Polk County observer. (Monmouth, Polk County, Or.) 1888-1927, 1911-08-04
sEcoNp-cLAss POSTAGE.

Still obsessed with the idea Of fore
ing the publishers Of second class
| publications to make up the deficit
in the postof1ice department by in
creasing the postage on their output,
Postmaster General Hitchcock has de-
clared to the commission appointed to
inquire into the handling Of second
class mail, that he would insist upon
his position that the rate OIL second
class matter should be doubled. The
postoffice deficit appears to trouble
Mr.. Hitchcock greatly. The fact that
shortage in the operating expenses
of the department, as compared to
the receipts has existed to a greater
or less extent for several years, and
is even now smaller than ever before
in the history Of the government, is
forgotten by the official in his desire
to embarass the publishers of the
country. While the rates on second
class publications may be low, it is
fact that, in the event of its increase
to the figure than Hitchcock demands,
many of the smaller newspapers of
the country would find considerable
difficulty in meeting the new schedule
The Postmaster General more partic-
ularly directs his claims for increase
upon the magazines and other period
icals that carry many pages Of adver-
tising and insists that such pages are
in no manner a benefit to the public,
representing a distinct asset to the
publisher, aside from his regular sub
scription lists, and that payment
should be made upon those pages at
greater rate of postage than upon
the regular reading matter.
This is a rosy theory but it has
been decided that no such discrim-
ination can be made. In other words,
that it is illegal to name a higher rate
of postage on part Of a magazine than
on the balance and therefore, in order
to make the provisions of the increase
effective, and at the same time tax
the magazine publishers, it is propos-
ed to double the charges all along the
line. Thus the country publishers,
manv of whom, in the smaller com
are having plenty of trouble
in meeting their present bills, are
taxed to make up deficit that the
larger publications have been instru-
mental in creating, or rather, in help
ing TO keep in existence.
Hitchcock declares that in 1872,
when the provisions of the present
postage law were adopt
ed. there were but comparatively few
in the country but that,
Turing recent years their number has [
increased to such an extent that il is .
necessary 30 increase the
postal charges In taking this posi- [
ion the Postmaster General stands
n the light of opposing the growth
md development of the country by
the establishment of
He declares, by infer
nee, at least. that the newspapers
ire of no value to the country and !
heir publishers a favored class who
lave been making money because of
90 liberal postal laws. !
But. while this agitation directed 9
oward the second-class publications
5 being carried on. il might be well !,
o look elsewhere for the real
rouble. II the Postmaster General y
eally wants TO render the country
ONE service aside from wiping out y
he postal deficit, he win agitate the 7
emoval Of the franking privilege y
rom the senators. congressman and =
angers on az the Capitol and the =
ast horde Of federal Office holders y
throughout the country. He will also Z
'sne an order prohibiting the sending .
f printed stamped envelopes 10 mil y.
ons Of business men throughout the =
omtry. absolutely without charge = =
Or postage and be will inangurate
iany other reforms in his own de- =
ariment which would 60 a long wav q
,wari making The department self :
lsiaining. giving the public better u
,rpee, and bringing the rates for =
POSTAGE down to one cent, y
hich he greatly desires =
Hitchcock Is overshootinc the mark. y
the thousands Of carloads Of free C
eds. the congressional reports, the
rnted speeches II the members Of
,ucness and al the other campaign
foris If The ofice holders were taxed
le regular rates 81 postage. there ;
ouid b. no dcfcit The congressman a.
ouli refrain from sending out their N
.arly Donations ani the public would al
ms derive AZ ereai a benefit as a re- .
'ciion IN hxf-elass letter postage N
'ohi bring them ol
Il uouii bs rorih TRYING. IN
pt