The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1910-12-19
Champions of the Movement
Think that Some Definite
Action Will Be Taken for
Establishment.
VIGOROUS CAMPAIGN
HAS BEEN STARTED
James L. Cowles Says if Pres
ent Congress Takes No Ac-
ton a Special Session Will
Be Asked for.
american News Service)

fNnefiCau Nc"S SerNlce)
Washington. Dec. ia parcels
post will be one OF the most important
subjects that the present congress viii,
have to deal with, and the champions
Of this movement feel confident that
some definite steps will be taken to-
ward the establishment Of this system
before congress adjourns next March.
The fact that both President Taft.
In his annual message, and Postmaster
General Hitchcock in his annual report
have recommended the rural parcels
post has greatly strengthened their
hopes, and they believe that If once
a system is established for the rural
districts. II will only be a short time
before Il IL made general.
James L. Cowles, founder and secre-
tary OF the Postal Progress League.
says that "a vigorous campaign will be
made this year in Washington to bring
about the enactment OF some parcels
post legislation.
Ask Special Session.
should we fail" ne continued. I'VE
shall urge the President to call spe-
cial session of the 62nd congress to
take up this matter.
Every effort is being made by the
members Of our league throughout the
country to bring about the election
Of senators pledged to a parcels post
system. We feel confident that n ma
jority OF the House members are in
favor of such legislation. and now Is
our time to make sure OF the senate.
"A mass meeting Is to be he'd in
Cooper Union. New York. on Decem-
ber 90. whfrf viii be -addressed by a
number of prominent business men.
and this will be followed by our annual
convention In February.
AT present there are two bills be-
fore congress providing for a parcels
post system---the Bennett bill and the
Sulzer bill. Our league favors the Sui
ger bill because IL specifies the limit
on packages. IL this bill is made a
law II will save the people OF the
country $60.000.000 a year that they
are now paying to the express com.
panies In excessive rates, and convert
the annual deficit OF the Postoffice De.
partment into handsome profit"
Although the sentiment in the House
seems generally favorable to the par
cells post. there is strong factor op'
posed to II. This Is the House Com
mittee on Postoffices and Post-roads.
Representative Weeks. of Massachu'
setts, the chairman Of this body, has
expressed himself very forcibly as op.
posed to any legislation of this kind
and he apparently has the support OF
the majority of the committee. With
the end Of the present session. how
ever, ten OF these lose their seats in
the House. and there will be new
committee with a new chairman. when
the 62nd congress opens.
The arguments for and against q
parcels post are many, and have been
reiterated time and again, and 1t Is
safe to say that they will be present
ed In amplified form at this session.
Rep. sulzer's Bill.
Representative Suffers bill is as fol
lows.
Be II enacted. etc, That the common
weight limit of the domestic posta
service Of the United States is here
by increased TO IL pounds, the com
mon limit OF the Universal Posta
Union. and that in the general bust
ness OF the postoffice the 1-cent ar
ounce rate on general merchandise
fourth class mail matter-be. and 4:
hereby reduced to the third class rate
cent for each . ounces or Fraction
thereof.
Sec. THAT the rate on local let
ters or sealed parcels posted for de
livery within the free delivery ser
vices IL hereby determined at cent!
on parcels up to four ounces, l cen
on each additional . ounces; at non
delivery offices. l cent for each
ounces.
Sec. 3.-That all mail matter collect
cd and delivered with the differen
rural routes Of the United States i
hereby determined TO be in one class
with rates, door to door. between tn
Continued on Page Eight)