The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1912-08-23
LEWIS PLAN ADOPTED.

In the House of Representatives, on
Saturday, August 18th, after bitter par
liamentary battle between the leaders,
Hon. David !. Lewis bill for the crea
alton by the government of an elaborate
Parcels Post System, or modified
Postal Express" was passed.
When the Postoffice APPROXIMATIONS
Bill, as passed by the Senate with the
Bourne Parcels Post Amendment came
up in the House of Representatives,
the Bourne rider" was virtually
stricken out and substitute. prepared
by Mr.. Lewis and offered by Judge
Moon, Chairman of the House Postoffice
Committee, was in effect approved by a
vote Of T43 to Sc, strictly party line up
The bill was sent to conference with
iron'Clad instructions to report The
Lewis-Moon Parcels Post substitute Tor
the Bourne plan,
The Lewis-Moon substitute contains
all of the provisions which Mr.. Lewis
has been fighting for since he has been
in Congress except that of government
absorption of the express companies.
The Lewis measure takes in as fourth
class matter, farm and factory products,
which the Bourne bill had excluded. 1t
also includes books and all matter com.
monty shipped by the express companies.
|, sets fifteen pounds as limit in weight,
which NAV be raised to any amount by
tie PostmasterGeneral as he sees fit.
The Bourne Bill fixes II pounds as the
maximum. The Lewis Bill provides
a collect on delivery system, Whereby
the wholesale and retail merchant can
yi- y>S1l l. II. i. IL
express companies. The Bourne Bill
has no provision Of this kind The
Lewis measure provides for an insuran, e
system by which shippers NAV be indenl-
niied for losses, whereas the Bourne
Bill lacks this feature.
The Bourne Bill practically provides
that railroads shall be paid Il cents a
ton per mile for carving pa kages The
Lewis Bill specifics that the government
shall pay no more than the express COM
panies. whose rate is said 10 be cents
a ton per mile.
The Lewis substitute provides prac-
tlCaIIy an average rate up TO 500 miles,
which is 20 per cent. lower than the
average rate for The same distance III the
Bourne Bill. The Lewis rate will also
average SIS per cent. lower than the
express rates up TO 500 miles.
The bills apply different systems in
fixing zones.
There is one provision in the Lewis
Bill which, if carried ont. will eventually
lead TO the establishment Of Parcels
Post system that will rival the express
companies. The bill as now framed
WILL it is estimated, get at least IS per
cent. of the express companies business.
The PoStmaster-General is authorized
to increase the weight limit of packages.
to revise the rates and to extend the
system when he thinks that the condi-
tons warrant it. In other words, under
the bill, the Postmaster General will have
the power to virtually establish postal
express" system. Instead of condemn
ing and absorbing the express companies,
the government will. become rival at
much cheaper rate.
There is another provision in the bill
for which Mr.. Lewis has been fighting
This is the appointment of joint COM
mittee of six to investigate the advisa-
bllity of establishing a system of postal
express" A board Of three experts,
to be appointed by the President at a
salary of S., 900 each, shall assist in any
inquiry.