The enterprise. [volume] (Harlem, Mont.) 1899-1926, 1912-12-26
*For full explanation Of the rates of postage the First
Zone see the Parcel Post Guide

er single package to be carried and
should charge in proportion just what
it does now for one package of II
pounds weight.
Every postmaster in the United
States will have a parcel post map
like the one which is here reproduced
except that the zone lines will be
shown with the unit of his postofice
as center. All that postmaster
will have to do when parcel is pre-
sented for transportation is to find
out in what zone the destination of
the package lies. His table will show
him instantly the rate per pound from
the unit in which his postoffice lies
to the zone Of the packages destina-
tions, the price as has been explained
before, to every postott1ce in any one
zone being the same. The parcel post
will take nothing but fourth-class mat
| ter. Printed matter is still in the
third-class designation. Therefore
books cannot be sent by the parcel
| post system. This the postoffice au-
thorities seem to think is in a way
unjust and may work hardship. It
may be that in the future the law will
be changed so as to include all print
ed matter. It seems to be certain that
an attempt will be made to bring
about this change as speedily as pos
sible.
| Must Bea. Stamp.
Postmaster General Hitchcock has
hot ho o1vicn1
that parcel post packages cannot be
accepted for mailing unless they bear
a distinctive parcel post stamp and
have attached to them the return card
of the sender. A series of distinctive
stamps is now in course of prepara-
ton for this class of mail as required
by the law creating the parcel post
system. Consignments Of these
stamps will be ready for shipment to
all postof1ices in ample time for the
establishment Of the new system on
New Years day.
The postoffice department has given
instruction to every postmaster in the
country to enlighten his patrons as
much as possible on the general sub
ject Of the parcel post and especially
on the use of the special stamps and
the necessary attachment of the re
turn card. The law requires that all
fourth-class matter mailed Ter Jan
uary /, 1918, without parcel post
stamps attached shall be treated as
Held for postage" matter. Parcel
post packages will be mailable only
at postofices, branch postoffices, let
tered and local named stations, an6
such numbered stations as may be
designated by the postmasters.
It has been announced by Postmas
ter General Hitchcock that nearly 20,
600 scales will be required for use In
the parcel post system which is to &C
into effect January LIST. He has &C
cordingly authorized the issuance Of
bids for that number. Two hundred
; Of the largest postoffices and theil
branches will be supplied with auto
, matte springless scales. The mex
class of offices, numbering about 10,
. 900, will be given high grade bean
scale, while the four class offices
: numbering about $4,000, will be fur
, nished with the best spring balances
: obtainable. each having capacity fol
twenty pounds. These scales will b.
used by postmasters to determine thu
} amount Of postage required on parce
!. post packages. The fact that man!
!. of the postofflces Of the country ar