The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1911-09-23
B0URNE'S SIMPLE WAY
TO GET PARCELS. POST
Senator From Oregon Points Out
How Americans Are Dis.
eliminated Against.
But People Will Be Beneficiaries.
Labor World Readers Can
Help Get It.

During the special session of con-
gress which recently adjourned SEN
ator Jonathan Bourne of Oregon,
fresh from a state famous for pro-
gressive legislation, introduced bill
which If taken up and passed by the
next congress will bring relief to
every man, woman and child in
America. , y
The bill contains not more than
one hundred words, but if it should
become law 1t would establish In a
measure the principle of the parcels
post in the United States. 1t will be
most bitterly opposed by the five big
express companies, just as they have
ever opposed the extension of our
postal service, but with the spirit of
progress in congress there is every
hope for its passage.
Full Text of Bill.
The bill reads as follows:
Be it enacted by the senate and
house Of representatives of the United
States of America in congress as
sembled, that from and after the
passage of this act no higher postage
rate shall be charged for the trans
mission of mail entirely within the
United States or it's possessions than
is charged for transmission: Of mail
partly within AND partly without the
Unioted States or its possessions. The
postmaster general IS hereby author
lied and required to establish and en-
force rules and regulations which
will give. the people of the United
States rights. and privileges in the
use of the United States mails as
liberal as the rights and privileges
the United States accords to the peo-
pie of the most-favored nation.
Senator 'Bourne's brief speech on
the bill was a revelation to many
members of the senate, as it I'M
doubtedly will be to readers of the
Labor World. It contains Informal
ton worth knowing for everybody.
After you have read the speech write
to the senator and encourage him
in his work. Also write to your
representatives in congress and urge
them to support Senator Bourne's
BILL
Speech Supporting 1t.
This is what the senator said:
Mr.. President, it may seem
strange to members of the senate that
there should be a possibility of legis-.
lation giving American citizens
privileges in the United States mails
between themselves equal with those
enjoyed by residents of this country
in transaction Of business with res
idents of foreign countries. The facts
are these: Within the United States
the rate of postage on fourth-class
matter. is 16 cents pound, with a
limit of 4 pounds. . ~
THE United States is party to
treaty under which residents Of 20
foreign countries may send fourth
class matter through the United
States mails at, II cents. pound.
with a limit of II pounds. In other
words, a man may send an 11-pound
package from San z. Francisco to
Rome, Italy, at IL cents a pound, but
If he wishes to send the same articles
to New York he must divide them
into packages Of not to exceed
pounds each, and pay 16 cents a
pound.
"A Japanese residing in New York
can send an t-pound package to his
friends in Tokyo at IL cents, but an
American in New York can send only
a 4-p6und package from New York
to Washington and must pay 16 cents
q pound. 3s&f In I.
Mr.. President, the committee on
postoffices and post roads Of both
senate and house have under con-
sideration bills for the esta blishment
Of parcels post In my opinion, the
specific provisions Of such bill
should be fixed only after the most
careful Investigation. S. p e..5y Ill, :. B.
II believe congress will establish
a parcels-post rate OF less than IL
cents a pound, and q rate very much
less than that for short hauls. But
whatever the ultimate action on the
question Of parcels post, see no
reason for delay IN the enactment Of
this law, giving American, citizens as
favorable postal facilities as this: gov
eminent extends to residents Of
foreign countries u Especially is this
true when investiga ton by the post
Office depart nefnt shows that the cost
Of transporting fourth class matter
Is approximately l2s cents g pound.
The passage Oh this bill will In no
way conflict with any subsequent5 Leg.
islation On the subject OF parcels
post. ~
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