The Pioche record. [volume] (Pioche, Nev.) 1908-1925, 1912-12-28

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 bust
ness. 1t is understood that this will
be the largest single order ever placed
for scales.
. Rate on Seeds Not Affected.
It should be said that the act of
congress which puts a 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 AVAILABILITY under
the act Of congress, If 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 classifi-
cation. weight limit, rates, zone or
zones or conditions, in order to pro-
mote the service to the public or to
insure the receipt of revenue from
such service adequate to pay the cost
thereof"
Through many years different mem
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
ger 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 II. Davis, Pittsburg
Pa; Daniel T. Gerow Jacksonville
Fla; M. H. Joster, Wilmington, Del
E. M. c. 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, sc
Pittsburg was represented as being 9
large first class office, though smaller
than any Of the greater five, and az
being the center of a tremendous man
ufacturing area. The postmaster o.
Pittsburg reported that the board O.
trade of that city has special parce
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 theil
city deliveries made by parcel post.
Wilmington, Del. represented {
large farming and manufacturing dis
trict, with its mail connections clos,
with Philadelphia. one of the larges
offices. Jacksonville Is the largest of
fee in Florida, and the outlet for al
the mail Of the state. 1t is peculia
in having a special increase of fore,
In winter, the tourist season, and tn
postmaster said that it was expecte,
that travellers would use the parce
post extensively in sending home fiv
and ten-pound packages OF fruit.
Suffolk, Va. and Charlestown, w
Va, are both very small second elias
Offices, one In the tide-water district
with large truck interests; the othe
far inland in an orchard country, wit
diversified farm products. The pos,
masters Of both Offices reported grea
interest in the parcel post. and sal
that they had continual inquiries RI
garding its scope.
From these postmasters the CON
mittee was able to CLEAN a grea
amount Of valuable information
which, added to that gained from tn
recent hearings In Maryland. puts |
in position to plan the details of tn
service to the greatest advantage @
the producing farmer.