Lincoln County times. (Jerome, Idaho) 1911-1919, 1912-02-29

|
ward University. and Mr.. Harry A.
Wheeler, president of the Association
Of Commerce of the city Of Chicago.
In commenting on their findings the
president says:
THE report discloses a most ex-
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
nal 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
locations 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 the
evidence submitted for its considera-
ton is sufficient to warrant 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 80 far as relates
to the services of transportation, post
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. 1t
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-office cars. rail-
way distribution, rural delivery, and
certain miscellaneous charges, was ap-
proximately 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
| =, ro4< or
services mentioned, is now approx
mately 51a cent? a pound. while the
cost of free-in-county and transient
matter remains as formerly. namely.
each at approximately 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 a service on rural routes
and in the city delivery service first.
Ownership Of Telegraph Opposed.
Hitchcock's recommendation fol
government ownership of the tele
graph lines under the supervision o.
the postal service is not approved o.
! by the president Regarding this ht
t says:
There is only one recommendation
in which can not agree-that is ont
which recommends that the telegraph
= lines in the United States should b.
made a part of the postal system ant
: operated in conjunction with the mai
A system. This presents a question
: government ownership of public utili
{ ties which are now being conducted b.
: private enterprise under franchise
: from the government I believe tina
: the true principle is that private er
t terprise should be permitted to carr
: on such public utilities under due regr
Y lation as to rates by proper authorit
g rather than that the government
/ should itself conduct them. This prir
h ciple favor because l do not think
: in accordance with the best public pc
z ICY luuS kTtdlls " ANIL OdoC ehS cON
8 Of public servants. OF course, II
n could be shown that telegraph servic
It could be furnished to the public at
it less price than 1t is now furnished t
@ the public by telegraph companies
n and with equal efficiency, the arg'
A. ment might be a strong one in fave
IT Of the adoption of the proposition. B,
l. | am not satisfied from any evidenc
a that II these properties were take
IL over by the government they could B
e. managed any more economically c
,f any more efficiently or that this woul
b. enable the government to furnish ser
al ice at any smaller rate than the pu
ir lie are now required to pay by privai
a. companies"
e. The report OF the Postmaster Ge
a. eral is full of statements Of change
is in the organization and methods Of II
a. Doetal service made since the last a