Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-02-22
Increased Newspaper Postage.

increased newspaper 1OstdSe.
| One of the most important matters re-
ferred to by the Postmaster General is
| the proposed fixing of new rates Of post
age for second-class mail matter. In con-
nection with this subject have the honor
to transmit herewith the report OF the
commission on second-class mail matter,
appointed pursuant to a joint resolution
of the Sixty first Congress, approved
March 4, 1911.
The commission consists Of Hon. Charles
E. Hughes, associate justice Of the SUI
preme Court OF the United States; Presl-
dent A. Lawrence Lowell of Harvard Uni
versity, and Mr.. Harry A. Wheeler pres
ident of the Association of Commerce Of
the, city of Chicago, whose character,
ability and experience command for their
findings and recommendations the respect
and confidence of the Congress and the
country.
The report discloses a most exhaustive
and critical inquiry into the subject OF
second-class mail matter after adequate
notice to all parties in interest. Exten-
sive hearings were held by the commas
sion, at which the Postmaster General
and the second and third assistant post
masters general appeared and submitted
formal statements presenting the various
contentious of the Post Office Depart
ment, together with all the relevant Off
cial data and evidence relating to the
cost OF, handling and transporting second
class mail matter. Certain of the lead
ing magazines were represented by coun-
sci, while various other publications ap-
peared by Representative and were heard
in oral argument or permitted to sub
NIT written briefs setting forth their
respective reasons for opposing change
in the present postage rate on second o,r1
ant postmasters general, together with
minor officers of the department. were
critically cross-examined by the counsel
and representatives Of the periodicals,
and all the various phases Of the second
class postage problem we're made the sub
ject of a most painstaking investigation.
Cost in Excess Of Postage Paid.
The findings of the commission con-
firm the view that the cost Of handling
and transporting second class mail matter
is greatly in excess of the postage paid,
and that an increase in the rate is not
only justified by the facts, but Is desir-
able.
The commission reports that the evil
dence submitted for its consideration Is
sufficient to warrant finding of the APP
proximate cost Of handling and trans
porting the several classes Of second
class mail known as paid-at-the-pound--
rate, free-in-county, and transient mat
ter, in SO far as relates to the services
of transportation, post office cars. rail-
way distribution, rural delivery, and GER
tain other items of cost, but that it is
without adequate data to determine the
cost of the general post Office service and
also what portion of the cost Of certain
other aggregate services Is properly assign
able to second-class mail matter. It finds
that in the fiscal year 1908. the period for
which the statistics for the Post Office De-
partment were compiled. the cost OF ham
ding and Transporting second-class mail,
in the items of transportation post office
cars, railway distribution, rural delivery
and certain miscellaneous charges, was
approximately cents a pound for paid
at -the-pOund-rate matter, and for free
in-county and transient matter each ap-
proximately cents a pound, and that
upon this basis, as modified by subquent
reductions in the cost of railroad trans
portation, the cost of paid-at-the-pound-
rate matter, for the services mentioned.
is now approximately 81 cents pound.
while the cost of free-in-county and
transient matter remains as formerly.
namely, each at approximately cents
a pound.
Since the commission has determined
that the cost Of handling and transport
ing second-class mail Is Apr oximately
5k cents for matter paid-at-the-pound
rate and approximately cents each Tor
free-in-county and transient matter, with
out taking into account the cost of the
general post Office service and certain
unassignable items of expense, it is ap-
parent that the aggregate cost of all
service performed by the postal establish
ment in connection with this class OF mail
matter is considerably above that
| amount
Equity in Rates Desired.
q