The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1912-12-27
*For full explanation Of the rates Of postage in 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 IL
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 postofflce
as center All that postmaster
will have to do when q parcel is pre-
scented 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-
tons. the price as has been explained
before. to every postofnce In any one
zone being the same. The parcel post
will take nothing but fourth-class mat
ter. Printed matter is still in the
thirdclass designation. Therefore
books cannot be sent by the parcel
post system. This the postofilce au-
thorities seem to think Is in way
unjust and may work hardship. 1t
may be that in the future the law will
be changed so as to include all print
ed matter. II seems to be certain that
an attempt will be made to bring
about this change as speedily as pos
sible.
Must Bee. Stamp.
Postmaster General Hitchcock has
ordered that postmasters be advised
that parcels 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 prepare
tion 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 postofiices in ample time for the
establishment of the new system on
New Years day.
| The postofiice department has given
instruction to every postmaster in the
country TO enlighten his patrons as
much as possible on the general sub
| jeet 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 al
fourth-class matter mailed . Ter Jan
uary /, 1918. without parcel posi
stamps attached shall be treated as
Held for postage" matter Parce
post packages will be mailable onl,
at postofiices. branch postoffices. let
tered and local named stations, and
such numbered stations as may b
designated by the postmasters.
| It has been announced by Postmas
ter General Hitchcock that nearly 70,
COO scales win be required for use II
the parcel post system which Is to g,
into effect January list He has &C
cordingly authorized the issuance 0
bids for that number Two hundre'
OF the largest postofiices and thei
branches will be supplied with auto
matte springless scales. The mex
class OF offices. numbering about 10
! 600. will be given high grade bean
| scale. while the four class Offices
; numbering about $1,000. VIII be fui
, nished with the best spring balance
: obtainable, each having capacity 70
! twenty pounds. These scales will b
| used by postmasters 10 determine tn
> amount OF postage required on pare,
+ post packages The fact that man
! OF the postoifices Of the country AZ