Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1912-12-14
LOCAL OFFICE GETS
SMALL AMOUNT FOR
THE PARCELSPOST
Postmaster General Hitchcock
Appropriates $50.
SERVICE WILL START
FIRST OF THE YEAR


The Sum Is Small and Will Be Used
Only to Start the System--Substi-
tute Carriers and Clerks May Be
EmpIoyed-What the Table of
Rates Shows-Dstinctiv Stamps
Must Be Used.
Postmaster Henshaw has been noti-
fled by Postmaster General Hitchcock
that $50 has been allowed the Mar
tinsburg postoffice TO start the par
cells post on January /. Instructions
have been received stating that this
was the appropriation to be at his
disposal to be used when the new
system becomes effective If sub
stitute carriers and clerks are neces
sary they win be employed
1t has been suggested that this sum
would not go very far, but 1t is under
stood this is merely starter and that
after the new service is under way
the needs of the system will be bet
ter understood and the expenses nee
essary can then be properly estima-
ted
The Postmaster General has appor-
toned 100000 among 1000 postoffi-
ees having city delivery. This ac-
counts for the small appropriation for
the local office.
The parcels post law provides:
That hereafter fourth class mail
matter shall embrace alf other mat
ter, including farm and factory prod
ucts, not now embraced by law in
either the first. second, or third class,
not exceeding eleven pounds in
weight, nor greater in size than seven
ty-two inches in length and girth
combined, nor in form or kind likely
to injure the person of any postal EN-
ploye or damage the mail equipment
or other mail matter and not of a
character perishable within period
reasonably required for transporta-
ton and delivery"
For the purpose of carrying this
law into effect, the United States is
divided into zones, with different
rates of postage applicable to each.
The table of rates is based on a
schedule of weights, ranging by
pounds, from one pound up to eleven
pounds. The first zone embraces To-
COL daIivarv apd Within 6ftt, ,,,ilae 90
mailing Office, and the rate ranges for
local delivery, from cents to Is
cents, and for the fifty mile limit
from cents to 35 cents. The rates
then run as follows
Second zone, so to $50 miles, from
cents to 46
Third zone, $50 to 800 miles, from
cents to 81.
Fourth zone. 300 to 500 miles, from
s cents to IS.
Fifth zone, 500 to 1000 miles, from
cents to 70.
Sixth zone, 1000 to 1,4O0 miles.
from 10 cents to $100.
Seventh zone, 1,4O0 to 1900 miles
from II cents to Sill
Eighth zone, all over 1900 miles,
from IL cents to Sill.
These rates, it is to be remember
ed are per pound The local rate is
applicable to parcels intended for de
livery at the Office of mailing or on
rural route starting therefrom.
1t will be observed that the rates
of postage are largely reduced and
that the limit of weight is increased
from four to eleven pounds. Parcels
will be delivered at all free-delivery
offices and to patrons residing on
rural and star routes; they may be
registered and may be accorded spe
eial-delivery service on payment of
the usual fees, and they may be in
sured against loss in an amount equiv
alent 70 their actual value, but not
to exceed $25, upon payment of a
fee of FIVE cents. Distinctive stamps
must be used on all parcels, but they
may be mailed in quantities of not
less than 1000 identical pieces with
out stamps affixed, the postage being
paid in money.