Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1911-02-15
OurPOlitical
POStOffice

Jno. Wanamaker was Postmaster Gen
eral, Senator Boies Penrose is Chair
man Of the great postoffice committee
of the United States Senate, Thomas H.
Carter, Senator from Montana, has
served many years on that committee.
No three men in the United States are
better versed in postoffice affairs and
needs than these
On February l, 1911, the senate post
office committee, under the leadership
of Senators Penrose and Carter report
ed favorably to the senate for action the
postoffice appropriation bill contain
ing provision, put in without allowing
public hearing or open consideration,
but under political pressure from the
White House, that increases the post
age rate on magazines and periodicals
to such an extent that it practically
absorbs all the profits of the publishing
business of the country, and makes the
further production Of popular priced
magazines impossible. 1t imposes tax
that is confscatory. Notwithstanding,
within the year Senator Boies Penrose,
referring to the Carter Weeks Bill
said; "These are some of the big fea-
tures of the bill. The whole intent is to
systematic and to modernize the en-
tire postal system 1t is idle to take up
such questions as apportioning the cost
for proper compensation of railroads
for transporting the mails until we shall
have established business methods in
postoffice affairs by reorganization of
the whole postal system. The commits
sion unanimously recommended the
passage of the projected bill. Person
ally, I have been very much interested
in all the details and of course am
heartily in favor of the changes to be
made"
Senator Carter said last March: "But
mast iOrego further pursuit of details. The bill
was cordially approved by Postmaster Meyer
and his assistants, and likewise has the ap-
prOVal OF the postmaster general, Hitchcock.
II failed of passage during the last Congress
owing to lack OF time for It's proper consider
alton. but have reintrOduced the bill, which
is now designated Senate 62s7, second ses-
sion, SixIy-iirst Congress. The committee on
pOstOiiices and postrOads Will iavorabIy re-
port the bill TO the senate and ~ should be en-
acted into law before the close OF this session.
IbeIIeve not only that IL Will increase eiiici-
ency, bul that after the expense of installa-
ton Is absorbed IL will result in such eco
Monies in she department OF administration
of the department and service as will ere
IOnG wipe out the deficiency. In operating
under IL the department will be able with al
most unerring certainty TO determine the
actual cost OF each service performed, there
bs reaching a sound basis for legislation
such as is neither available nor obiainable
under the present system. I deeply sympa-
thize with the earnest desire OF the depart
ment officials 10 get rid of the deficiency they
nre iaied TO encounter each year, butI submit
that the first real movement ward that end
must begin with The substitution of modern,
up-to-daie business organization for the ex-
listing antiquaied system which rests upon n
sections OF law enacted In 1886, supplemented
by statutory fragments added from time to
time since that year"
John Wanamakcr said recently: "WIth MIR
HitchcOclI's suggestion. however, there viii
be no general agreement. The ma gaz zines are
supported, not by the price paid for the maya
zine by the readers, but the advertisers. In
q sense, magazines are private concerns, but
they have a public function TO perform, an
educational junction. To tax the advertise
mentS Is 20 tax the quality of the educational
matter contained I'm the pages, for the adVcr-
usemcnis enable the publisher TO pay hilh
prices for literature and educational articles.
The price paid for magazine does not pny
for the printing and the paper. n MIR. Hitch
cocks suggestion should become n part Of
the Presidents plan II would mean that the
public would suffer In the loss of much edu-
cationaI material that the publishers would
then be unable to buy.
We urge every friend of earnest politics
economical government and free press 10
telegraph or write an immediate protest 10
their senator's and representatives al Wash.
ingtOn.