Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1912-08-21
PARCELS POST PASSES
United States Senate Enacts Long
Discussed Measure.
OF MUCH INTEREST TO PEOPLE.
Provisions of Measure Which Pro-
vides for Carrying of Pack
ages by Mail at Low
Rates.

The postoffice appropriation bill
was passed by the senate last week
after two days of fighting. 1t con-
tains numerous provisions new to the
postal law, of great Importance to
the service and of much interest to
the people. Not only has congress
been diligent in examining into and
iegislating to improve the conditions
of the postal employees, but it pro-
poses reforms in the postal service
of wide Importance.
One of the most striking provis-
ions of the bill is that providing for
the Establishment of the parcels post
system. The senate materially chang
ed the provisions of the house bill
and the difference between the two
houses will be settled in conference,
but the fact that it is the decision of
congress to provide an adequate par
cells post system is scored as a great
victory for the advocates of the sys-
tenn without regard to the details of
the form of the service.
The senate provision which seems
to be the more comprehensive and
which was adopted with only two dis
senting votes, is likely to be accepted
by the house. 1t provides for a di-
vision of the postal territory into
zones to be measured by distance.
Each postoffice is to have eight zones
and the rate of postage upon fourth
class matter will be regulated ac-
cording to the zone of its destination.
Upon packages delivered within a
distance of fifty miles, the rate of
postage is to be five cents for the
first pound or fraction thereof and
three cents for each additional pound
or fraction thereof up to the limit of
eleven pounds. For delivery in the
second zone, of $50 miles, the rate
of postage is to be six cents per
pound or less and four cents for each
additional pound. iN0'
In zone three, covering all points
between $50 miles and 500 miles
from the Office of mailing, the rate
will be seven cents for the first pound
and five cents for each additional
pound.
For zone four, including points
more than 800 miles distant from
the mailing Office and not more than
COO miles distant, the rate of postage
is to be eight cents for the first pound
and six cents for each additional
pound.
Zone five includes the territory
within a radius of more than 600
miles and less than 1000 miles from
the mailing point, and the rate upon
+ ackages within the zone is to be
nine cents for the first pound and
seven cents for each additional pound
The sixth zone embraces the area
1000 miles distant from mailing
point up to 1,400 miles distant, with
the rate of postage at ten cents for
the first pound and nine cents for
each additional pound.
The seventh zone includes all ter
ritory outside the sixth zone within
a radius of approximately 1,S00 miles
from the mailing point, and upon
packages delivered in this zone the
rate of postage shall be eleven cents
for the first pound and ten cents for
each additional pound.
All distances greater than 1900
miles from the mailing post shall be
considered in the eighth zone and up
on them the rate of postage shall be
twelve cents for the first pound and
twelve cents for each additional ID.
The house provision limited the in
PRODUCTION of the eleven-pound parcel
post to rural free delivery routes.
Should the senate provision be main
tanned in the bill as it becomes law
the parcels post system provided Will
go into effect four months after the
president approves the bill.
The second in Importance OF the
radically new provisions which had
been proposed in the house bill, that
contemplating appropriations out of
the federal treasury for the improve
ment of roads over which mails are
delivered, was stricken~from the bill
in the senate and joint commission
of three members of the postofilce
committee of both the house and
senate substituted. this commission
to investigate and report at the earl
lest practicable date on the subject
of federal aid in the construction of
highways. This senate provision 1t Is
also thought will be adopted by the
CONTINUED on page A, column 4.)