Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1912-10-31

GOES IN EFFECT JAN. 1.
One Pound Package Will be Deliv-
cred to Any Point in Radius of so
Miles for Five Cents.


eral Frank Hitchcock giving notice,
that, beginning January l, 1913, al!
Merchandise hitherto mailed as fourth
class matter will have to be sent in
accordance with the new parcels post
regulations, and will be mailable only
when bearing the distinctive parcels
post stamp.
The rule is the most far-reaching
announced by the department in re-
cent years, and is calculated to place
the traffic in fourth-class matter upon
a far more secure and economic basis
than has been the case in the past.
All fourth-class matter is now re-
ceived and forwarded at the risk
of the sender. Under the new ruling
each package in this class will re-
ccive the same registration as all OF
her parcels post matter, and vii!
carry an indemnity for non-delivery.
Great Reduction in Cost. -.
From the point of view of the send
CT, however, the new rule is particu-
larly welcome, because of the large
saving which it will effect. The rate
on fourth class matter is at present i
cent an ounce, Or fraction thereof.
After January packages falling into
this class will be forwarded at the
rates fixed for the zone to which 1t IS
destined.
Thus package weighing one pounG
will be delivered by the Alexandria
postoffice to any postoffice within a
radius of so miles for ) cents. Com
pared with this the present charge for
the same service is 16 cents. In the
second zone, which includes all points
within $50 miles of the sending office
the charge will be only 6 cents a
pound.
Even in tho eighth zone which III
cludes the departments farthes flung
outposts in the Philippines and other
colonial possessions, the charge viii
be only II cents pound-4 cents less
than the highest rate now in force.
There is only one important restric,
ton. I'll packages sent as fourth
class matter weighing more than fout
ounces will be charged for at the
present rate cent an ounce.
Regular Stamps Not Coed. :.
The Postmaster Generals order cat
ries a warning to the public that or
binary postage stamps will not be &C
ceptcd for use on fourth-ciass mat
ter. This is the distinct change t.
bear in mind. Such matter bearing or
binary stamps will be treated as held
for postage Distinctive parcels pos,
stamps for this purpose will be put
On sale at all pest Offices when the
rule goes into effect.
Fourth-class parcels will be mail
able only at post offices, branch post
officers, lettered and localnamed sta
tons as may be designated by The
postmaster. This rule will cut out &
large number of package boxes nov
distributed over the city. The com
nlete list of mailing stations for this
nurposc will be announced later by
Postmaster Eggborn. No package
will be accepted for mailing unless
i bears the return card of the sender.
A Step in Advance.
z"I regard this railing, as wei! as the
domestic parcels post system, as dis
tinct step in advance" said Post
master Eggborn yesterday. 1T will be
most important factor in bringing
about a reduction in the prices Of
n,anvl commodities by providing
cheap and rapid form Of transporta-
ton.
"To the city man it will offer many
farm products of daily consumption
brought to his table direct from the
farm at a low cost of shipment. VIZ
are as yet in the dark as to what spe
cifc things will be admissible, but
is safe to say that the department. VII
admit all products the carriage o
which will not endanger other matter
Eggs. butter and similar product
will, am certain, be received TO
shipment
One effect of the forrth-class rui
ing, said Postmaster Eggborn, WI
be 20 increase greatly the volume
the local package business. Under tn
law a person will be able to depos
a one-pound package in the AlexaE
dria office and for the sum OF 5 cent
i have it delivered promptly to an
address in Washington. Washlngto
! merchants will have the same oppo