is
n task of great magnitude but 1t must
not be forgotten that great interests are
ut stake. 1t involves. first OF all, the
expenditure every year of $4,000. 900 of
the peoples money. 1t will shortly In
Vove even more than that, for at the
rate at which the postal service Is grow
ing 1t will not he many years before the
annual expenditure is s250000. 900. or even
$500. 900 900"
The commission recommends "the
scheme OF progressive reduction of
compensation for mail carried in excess
oil 1000 pounds per day" 1t leaves I'M
touched the present rate of $1T1 for
the daily average weight of 5000
pounds, for the season that we do not
believe that density of that degree only
&c FIJI.
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 possible and can
be increasingly utilized.
Progressive Reduction.
The scheme of reduction which we
recommend. is, therefore. progressive.
beginning with five per cent. reduc-
ton between 5000 pounds and $4,000
pounds and increasing to ten per cent
between $4,000 and 10000 pounds
end thereafter at the reduced
rate OF SIS per ton per mile per annum
carried instead of the present rate of
s2i.5T."
1t is estimated by the officials OF the
railway mail service that the total de-
crease in compensation effected by the
reduction above recommended Will be-
for the first year doos), Approximately 49,
0sOcoJ
Four Defects.
Tho commission points out that thore
are four cardinal defects in the present
system of charges for second-class mat
Ter. as follows:
The difference between the second
class rate and the next higher rate the
third-class rate. is too great. In other
words. the second-class rate is relatively
too low.
WHOLLY dsstmilar services are per-
formed for the same rate.
substantially similar services are
charged different rates. The second class
rate is probably too low. absolutely speak
ing"
Concerning the first defect, the com
mission says:
The nero fact that the next higher
rate-that for printed matter-is 500 per
cent. greater than the periodical rate
creates an almost irresistible temptation
TO give all printed matter the periodical
form. Immense quantities of printed
matter are put up In periodical form, not
because that form is either essential or
proper to 1t. but for the bald purpose OF
accomplishing its distribution at the |
cent-a-pound rate.
Raise Rate.
1T is then pointed out that this ah-
side of the United States and Canada
As a remedy for the disparity between
the receipts and the cost in connection
with the transportation of mall, the com
mission suggests that the practice no
longer continue of charging on a losing
basis the same rate for wholly dlssmi- /
lar services; in other words. 1t says TO
classify the rates according to the SER |
vice
ta1 hat
the increment of postage for the mere
Slent of weight above the first four ounces |
should be one-half cent for each add.
tianal four ounces.
The commission holds with regard to !,
fiction matter that the classification which |
puts a complete novel In one class and |
a novel published serialy In another class |
Is false classification altogether With |
regard to newspapers, the commission
maintains that the prime defect in
the statute defining what constitutes a |
newspaper is that the purpose described |
is so broad as to include everything and |
exclude nothing. .l.'With.t the exception of
few instanc@s."-"it says, where the |
publication has been excluded because the |
information was deemed not to be public, |
no periodical has ever been classified by |
the application OF tests of this kind.
Any attempt to apply them general
~ would simply end in press censor
ship"
While admitting that It's recon-
mendations do not afford complete
and final solution of the problem the
commission is of the opinion that the
changes recommended Will accomplish
everything that has been claimed for
them; that they are exceedingly con-
servative and may be put into opera
ton without disturbing to any con-
siderable degree tho important in
terests concerned.