The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-10-11
sees NO DANCER
IN PARCELS POST
PETERSBURG POSTMASTER SAYS
FARMERS AND MERCHANTS
WOULD PROFIT.
ADDRESSES CONVENTION
POSTAL BANKS PROVING GREAT
SUCCESS. DESPITE FEARS
TO coNTRARY-MEET
ING ENDS TO-DAY.

Parcels post is a good thing and is
bound to come.
This is what General Stith Boiling,
veteran postmaster of Petersburg, told
the members of the Virginia State
Postmasters' Association during their
session at the Jefferson yesterday
General Boiling has long been of the
opinion that the government system
for transportation OF parcels is unrea g
enable and unfair to the American
people. For instance, for many years
he has been impressed with the fact
that persons sending parcels across the
Atlantic to Europe from his postoffice
may send in one package as high as
eleven pounds for which only twelve
cents pound may be charged. II a
package is to sent to any point in
the United States. it cannot exceed
four pounds in weight while charge
of sixteen cents pound is exacted
under Uncle Sans postal laws.
Merchant Has no Kick.
Aside from this feature, General Boil
ing believes that the parcels post. as a
general proposition. will be a capital
good thing for the man in the country,
whether he be farmer or merchant
He thinks the country merchant has
no grounds to fear that such a system
would put him out of business. AS a
matter of fact. no believes the farmer
would continue to patronize the rural
merchant just as TSuch as ever. the
difference being that he would put in
his order for such articles as he might
need. and the merchant would send the
order to the city. getting the articles
back quickly as possible by parcels
post. Thus the country merchant
would be relieved of carrying a large
stock, as at present with the risk
Of getting rid OF all OF it. Under the
new system, he merely keep small
stock OF staple goods on hand. while
from day 10 day as they are needed.
Banks See Light.
OF course. the country merchant Will
not see matters nthat light at first,
or any rate many of them will not.
But General Boiling thinks it will be
merely case OF the postal banks re-
peated. AT first, many bankers were
opposed to this system but practically
all of them who have tried IL now
realize that il is an excellent propasi-
ton. especially for the banks them
selves.
The postal bank In Petersburg was
only installed on September rs last
and YET the banks in that city are
already a unit in voting ii fine insti-
tuition. All OF them have applied for
proportionate share of the deposits.
General Boiling believes postal
banks will prove large factor here
after as preventive against panies.
the very persons who are the first TO
rush 10 the banks to draw out their
money in such times being the ones,
as general rule. to patronize the
postal institutions. And they would
not fear for the safety OF their de-
posts so long as they knew Uncle
Sam had them in charge.
Then, too, the regular banks are
further strengthened by the postal
banks, as they get practically the use
of these deposits a ia rate OF 2 1-2
per cent. compared with and 4
per cent rate to regular depositors.
Sees Good Results.
Though it has been scarcely two
weeks since the postal bank started
in the Cockade City, General Boiling
has already seen many good results
from it. notably the tendency among
the foreigners, such as Greek and Ital-
lans, TO place their money in the gov
eminent institution. whereas they
have been accustomed in the past to
send their extra funds back to their
native country for safekeeping.
In his talk 10 his brother post
masters General Boiling especially
urged extension of the rural delivery
system. as a further step in the d.
rection of parcels post.
Tie parcels post idea also received
some impetus at the hands of Hon.
F. v McGraw. Fourth Assistant Post
master General, who came down from
for the express purpose
II addressing the postmasters.
Some idea as TO how we'll the postal
bank system is operating was given
by Harry II. Thompson. of Washing
on, special government accountant
'or this system.
Cabeu Also Speaks.
other addresses were delivered by
chief Postal Inspector Carter r.
keene. Commissioner Roy q. Cabell
If the Internal Revenue Department,
md John A. Holmes, purchasing
agent OF the Postofflce Department.
Last night the postmasters gave
themselves up to social pleasures.
many OF them going out to the Fair
md some taking in the theaters and
'ther places of amusement.
The convention will adjourn to-
lay. following the election Of officers.
III of whom will probably be chosen
o succeed themselves, 1t was stated
asst night
At the closing session the postmas-
ers VIII discuss the benefits they
lave received from the convention
After adjournment they will attend
he State Fair and thus add to the
'ayetr and success of "Richmond
Jay"
Before leaving for the grounds
hey viii have luncheon together at
he Richmond Hotel