Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1911-02-09
New moveToward Advance
For Advertising Pages.
Controversy Opened wide "
the Senate Committee.
Taft, Sherman and HItchc pekPariic-
ipaie In the Disc ussIon.

Washington. Feb. S.--The much con-
tro"erteda question Of whether maya
zines with extensive advertising Sec
'iehS are paying the government a
reasonable price for carrying the pc
riodicals through tie mails, was dis
rhtec at length today in the Senate
committee on post-offices and post
roads. The discussion related 20 a
proposed amendment to the post Of
flee appropriation bill which would
increase from one TO four cents IA
pound the rate on the advertising
sections Of magazines when carried
as second class mail. No decision
was reached. but the controversy will
be continued tomorrow.
Until today there had been no in
dication that the fight between the
post office department and the InaSa-
zine publishers was to he renewed
al Tie present session of Congress.
This morning, however the question
OF advancing the rate on magazine
advertising was taken up ut the White
House At confer, nee in which Pres
ident Taft. Vice President Sherman.
Postmaster General Hitchcock and
Senators Crane AID Carter partici-
pated. The President it is said sup
ported the contention OF the postillls-
ter general that some action should
be taken at the pre- sent session to aid
the department in it's efforts to re-
du.c the postal deficit.
The method suggested was for n
system Of weighing the periodicals
so that separate rates should be paid
on reading matter and the adver-
tis'ng. The magazines are now car
ritd. regardless of the size or amount
of advertising at the rate of one cent
a pound, which is the second class
rate. y proposal was made by Mr..
Hitchcock that the reading matter
still be carried for one cent, but that
the advertising. which in some mag
aZines is twice the weight OF the read-
in, matter, pay four cents pouno.
Senator Garter, II is understood. took
the position that If such an amend
ment was incorporated in the bill by
the committee, it would be subject to
the noint of order that il was new leg
jslation and therefore not a part OF an
aupropriation bill. 1t was at this point
that Vice President Sherman was
called into consultation. Mr.. Sherman
is said to have said that If the point
of order was made when he was in
the chair he would be compelled 70
sustain it. but if offered when soma
senator was in the chair. 1t would prob
ably be presented to the Senate for
vote.
After Senators Garter and Crane re-
turned To the Capitol and there had
been an opportunity for an exchange
of views. 1t was decided to hold .
meeting OF the committee. The entire
membership was present. Postmaster
General Hitchcock also was there. He
was asked to explain the proposed in
crease in the rate on advertising. He
said that if th. plan was adopted the
effect would be to reduce the postal DE-
ficit from 5000. 900 to 5000. 900 a year.
Judging from the general discussion
of the subject. majority OF the cora
mittee favored it, but 1t Is said the voka
will be close.
Several important amendments m
vcrcd by the postmaster general wefA
made to the bill. One provides for an
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