The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1908-10-11

hnguom OF GreaI brltdih ana lIeidtiu,
shall be two l2l cents an ounce or frac-
tion or 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 ad-'
dressecs upon the delivery OF the I'M
paid or short paid letters
G. v. L. MEYERs
, Postmaster General.
Behind this simple statement is q
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 viii be
due to Republican administration.
sixth Universal Postal Congress.
The Sixth Universal Postal Congress
convened In the city Of Rome, Italy,
April 4 and continued until May 20,
1905. Sixty-fve countries, including the
United States, were represented. The
assembly was for the purpose Of dis
cussing tile postal systems ct an nations
and, il 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 Postofice 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. e
Move for UniverSaI Penny Postage.
At this Universal Postal Congress
representatives OF the United States
proposed a universal two-cent postage
to all nations. The Hon. J. Henniker
Heaton, M. r. who is the father Of the
two-cent idea in England, speaking Of
Americas action at the Rome conven-
ton, In standing out for a universal
two-cent postal rate, said:
''The British members stood coldly
by. They did not recognize that this
was great historic occasion, a worthy
parallel Of that solemn scene on July
a. 1778, when the Declaration OF Inde-
pendence was adopted; for If the
Americans are willing to adopt penny
postage to all parts OF the world, 1t fol-
lows that they are willing to establish
1t to the British Empire and form with
us Restrictive Postal Union. :"
The Hon. Whftelaw Reid, Americas
Republican minister to the Court of st.
James, praised the work Of the Ameri-
can delegation and solicited the friendly
cooperation Of the British government
at a Fourth Of July banquet speech in
London in 1906. Mr.. Reid said:
'"The American people hoped for
closer and cheaper communications
with all other nations as the best means
OF promoting better acquaintance and
perpetuating friendship They we're
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 persuad-
ing the authorities on both sides of the
Atlantic, that It was as cheap to carry
a letter from London to New York as
from London to Calcutta /; or from New
York TO Manila and quite "a useful"
American Republicans Lead the way
So 1t has come to pass that the Unit
ed States, under It's Republican admin
istration, has finally succeeded In en-
tering into a convention with Great
Britain whereby after the 1st Of octo-
ber this year, a tYo-cent postage rate
will obtain between this country and
England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
We already have such an arrangement
with Canada, Mexico Cuba, Panama
and our colonial possessions. This great
accomplishment is universally recog-
nized as the proper beginning which is
to result in a universal two-cent postage
rate around the world.
Important Things Accomplished
Two other important things that the
Republican administration accomplish
ed at the Rome Universal PoStal Con
gress through its representatives, must
not be lost sight Of. One was the adop-
tion Of a universal return coupon
stamp, In exchange for which, upon It's
presentation at postoffics in another
country, the person presenting It shall
receive a postage stamp Of the value Of
5 cents, good in any coustry Of the
world, thus enabling people here to
prepay postage at regular rates uDon
reply letters.
The other significant concession was
that Ii all World Postal Congresses to
taA ~ 49, ~ 80. \ rsa.l 4