Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1908-01-09
MEMBER OF ASSOCIATED PRESS

&SxfES =
SHOULD POSTAGE BE REDUCED
At the instance of the Postal Pro
gress League a bill will be introduced
in congress at an early date for the
consolidation of the first, third and
fourth classes of mail matter with a
common rate of one cent for each two
ounces or fraction thereof.
The idea represented in this bill will
constitute the principal point of the
leagues program for the coming year.
It is hardly to be expected that so
radical move will receive the sane
tion OF legislative enactment, but that
prospect does not deter the associa-
ton from furthering a reform the ac-
ceptance of which it considers to be
only question of time.
In a statement issued by the league
explaining this move, the reasonable
ness and feasibility Of the demands
are set forth, and its timeliness is en-
phasized. The prevailing depression
in business, according to the league,
must lead to an irresistible demand
for reasonable postal legislation that
will reduce business expenses and wild
en- business opportunities.
Cur domestic letter revenues for the
past year amounted to about $780,
nAA Am
cents per ounce to one cent for two
ounces would, therefore, according to
the league, save the public about $780,
100000 year in postage, and this
saving would grow as business in
creased. There might be slight re-
duetion in revenues for year or two,
but experience teaches that the postal
income would soon be larger than ev-
er. In the present case, moreover,
any possible reduction in the general
revenues would be fully met by the
increased rural income that would fol-
low the establishment of the cheap
rural post.
The first notable reduction in the
letter rates of this country occurred
in 1915, when the previously exorbi-
tant rates were reduced to five cents
per half ounce uD to 300 miles and
ten cents for greater distances. The
effect OF this reform on the revenue
was to bring about a temporary re-
duction, but by 1S4S the figures OF
1915 had been surpassed
In 1854 the rates were again reduced
ito cents per half ounce up to 5000
miles, and 6 cents for greater dis
tances. Again the revenue showed a
temporary slump, but by 1855 the pre-
vious figures were again surpassed.
The act of 1863, making the Scent
half-ounce rate of 1851 the uniform
rate for all distances was followed
by a steady increase of postal in
come. During the interval 1S83-1S85
the letter rates were reduced from 8
cents per half ounce to cents per
ounce, and the publishers and news
dealers rates on magazines and news
papers were cut from 1 to cents per
pound. Again, there was slight tenn
porary falling off in revenues from
$45,500,00O in 1883, but by 1887 it
had reached $4s,s0O,000, and by 1890,
$60,S00,00 In 1900 it was $102,000,-
900. The postal deficiency for 1888
was less than for any year during the
period from 1867 to 1879.
AS a result of the 33 IL percent re-
duction of the lettersrate in 1883, the
postal revenues fell off less than per.
cent in the two succeeding years, and
the 100 percent increase of the letter
unit-fron half ounce to an ounce
in 1885 was accompanied by an i'm
mediate increase in the revenues
which in 1887 were Z percent; in 1896
33 1-3 percent, and in 1900 100 percent
higher than in 1888, the year of the
letter rate reduction.
The rapid Increase in our popula
ton which contributed largely to thu
increased use of the mails, and TIL,
consequent increase of income tina
quickly followed, the reduced rates o
1845, 1851, and 1883 will prove a We
more potent factor in increasing ou
postal income under the proposed re
duction OF rates, for our population i
growing more rapidly today than eve
before. III the ratio of increase of tn,
last seven years continues, the growtl
OF our population during the decad
19O0-1910 will be over 1900, 900, o
SO 1-s percent more than in any pr5
vious decade. The immigration 0