The Washington herald., 1908-07-08
CHEAPER FOREIGN POSTAGE
By FREDERIC ]. HASKIN.

rates according TO distances, but rates for
the same distance varied in different sec
tions of the country. In the thinly set
tied districts the rates were highest. In
1917 the letter postage was reduced 10
121z cents 10 Havana. and 20 cents to
Panama, Astoria. or any other place on
the Pacific Coast. all Of which now en-
Joy a 2-ccnt rate About that time the
construction Of railroads and the general
use Of government postage stamps then
comparatively an innovation, increased
the number Of pieces Of mail matter han
died 10 100000 a year. and the gross
revenue 70 nearly S4.O0OOOO.
The first law that established a uniform
domestic rate on letters. regardless Of the
distance carried, was passed in 1862, when
the rate was made 3 cents per half
ounce This was reduced 20 2 cents In
1888 and the weight limit increased 20
one ounce. as at present two years later
The postal business kept increasing all
the time. the receipts aggregating 81. 49,
100 in 1853. and A5. 50S.67S in 1853. After
that there was a falling of for a couple
OF years, but when the ounce minimum
had been established. the receipts in
creased. and during the past twenty-five
years they have quadrupied-
While the domestic postal service was
being improved and the cost to the pub
lie cheapened by legislative enactment
the foreign service has been perfected
and lessened IN cost largely by executive
action. The new British rate viii be the
result Of an amendment TO the postal con-
vention between the two countries, agreed
~.
eral and ratified by the President
Until 1863 there were probably even mora
different foreign postage rates than do
nestle There were not only different
ra,es 10 various countries. but the rates
70 the same countries varied according
20 the ship carrying the mails and the
routes travelled. There were two rates
each 10 Canada and Mexico, and several
| rates 10 most other countries. A letter
might be sent 10 Australia by any one
! OF half dozen routes al cost varying
/ from 5 cents TO Sl.02. The latter was the
highest rate on foreign mail prevailing
/ in the eos, when somebody suggested
that the exchange Of mails between the
various countries ought TO be simphned
An Informal conference was held al Paris
in 1853 al which John A Kasson repre-
sented this government From this meet
ing grew the International Postal Union.
/ which has held six worlds congresses
since then. the last being at Rome in
1896. The first was held at Berne, swift
erland in 1874, and represented countries
inhabited by $4,000 900 people. Now every
established government on the globe be-
longs TO the postal union. except Afghan
istan and China. and the latter adheres
20 the principles and regulations OF the
union. so far as her limited postal or
ganization permits
The United States reduced her postage
rate on foreign mail 10 cents per halt
ounce in 1854. applying 20 all countries
That rate applies TO some countries now.
but this government will probably be
willing 10 reduce II 70 . cents per ounce.
or even cents an ounce In return Tor
reciprocal concessions from other coun-
tries which want the benefit OF our low
rates This government is encouraged q
do this by the fact that there is normal
I increase in the weight Of international
mails handled by us OF s or 10 per cent
and a corresponding Increase in the reve-
nue. derived from the foreign service.
, Copyright. 1913. BY Freieric J. Haskinl
IT, ,,,C--o-- The Naxu Third PARTY