The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-09-17
ONE MORE RAISE.
will Soon Cost Ten Cents tC
Register Mail.
Increase of Two Cents to Take
Effect November 1.

| For a long time the postal service
in the United States mail service has
| been conducted at a loss and the first
move to make it self sustaining will
approach Topeka about November l.
This first move will be to raise the
registry fee from eight cents to ten
cents-a raise of two cents over the
old rate
The local officials at the federal
building have not received official in
formation as to the date and exact
rule of this move but it is expected by
them at any time-as a result of a
general order issued by Postmaster
General Hitchcock a few days ago. 1t
is fully expected that the change will
take place the first of November and
the proper alterations will be made
at the local office for the purpose of
meeting the change of these rates.
The government is going to charge
person ten cents to register a piece
of mail-a gain of two cents-but on
the other hand Uncle Sam will make
an additional guarantee of $25 and
this will help smooth over the result.
The order increases the maximum
or rified registered letter from $25 to
$50 thus doubling the departments
liability for valuable articles in
trusted to its registry branch.
granted at much lower rate than is
offered for q similar amount by any
private concern. This is a good in
vestment when taken from that
standpoint and although 1t viii come
only once in a life time it repays the
postoffice patron for his larger ex-
pense in risk.
When asked about the order this
morning Postmaster A. K. Rodgers
would say nothing. When asked II
faIr
of November he said he did not know
as the local office had received no
such orders. But it is widely known
that the effect will take place and
within the next two months.
There are several other changes
that will take place in very short
time. The registry system is run
ming at a big loss and the govern
ment is making some radical plans
for a remedy. This increase in price
of the registry fees is No 1. Next In
order will probably be the establish
ment of a postal parcel registration
system with a five cent fee and a
small idemnity and also a preferred
value with increase in the fee and
idemnfty UP to twenty cents and
$3.50 These are the limits fixed by
law and they can't go higher.
1t is pointed out that the parceI
measure will meet a public demand for
q cheap ard safe means of transmitting
Christmas packages and others of this
character and that the graduating OF
the fee is accordance with the risk In
volved and the amount of care neces-
sary to insure safe transmission is in
accord with sound business principles
they have it figured out that the gov
sr1rnent should go on the business basis
IS well as the private concerns ana
here has been considerable idemnity
With very little to make up for 1t on
he part of the government.
The holidays are coming and this Zee
Hfll be in 4ust in time to effect the holi-
law rush with the postoff1ce. The local
oostoffice has prospered wnderfully
;ncer the postmastership of A. K !
but with a raise In fees In
he registry departr de- |
cartrnent has made some marvellous /
records in Topeka-tnere is still
chance for this office becoming one of
The leaders in the country.