The Lee County journal. (Leesburg, Ga.) 1904-19??, 1912-10-24

handling expense is largely the same
for each package, but the hauling ex-
pense increases in proportion TO the
weight of each package.
THE government charges for its
mail service two cents for each let
ter-the letter cannot weigh over en-
ounce. The experience of the post
office department. shows that the av-
erage letter weighs a third Of an
ounce. A package weighing eleven
pounds, Therefore, weighs 52S times
as much as an average letter The
haul charge is, therefore, SIS times
as much an element of cost to the
government on an eleven pound pack
age as it is for the aye.age letter.
Depends Upon the Distance.
"The haul charge depends upon
the distance the haul is made. Where
the haul charge is unimportant, the
distance of the haul is, therefore, I'M
Important; but where the haul charge
becomes a serious element Of expense,
the distance Of the haul becomes to
that extent thing to be considered
in fixing the charge of the service.
IF uniform rate was given for
eleven pound packages all over the
United States, one Of two things
would necessarily follow-either the
short distance hauls would be carried
at very much higher rates than the
expenses OF the service to the gov
ernment, or if the rate was put down
to a rate proportioned to the cost to
the government Of the short distance
hauls, then the long d stance hapls
would be carried by the government
at a great loss.
THE government has contracts
with the various railroads for the
transportation of the mail. The only
equitable plan for parcels post is
to consider first the expenses to the
government of handling packages,
and, second, the expenses to the COY
eminent for hauling the packages.
With these two elements of cost con
sidered, proper charges would involve
much smaller rates for short distance
than for longer distances.
Il sought to find out the length
of hauls in which our people were
interested. became sat, SIZED that
lthe haul by the rural carrier was the
most important, and then after this
haul the short distance of from so to
$50 miles would cover the service
which our people would principally
require from a parcels post limited to
eleven pound packages.
q reached the conclusion that not
only juS Gee to the entire public would
require lower rates for hauls Of this
character than for the long haul
across the entire country, but also
the interests Of the people of our
state could only be taken care Of by
giving them cheap rates for these
short distance hauls.
"The bill whic has passed con-
Il gress does not 81; "a to be perfect
i That experience Vi furnish informa
ton by which can be improved, |
am sure; but it is a great step in the
right direction5 One rural carrier
service for paolages up to eleven
pounds is placed at 5 cents for the
first pound, ands cent for each addi-
tional pound, making the cost of IL
pound packages by rural free delivery,
is cents. For a distance Of so miles
the charge is Inade 5 cents for the
first pound and cents for each adj
ditional pound, naking the cost of IL
pound package FIR so miles 35 cents.
"For a dista1t9 OF $50 miles a
4 charge is made of 5 cents for the
first pound and cents for each adj
/ ditional pound, mixing the cost of Ii
pound package fol $50 miles IS cents.
q sought on the door of the senate
20 have these chirges reduced to 2
cents on each additional pound, for
5O-mile haul, and Scents for each ad-
ditional pound for $50 mile haul,
4 but these amendmelts were defeated.
/ The bill, however, authorized the
postmaster generate watch carefully
4 the cost to the gofrnment, and with
the approval Of tls interstate com
4 merce commission y reduce the rates
when it becomes apparent that the
service can be rendered by the gov
eminent for less elarges.
q believe this Measure will be OF
almost inestimab8 benefit. It will
enable the farmei3 to sell many
small products tina now go to waste,
thereby being a cletr economic saving
to the farmer and facilitating the use
in towns and neapy cities Of things
raised on the farms which will great
" contribute to the health and COM
fort of those living in towns and cit
les. It will give the farmers more
money with which to buy more OF
the comforts of life and thereby in
crease the business of the merchants
in the small towns and nearby cities.
The rates gradually increase until
they reach fat rate Of y cents
pound for a distance of 1900 miles
or more. The rates are based upon
what was believed to be figures that
will protect the government from loss,
and, as l stated, will be reduced, II II
is found that the cost Of the service
iustifes it. The parcels post, with
the rates under which it is figured
should enable the merchant in the
small towns and nearby cities to sell