The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-12-06
READY TO SHIP
eggs By NAIL
ACTING POsrMAsTER sUTHER-
LANDIs PREPARING FOR THE
PARCELS POST.
RULES OF THE SYSTEM
PUBLIC MUST LEARN REGULATION
BEFORE OPERATION WILL BE
sMOorH-DrsrINCTI
STAMPS.

large families and fifteen doilar-a-
| week clerks with acknowledging
, ''steadies' are not the only ones who
are glad that Christmas comes but
once year. for the postal authori-
ties are busily engaged in prepare
ton for the annual deluge Of mails
and looking forward to even harder
work each day until December z5th
and after.
This preparation is OF the same
character as annually, but there is
other work this year which is maxi
ing the labors of the authorities
doubly arduous. On top of the
Christmas rush will come the rush
which is sure to follow the Inaugural
ton OF the parcels post system on
January LIST. Assistant Postmaster
Sutherland and his corps Of CO.
workers. expect to have things in
readiness for competition with the
express companies in time, but it
means work
Making Ready For Democrats.
If the Democrats could only come
into the jobs now instead Of wait
ing until we have got everything In
ship-shape," said one Of them yes
terday, II would go looking for an
other job with a feeling OF more
good will, wishing they JOY Of their
'pIufns.' -
When IL was suggested that a bet
ter arrangement would be the post
ponement Of the work of inaugural
ang the new system until the new
pie-eaters came in he agreed to ac-
cept the amendment
Everything possible is being done
in every city In the land to make
ready for tho distribution OF the enor-
nous quantities OF fourth class mail
which, II In expected, win be sent
through the mails In such great
quantities as to make those assistant
postmaSesrs wonder 4whethar >s.. being
put under civil service is an unmixed
blessing after all. The new system
will revolutionize the expressage and
distribution Of packages not exceed
ing eleven pounds in weight to any
section Of the United States.
Confusion will be expected from
the operation Of the new system
Until the public becomes educated
to it's requirements. especially in the
matter OF postage. The regular
stamps OF the postoffce department
are not TO be used on this new fourth
class matter. but special stamps win
be provided" said Acting Postmaster
Sutherland yesterday. Maps with
printed instructions are being dis
Grihuted by the postoffice depart
ment."
Making Inquiries.
tfhcials OF the pesteffaee have been
making inquiries for some time re-
garding the extent OF the demand
that will be made upon the parcels
post delivery service at first This
demand. IT /. expected, will be ex-
ceedingly heavy. although figures are
not as yet available.
The mall order houses" said Mr..
Sutherland, which have been usins
fourth class mail matter to a great
extent, up to the four pound limit
are now In a position to utilize the
same service up TO eleven pounds
at a much lower rate. What will be
the extent of their business Is, Of
course, as yet a mere matter OF specu-
iation."
The postal authorities call parti-
cular attention to the requirements
which must be observed In connection
with the mailing of parcels post
packages.
Distinctive parcels post stamps
must be used on all fourth class mat
ter. Such packages bearing ordinary
stamps will be treated as held for
postage. Parcels will be mailable
only at postofiices. branch postoffices.
lettered and local named stations and
such numbered stations as may be
designated by the postmaster. All
parcels must bear the return card OF
the sender. otherwise they will not be
accepted for mailing"
1t II realized In the postoffice de-
'partment that considerable confu-
sion must be expected at the begin
ming Of the service. due to lack OF
attention on the part of the public
to the necessary regulations bearing
on the sending OF mall matter under
the parcels post system. But maps
are being prepared. and these will
be circulated in the widest possible
manner. with explicit directions, with
the view of educating the public In
the use OF the new service.
Eggs BY Mail.
Mail order agents will soon estAb-
lish routes by means OF which to
place the producer OF garden truck
into direct communication with the
Richmond housekeeper, whose eggs,
butter and vetables are to be delfv-
cred at her demicile every morning
in fashion equal to the traditional
morning newspaper and the milk
bottle.
Under the federal act authorizing
the parcels post It Is provided that
fourth class mail matter shay embrace
all other matter. including fam and
factory products. not now Including In
other classes of mail matter. Such
parcels are not to exceed eleven pounds
In weight nor be greater in size thar
seventy-two inches in length and
firth combined. nor m form n kind
likely to injure the person Of any