Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1912-12-31

washington, Dec. 30.-A New Years
gift by the American Government L
the American people will be a thor
oughiy equipped Domestic Parcel Post
Following consideration of the subject
in general way for third of a cen
tury Congress, last August. authorized
the Postmaster General to establish
the new system on January LIST, 1913.
In actual operation, it is expected
that the Parcel Post will bring the
factory and the farm into closer touch
with the consumer, and that it may re-
duce the cost of living. The largest
city and the most obscure hamlet alike
will enjoy the advantages of the Par
eel Post. 1t will be open to all on pre-
cisely equal terms.
The new system will be Il direct
competitor of the express companies.
particularly on small package bust
ness. BY it, shippers practically may
send from their own doors. parcels to
any one of the $4,000 postoffices in the
United states
The rates of postage for Parcel Post
matter differ radically from these of
other classes of mail. First, second
and third class mail matter now is
transported at a fiat rate for any dis
lance Parcel Post rates are based
,pon a series of zones and they in
crease as the distance increases. The
first zone includes all territory within
a radius Of approximately 80 miles
from the postoffiee at which the parcel
may be mailed the second, 150 miles;
the third 500 miles; the fourth, GOD
miles; the fifth, 1000 miles; the sixth.
1400 miles; the seventh. 1890 miles; ana
the eighth all territory beyond $500
miles.
Nv the terms of the law. all matter
not now embraced in the first, second
and third classes OF mail matter may
be forwarded by Parcel Post. provided
II single package does not exceed II
pounds in weight or is not greater in
dimensions than T. inches in combined
length and sirth. and is not of such
character as to injure postal employees
or damage equipment or other mail
matter. In a word, it will include all
kinds Of merchandise
The rates are computed ON the dis
lance and ON the weight of the pack
age in pounds. Provision is made,
however, for small packages weighing
from one to four ounces. which may be
sent at a fiat rate of one cent for each
ounce; but FOR packages weighing more
than four ounces the pound rate OF
postage applies.
Within the postal district of any
postofiice a local rate of five cents for
the first pound and one cent for each
additional pound is prescribed. Within
the 81 miles representing the first
zone, The rate Is five cents for the first
pound and three cents for each addi-
tional pound. This rate increases with
the distance unil it reaches q maximum
OF, twelve cents pound for delivery
within the eighth zone, 1900 miles from
the point OF mailing.
Under the regulations promulgated
by Postmaster General Hitchcock, the
maximum rate of twelve cents a pound
applies on all parcels, except those
weighing four ounces or less, addresses
to any point in Canada, Mexico, Cuba
and the Republic of Panama. The do
mestic rate also applies to any point
in the Hawiian Islands, the United
states Postal Agency at Shanghai, 70
any point in Alaska, and between any
two points in Alaska. 1t applies, like
wise, to parcels mailed in the United
States for delivery in the Cana! Zone
and to parcels going to or coming from
the Philippine Islands.
In the opinion OF the postal experts
the nsw service will be the most gil
gpntlc transportation proposition ever
undertaken by the government. The
service Will extend over more than l.
435, 900 miles of transportation lines
including 233, 500 miles of railways
1874, 1893 miles of star routes, 29,2SS miles
of steamboat lines, and 1007,712 miles
Of rural mail routes.
For parcel post matter, distinctive
set of postage stamps has been provid-
ed. These distinctive stamps must
be used for all parcel post matter. If
!. the packages bear ordinary postage
stamps they will be held for postage.
Immediately upon the enactment of
the Parcel Post law Postmaster Gem
lGeral Hitchcock appointed committee
of postal officials to work out the de-
tails of the new system and to put it
into operation. The committee con-
sists Of the highest authorities on all
phases of postal administration. It's
personnel is Robert S. Sharp, Chief
Postoffice Inspector. Chairman: ]. c.
Rooms, Superintendent of Salaries and
Allowances; c. b. Hurley, Chief Clerk
to the Third Assistant Postmaster
General; q. L. Woods Superintendent
of Rural Mails; and A. A. Fisher,
Chief Clerk to the Second Assistant
Postmaster General. Associated with
the committee in an advisory capacity