Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1910-01-21
Second-CIass Mail.


postal deficit might be less has done
more to cause light to be shed upon
the relations between the post-oflice
DEPARTMENT and the transportation
com panies than any other thing which
has occurred in this country since
the organization of the post-oifice de-
pa,tment. 1t reveals that the trans
portation agents have an exceedingly
a5vsntageous contract which enables
them to take the cream of the busl-
ness and leave the rest to be cared
for as best it may. A perusal Of these
contracts would almost lead one to
believe that the post -office department
exists for the benefit of the transpor-
tation companies rather than for the
benefit of the people.
One of the greatest forces for up
lift in this country is the wide dstri-
button of printed matter, whether
monthly magazines, weekly maya
zines newspapers or other periodicals.
1t is impossible to say just how much
OF our national progress is traceahle
to this agency. Some years ago it
was deemed wise to provide an ex-
ceedingly low rate for the transpOrta-
ton and distribution OF printed mat
ter sent by mail. 1t is not necessary
t. go into the features of this con-
tract with the people to demonstrate
that this mas been advantageous to
the people 1t is admitted by every
one. l'ndcr il many publications have
been horn and have succeeded in cX-
listing where they would never hay"
been even contemplated under high
or postal rate. If there has been any
expense to the government on this
account; that is, if the amount pald
bv these publications has not COM
pensated the government in full for
any expense incurred in their distrl-
button, the government has turned to
the people as whole for the bal
ance. To that extent and in that way
only has there been subsidy on pub
locations in this country.
The next phase to be considered is
the expense the government incurs IN
distributing these publications. ii
there is a deficit and that deficit IS
due to contracts which are disad-
vantageous to the government, then
the deficit is not chargeable to the
publications, but is chargeable to that
contract, and if there is a subsidy to
anyone, the subsidy is not to the mag
azines but to the party receiving I'M
fair compensation for the amount OF
work done under that contract. 1t ap-
pears to us that second-class mail has
been charged with causing a deficit
which is in reality caused by an I'M
wise contract with the parties who
have undertaken the work of trans
portation So much for the considera-
ton of second-class mail matter in
itself and by itself.
1t is admitted that the wide distri-
button of second class mail matter
creates more mail than any other
agent Every magazine, every news
paper. almost every periodical of
every sort and description, devotes a
large part of it's space to advertising.
Obviously it is impossible for any APP
preciable proportion of any of the
readers of any of those periodicals or
newspapers to reply to these adver-
tisements by personal visits to the adj
vertiser. The number who can reply
inconsiderable. The vast majority
reply to them by mail. The large
pay for advertising in magazines, per-
iodicals and newspapers shows that
ments. They must receive millions of
replies in order to make it profitable |
to advertise as all up-to-date business
houses do advertise. As the majority
of advertisers are in legitimate bust
ness and, are selling something which
is in constant demand it cannot be
said that the effect of the advertise
ment upon the mail ceases with the
first purchase of each customer
Business created through advertising
rolls on and on as long as the adver-
Users conduct legitimate business,
AS efficient a public servant as third
assistant postmaster Lawshe said,
while the rate, considered alone, is
heavily losing one. second-class mat
for originates large volume of mail
matter of other classes" That might
have been amended so that it would
have fitted the situation a little bet
ter. so as to have read. Willie the
rate, considered alone. and under pres
ont contracts with the transportation