The state herald., 1912-12-27

--ltt-tt-l-lAl j
now furnished with scales Of a limited
capacity makes 1t necessary for the
postmaster general to make this very
large purchase of scales capable of
taking care Of the parcel post busi-
ness. 1t is understood that this will
be the largest single order ever placed
for scales.
Rate on Seeds Not Affected.
1t should be said that the act of
congress which puts parcel post plan
into operation does not in any way
affect the postage rate on seeds. cut
tings, bulbs. roots. scions and plants
as fixed by section 4S2 of the postal
laws and regulations.
The classification of articles mail
able as well as the weight limit, the
rates of postage, zone or zones and
, other conditions Of AVAILABILITY under
the act of congress. If the postmaster
general shall find on experience that
they or any of them are such as to
prevent the shipment of articles de-
sirable. or shall permanently render
the cost Of the service greater than
the receipts of the revenue therefrom,
he is hereby authorized. subject to the
| consent of the interstate commerce
commission after investigation, to re-
form from time to time such classifl-
cation, weight limit, rates, zone or
zones or conditions, in order to pro-
mote the service to the public or to
insure the receipt of revenue from
such service adequate to pay the cost
thereof"
Through many years different men,
bers OF the house and senate have
been interested in promoting parcel
post legislation. Among the men most
active in securing the legislation
which soon is to go into effect as
law are Senator Jonathan Bourne of
/ Oregon, Representatives David j.
Lewis OF Maryland and William Sui
yer of New York. who has just been
elected governor OF that state.
To ascertain conditions surrounding
the establishment Of the parcel post
system In places differing widely in
size. climate and industries. Postmas-
ter General Hitchcock recently sum.
moned to Washington. to confer with
the special parcel post committee the
postmasters OF five typical Offices.
They are William II. Davis. Plttsburg,
Pa; Daniel T. Gerow. Jacksonville.
Fla; NJ II. Joster. Wilmington. Del;
f. NJ. C. Qulmby. Suffolk. Va. and
Henry n. Bradley, Charlestown, W.
Va.
Confer With Postmasters.
The postmasters OF the Ave largest
offices in the country have already
appeared before the committee, so
Pittsburg was represented as being a
large first class office. though smaller
than any OF the greater Ave. and as
being the center OF n tremendous man.
ufaotur.lg area. The postmaster OF
?ittsburg reported that the board OF
trade OF that city has special parcel
post committee. working toward
bringing the consumer and producer
nearer to each other by the new sys-
tom. He also said that many OF the
merchants are planning TO have their
city deliveries made by parcel post
Wilmington. Del. represented
large farming and manufacturing dis.
trict. with its mail connections close
with Philadelphia. one OF the largest
Offices. Jacksonville is the largest Of
fee In Florida, and the outlet for all
the mail OF the state. II ia peculiar
In having special Increase OF force
In winter, the tourist season. and the
postmaster said that II was expected
that travellers would use the parcel
post extensively In sending home I'VE
and ten pound packages OF fruit,
Suffolk. Va, and Chnrlestown, W.
Va. are both very small second class
oiiices, ono In the tido.wator district.
with large truck interests: the other
far inland In an orchard country with
( diversified farm products. Tho post
masters OF both otIicoa reported great
interest IN tho parcel post. and said
that they had continual Inquiries ~.
gardlng itn scope,
From these postmartcru the com.
mlttoo was able to CLEAN great
amount Of valuable information.
which. added TO that gained from tho
recent hearings In Maryland. puts II
In position 10 plan tho details OF tho
service 10 tho greatest advantage OF
tho producing farmer.