Gilpin observer., 1912-12-26

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/ now furnished with scales of limited
capacity makes it necessary for the
postmaster general to make this very
large purchase Of scales capable of
taking care of the parcel post busi-
ness. 1t is understood that this will
be the largest single order ever placed
for scales.
Rate on Seeds Not Affected.
1t should be said that the act of
congress which puts parcel post plan
into operation does not in any way
affect the postage rate on seeds, cut
tings, bulbs. roots. scions and plants
as fixed by section 482 of the postal
laws and regulations.
The classification of articles mail
able as well as the weight limit, the
rates Of postage, zone or zones and
other conditions of mailability under
the act Of congress. II the postmaster
general shall find on experience "that
they or any of them are such as to
prevent the shipment Of articles de-
sirable. or shall permanently render
the cost of the service greater than
the receipts of the revenue therefrom,
he is hereby authorized. subject to the
consent of the interstate commerce
commission after Investigation, to re-
form from time to time such classifl-
cation, weight limit, rates, zone or
zones or conditions. in order to pro-
mote the service to the public or to
fnf nf
such service adequate to pay the cost
thereof"
Through many years different men,
bers Of the house and senate have
been interested in promoting parcel
post legislation. Among the men most
active in securing the legislation
which soon Is to go into effect as
law are Senator Jonathan Bourne of
! Oregon, Representatives David ].
Lewis Of Maryland and William Sui
zer Of New York, who has Just been
elected governor of that state.
To ascertain conditions surrounding
the establishment of the parcel post
system IN places differing widely in
size. climate and industries, Postmas-
ter General Hitchcock recently sum-
moned to Washington. to confer with
the special parcel post committee, the
postmasters OF five typical offices.
They are William H. Davis. Pittsburg,
Pa; Daniel T. Gerow, Jacksonville,
Fla; M. H. Joster. Wilmington, Del;
E. NJ. G. Quimby, Suffolk, Va, and
Henry N. Bradley. Charlestown. w.
Va.
Confer With Postmasters.
The postmasters of the five largest
Offices in the country have already
appeared before the committee, so
Pittsburg was represented as being
large first class office, though smaller
than any of the greater flve, and as
being the center of a tremendous man.
ufaoturing area. The postmaster of
Pittsburg reported that the board of
trade Of that city has a special parcel
post committee. working toward
bringing the consumer and producer
nearer to each other by the new sys-
tenn. He also said that many of the
merchants are planning to have their
city deliveries made by parcel post.
Wilmington. Del, represented a
large farming and manufacturing dis
trict, with its mail connections close
with Philadelphia, one Of the largest
offices. Jacksonville Is the largest Of
fee in Florida, and the outlet for all
the mail Of the state. 1t is peculiar
in having a special increase of force
In winter the tourist season, and the
postmaster said that 1t was expected
that travellers would use the parcel
post extensively In sending home five
and ten-pound packages of fruit.
Suffolk, Va, and Charlestown, w.
Va, are both very small second class
offices. one in the tide-water district.
with large truck interests; the other
far inland in an orchard country. with
diversified farm products. The post
masters OF both Offices reported great
interest in the parcel post, and said
that they had continual inquiries re-
garding its scope.
From these postmasters the COM
mittee was able to CLEAN a great
amount of valuable information,
which, added to that gained from the
recent hearings in Maryland, puts It
! in position to plan the details of the
service to the greatest advantage Of
the producing farmer.