Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-02-22

would enable. the government 10 fur /
nish service at any smaller rate than |
the public are now required to pay by
private companies.
/ cannot speak with too great empha- /
sis Of the improvement in the postofilce /
department under the present manage !
ment- TIE cutting down Of cost, the /
shortening Of methods and the increase /
In efficiency are shown by the statistics |
Of the annual report.
One Of the most important matters
referred to by the postmaster general |
Is the proposed fixing Of new rates OF
postage for second class mail matter.
In connection with this subject have (
the honor to transmit herewith the re-
port of the commission on second class
mail matter, appointed pursuant to a
Joint resolution of the Sixty-frst con-
gress, approved March 4, 1911.
The commission consists of Hon.
Charles &. Hughes, associate justice
OF the supreme court OF the United
States; President A. Lawrence Lowell
of Harvard university and MT. Harry
A. Wheeler, president of the Associa-
ton of Commerce Of the city OF Chi
cago. whose character, ability and ex-
perience command for their findings
and recommendations the respect and
confidence of the congress and the
country.
The report discloses a most exhaus-
tive and critical inquiry into the sub
ject OF second class mail matter after
adequate notice to all the parties in
interest. Extensive hearings were held
by the commission, at which the post
master general and the second and
third assistant postmasters general ap-
peared and submitted formal state
ments presenting the various conten-
tons Of the postofice department, to-
gether with all the relevant official
data and evidence relating to the cost
Of handling and transporting second
class mail matter. Certain of the lead
ing magazines were represented by
counsel. while various other pubIica-
tons appeared by representatives and
were heard in oral argument or permit
| ted to submit written briefs setting
/ forth their respective reasons for op-
/ posing a change in the present postage
rate on second class mail. The second
and third assistant pOstmasters gen.
eral, together with minor officers of the
department, were critically cross exam
ined by the counsel and representa-
tives Of the periodicals., and all the
various phases of the second class post
age problem were made the subject of
a most painstaking investigation.
Says Increase Is Justified.
The findings of the commission con-
firm the view that the cost of handling
and transporting second class mail
matter is greatly in excess Of the post
age paid and that an increase in the
rate is not only justified by the facts,
but is desirable.
The commission reports that the evil
dence submitted for its consideration is
sufficient to warrant finding of the
approximate cost Of handling and
transporting the several classes of sec
ond class mail known as paid at the
pound rate, free in county and tran
slent matter In so far as relates to the
services of transportation. postofice
cars. railway distribution, rural deliv.
cry and certain other items OF cost. but
that II is without adequate data TO de-
termine the cost of the general post
Office service and also what portion of
the cost Of certain other aggregate
services is properly assignable to sec
ond class mail matter. It finds that in
the fiscal year 1908. the period for
which the statistics for the postofice
department were compiled. the cost of
handling and transporting second class
mail in the items of transportation,
postoflice cars, railway distribution. ru-
raj delivery and certain miscellaneous
charges was approximately cents a
pound for paid at the pound rate mat
ter and for free In county and transient
matter each approximately cents a
pound and that upon this basis, as
modified by subsequent reductions in
the cost Of railroad transportation the
cost of paid at the pound rate matter
for the services mentioned is now ap,
proximately 5la cents a pound. while
the cost of free I'm county and transient
matter remains as formerly-namely
each at approximately cents pound
Since the commission has determined
that the cost of handling and trans
porting second class mail is approx
mately 81 cents for matter paid a,
the pound rate and approximately
cents each for free in county and tran
sient matter. without taking into &C
count the cost of the general postofict
service and certain unassignable item.
of expense, 1t is apparent that the ag
gregate cost OF all service performed
by the postal establishment in connec
ton with this class OF mail matter Il
considerably above that amount.
Postal Service Self Sustaining.
J The postal service is now. for tn,
J first time in years, operated upon a sell
sustaining basis, and in my judgmen
this is a wise policy, but IL should no
} be carried out at the expense Of certain
classes Of mail matter that pay reve
: nue. largely in excess OF their cost.
. Is not just that some classes of mai
: should be exorbitantly taxed to meet
deficiency caused by other classes tn
| revenue from which IL much below