The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1908-10-07

Ing on the ISL DAY or october, 1908, |
the postage rate applicable to letters
mailed in United States, addressed for
delivery at any place in the United
Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland,
shall be two (2) cents an ounce or frac-
ton of an ounce
Letters unpaid or short paid shall be
dispatched to destination, but double
the deficient postage, calculated at said
rate, shall be collectible of the adj
dresses upon the delivery of the un-
paid or short paid letters.
G. v. L. MEYER,
Postmaster General.
Behind this simple statement is a
vast amount of Republican construc-
tive legislation which resulted in the
significant accomplishment, set forth
by the Postmaster General. 1t is elo-
quently prophetic of a worldwide pen
ny postage, for which the credit will be
due to Republican administration.
Sixth Universal Postal Congress.
The Sixth Universal Postal Congress
April and continued until May %,
1906 Sixty-five countries, including the
United States, were represented. The
assembly was for the purpose of dis
cussing the postal systems of all nations
and, if possible, agreeing upon measures
for the Improvement in all practical
ways, of the regulations governing in
ternational intercourse through the
mails. The first congress of this kind
met in Berne, Switzerland, in 1874.
The United States Postoffice Depart
ment was represented in this World
Postal Congress by two delegates-the
Superintendent of Division of Foreign
/ Mails, as in previous postal congresses,
and the Hon. Edward Rosewater of the
| Omaha Bee, who had also served in the
/ preceding postal congress.
Move for Universal Penny Postage.
At this Universal Postal Congress
representatives of the United States
proposed "a universal two-cent postage
to all nations. The Hon. ]. Henniker
! L
two-cent idea in England, speaking Of
! Americas action at the Rome conven-
ton, in stauding out for universal
/ two-cent postal rate. said:
1.-THE British members stood co1diy
by. They did not recognize that this
was a great historic occasion, a worthy
| parallel of that solemn scene on July
/ 4, 1776, when the Declaration of hide
| pendence was adopted; for if the
! Americans are willing to adopt a penny
1 postage to all parts of the world, it fol
lows that they are willing to establish
it to the British Empire and form witt
] us a Restrictive Postal Union
The Hon. Whitelaw Reid. America
| Republican minister to the Court Of ST
! James, praised the work of the Ameri
can delegation and solicited the frienil =
| cooperation of the British government
at Fourth of July banquet speech IL
London in 1906. Mr. Reid said:
"The American people hoped fol
closer and cheaper communications
| with all other nations as the best means
of promoting better acquaintance and
perpetuating friendship. They were
gratified to find that the British apostle
OF penny postage Mr.. Heaton) at this
moment focusing his efforts on what
ought to be the easy task of persua1
ing the authorities on both sides Of the
Atlantic, that it was as cheap to carry
letter from London to New York as
from London to Calcutta or from NeR
York to Manf1a-and quite as useful"
American Republicans Lead the Way
SO it has come to pass that the Unit
ed States, under its Republican admin
istration, has finally succeeded in en-
tering into a convention with Great
Britain whereby after the LIST of Octo
Der this year, two-cent postage rate
will obtain between this country anG
England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales
We already have such an arrangement
with Canada, Mexico, Cuba, Panama
and our colonial possessions. This grea1
accomplishment is universally recog
nized as the proper beginning which is
to result In universal two-cent postage
rate around the world
Important Things Accomplished.
Two other important things that thu
Republican administration accomplish
ed at the Rome Universal Postal Con
gress through its representatives, mus
not be lost sight Of. One was the adop
ton of a universal return coupon
stamp, In exchange for which, upon it.
presentation at a pestoffice In another
country, the person presenting 1t shall
receive postage stamp of the value O.
8 cents, good in any country of tht
world, thus enabling people here tt
prepay postage at regular rates upol
reply letters.
The other significant concession wa
that In all World Postal Congresses Il
be held in the future. the United State.
is to be granted an additional vote, Il