New-York tribune., 1907-01-29
REFORM IN oVERDOSES.

The Postal Commission, composed of three
Senators and three Representatives, which has
Just reported bill to redefine second class mall
matter and rearrange the rates 10 be charger
on such matter, has fallen into the common
error of OverdOsing an ailing patient II may
be frankly admitted that the government has
been imposed on by publishers Of periodicals
claiming the right to circulate their product at
second class rates. The legal definition OF the
term periodical" has been too vague and the
mails have been burdened with matter carried
at a minimum cost which has not met the re-
quirement of disseminating public information
IN the true sense. But in warning against the
abuse of the second class privilege the com
mission has gone in some respects too far. The
measure 1t has drawn might exclude from tho
benefits OF cheap postage many publications not
designed primarily TO assist in public instruc-
ton Yet at the same time il would impose un-
necessary and arbitrary burdens on legitimate
publications which have distinctly educational
function
We cannot understand. for instance. on what
ground the commission seeks TO prescribe that
"a newspaper or other periodical may be COM
posed Of parts or sections but all parts sec
'tlons shall be made OF tho same size, form
land weight of paper" Some argument might
he made for restricting deviatiOns in size and
form prescribing maximum weight for the
paper Ussi. TO prevent the circulation at
second class rates OF material approaching card
hoard n thickness. But To insist on an exact
and uniform size and weight is TO ignore the
conditions under which newspapers are now
produced-condltiOns which have been imposed
by changes in public taste and habits. A
slightly heavier paper is highly desirable for
Illustrations and IL newspaper owners choose 10
go 10 an additional expense To insure smoother
and more finished illustrative work there is
justification for penalizing them for turning
out q higher class product. II Is equally diff
fcult 70 understand why parts OF uneven size
should be prohibited II such parts can readily
be folded together for mailing. These innova-
tons cannot operate TO any marked extent TO
the convenience of the POstoffice and they con
stttute distinct invasion OF the feld Of private
rights They seek TO regulate details Of a prl-
vate business which It would be far better to
leave 10 the good judgment OF the publisher
and his constituency
Another hardship is sought 10 be imposed on
newspaper publishers In the section which re-
Quires a daily, nightly sworn statement To
be fled at the Postofice showing the number
OF copies mailed to each class OF addresses. sub
scribers advertisers. agents and solicitors. 10
other newspapers as exchanges and TO pros
pective subscribers as samples This registra-
ton might have its In checking mushroom
enterprises but the same purpose would be
served as we'll II the department merely exer-
cised the right TO demand such statement at
any time within given sixty or ninety days
much the Controller of the Currency calls for
returns from the banks
We cite these provisions as instances I'm which
reforming zeal has OutT1m discretion. The com
mission says that its aim has been to 'get that
gigantic enterprise known as the POstoffice on
"A sound economic and administrative basis"
In particular IL has sought 10 strike new bal
ance between the cost of the second class mail
service and its public value a factor in edu
cation and progress. Many of the recommenda-
tions in the report iust submitted have merit
The establishment OF a permanent Postal Com
mission Of three members of them 10 be
a man who has had actual experience in the
conduct Of the publishing business and one of
them 10 be a lawyer would probably relieve
the situation. inasmuch as II would terminate
the too great responsibility OF interpreta ton and
administration now thrown on n single official
IN the POstoffice Department. But we dissent
entirely from the commissions proposal TO regu-
late the publishing business in even it's small
est minutisa. So long as the character of a
periodical publication is unchallenged and Its
issues be handled without causing undue
Inconvenience 10 the POstOffice Department II
is quite irrelevant whether or not its sections
are uniform in size or its illustrations printed
on little heavier and better quality of paper