The enterprise. [volume] (Harlem, Mont.) 1899-1926, 1912-02-29

pI0SluS0t Sdy ..|
1.-THE report discloses a most ex-
haustive and critical inquiry into the
subject of second-class mail matter
after adequate notice to all the par
ties in interest. Extensive hearings
were held by the commission, at which
the Postmaster General and the Sec
ond and Third Assistant Postmasters
General appeared and submitted for
faal statements presenting the various
contentious Of the Post Office depart
ment, together with all the relevant
official data and evidence relating to
the cost Of handling and transporting
second-class mail matter. Certain Of
the leading magazines were represent
ed by counsel, while various other pub
LEGATIONS appeared by representatives.
THE findings of the commission
confirm the view that the cost Of
handling and transporting second
class mail matter is greatly in excess
Of the postage paid. and that an in
crease in the rate is not only justified
by the facts, but Is desirable"
Cost Inquired Into.
"The commission reports that tho
evidence submitted for it's considera-
ton is sufficient to warrant a finding
of the approximate cost Of handling
and transporting the several classes
of second-class mail known as paid
at-the-pound-rate, free-in-county, and
transient matter, in so far as relates
~ th4 of roy,crorfot}NN
Office cars, railway distribution, rural
delivery, and certain other items of
cost, but that it is without adequate
data to determine the cost of the gen.
eral post-office service and also what
portion of the cost of certain other
aggregate services is properly assign
able to second-class mail matter. It
finds that in the fiscal year 1908, the
period for which the statistics for the
Post Office Department were COM
piled, the cost of handling and trans
porting second-class mail, in the items
of transportation, post-offlce cars, rail.
way distribution, rural delivery, and
certain miscellaneous charges, was APP
proximately 6 cents pound for paid
at-the-pound-rate matter, and for free
in-county and transient matter each
approximately cents 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 approxi-
mately 51A cents a pound, while the
cost of free-in-county and transient
matter remains as formerly, namely,
each at approximately 5 cents a
pound
The commission suggests that the
department maintain an adequate
cost system. so that the effect Of the
new rates may be closely observed
and a proper basis may be secured
for the consideration Of any future
proposals."
President Taft again concurs in the
recommendation of the Postmaster
General for the adoption of a parcel
post system, suggesting the Inaugural
ton of such service on rural routes
and in the city delivery service first.
Ownership Of Telegraph Opposed.
Hitchcook's recommendation for
government ownership of the tele-
graph lines under the supervision of
the postal service is not approved OF
by the president. Regarding this he
sayA:
"rhere is only one recommendation
in which I can not agree-that is one
which recommends that the telegraph
lines in the United States should be
made part Of the postal system and
operated in conjunction with the mail
system. This presents a question OF
government ownership of public utili-
ties which are now being conducted by
private enterprise under franchises
from the government. l believe that
the true principle is that private en-
terprise should be permitted to carry
on such public utilities under due regu-
lation as to rates by proper authority
rather than that the government
should itself conduct them. This prin-
ciple favor because I Go not think it
in accordance with the best public pol
icy thus greatly to increase the body
of rublic servants. OF course, If 1t
could be shown that telegraph service
could be furnished to the public at
less price than it is now furnished to
the public by telegraph companies,
and with equal efficiency, the argu
ment might be strong one in favor
of the adoption of the proposition. But
am not satisfied from any evidence
that If these properties were taken
over by the government they could be
managed any more economically or
any more efficiently or that this would
enable the government to furnish serv-
ice at any smaller rate than the pub
lie are now required to pay by private
companies"
The report of the Postmaster Cen
eral Is full of statements Of changes
in the organization and methods Of the
postal service made since the last an
nual report, and of tentative drafts of
LEGISLATION embodying certain recon-
4<ak