The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1909-02-19
Parcels POS. Marks Tire

Parcels Post Marks Time
Sioux City Journal: Curiosity is
frequently expressed that the parcels
post proposition. although much
argument is fled In favor Of IL does
not make any progress What is the
explanation
IN the old days. when the discus
sion was Young. II used 10 be explain
ed that the parcels pots never gained
a peg. because Senator Platt and
other good friends OF the express COM
panies we're sitting on the lid Nova /
DAYS this explanation Is outlaEed. A
better one has taken rs place The
present explanation Is that the couR-
try merchants are pulling against me
parcels post pulling so strongly thaS
congress is leaning in their direction
TIE explanation is undoubtedly cor
rect The merchants In the little
towns are frankly opposed 70 the Dill
They admit they oppose il because
they think il would help 10 build up
the mail order trade of the merchants
IN the large cities The country ner-
chants have organizations devoted
mainly TO fighting the mail order
houses and the parcels post They
are effective in subduing any natural
enthusiasm congress might entertain
for the parcels post principle
How long viii the status QUO contin-
pressure is exered OF congress 10 en-
uee II VIII continue until greater
act TIE measure than can b. eSerted
TO kill II Congress present attitude
OF inaction IS quite logical TIE con-
gressmen have in their possession 2 lot
Of petitions. resolutions and the ike
bearing on this subject Going over
the data the practical congressman
can count the noses Of the active enc
mics he viii make If he boosts the
parcels post. They greatly outnuH-
her as disclosed By the record. the
number of 2ctive enemies that viii be
manufactured b. letting the subject
alone. No congressman should be
blamed for trying to follow the wishes
OF his constituents as they have been
expressed to him II involves good
sense as wei as good politics
President Roosevelt, IN his country
life message. mentioned the parcels
post as an important factor in adding
j to the attractions of farm HE If the
, farmers feel that way about It. and
are sufficiently interested to get busy
| they can have parcels post I'LL pass
: ed at the long session OF the new
: congress. a little organization among
: the farmers, and food of petitions
: such as the country merchants have
: bean sending in. would easily chang
f the logic of the situation The farm
4 ers outnumber the country merchants
I Overwhelmingly If the farmers are
: going TO get mad because congress:
: fails TO pass a parcels post measure
then indeed will the congressman hnt
T himself in hot water. II 1t IS a cues
ton OF gaining the resentment Of eth
er the country merchants or the farm
ere. congress is going TO be the Dutcl
II uncle Of the farmers. They have tn
5 most votes Putting the issue on
broader plan. when the interests Q
two classes conflict the good of tn
e many should be conserved. The farm
2 ers are the many.
VIII there be an uprising of II
farmers in favor Of the parcels post
If The record doesn't suggest any in
e mediate danger of one. The far
f. seems TO be that keen interest in n
proposition is confined almost who'll
10 the country merchants. who are OF
g posed to the plan Farmers rgani
a ations pass perfuncsory resolutions
g favor OF the parcels post once in
while but there Is little sign OF ear
est activity on that side OF the CO..
is troyersy. No farmers institute eve
g thinks Of calling a Congressman to a
IL count for not faForing the parce
post Considering all the argumen
offered IL favor Of the proposition.
20 seems TO have taken on very little z
Or gressiye strength as movemen
ne Political PARTIES feel free to ignore
an in their platforms. The parties IN
is put it N fail TO make any votes
reason Of IT, The discussion On tn
side seems 70 be purely academic.
ae There is little probability of Il
&c enactment of z parcels post Law Uni
"a the movement IN favor Of it takes I
he more practical form
IL
CHANGING School Laws.
Cedar RAPIDS Republican: In M
f. ,-.--eo =, -to eo-r.<T soEe II II