Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1912-11-20
CONCERNING
THE r POST
New Regulations for Carrying Parcels
Through the Mails Takes Effect
January 1st.

? The latest issue of the Daily Bull
letin. published for the instruction
of the postal employees. contains some
interesting matter relative to the
parcels post in which the public
in general will be greatly interested.
In short no package will be received
for transportation in this department
that has not affixed the regulation
parcels post stamp which are being
issued for the department.. Ordinary
postage stamps which have been good
alike on letters, newspapers or pack
ages will not be accepted as postage
on matter sent through the parcels
post and all merchandise must be
sent through this department. In
part this recent bulletin says:
Shortly before Jan. l, 1918, each
postmaster will be supplied with one
or more copies of the official parcel
post map of the United States. show
ing the unit of area in hich his
postofice is located and the eight
postal zones indicating the distance
en- which the parcels post rates of
postage are based. These maps will
be securely inclosed IN a mailing
tube. and sufficient copies will be
sent so that at least one map will be
Immediately available for each post
Office. branch postofice and lettered
and local stations.
At the same time there will be
furnished to each postmater a supply
of copies Of the official parcel post
guide, a publication that will show
the unit Of area in which every post
Office IN the United States is located.
The guides will contain full informa-
ton as to its use in conjunction with
the map and will also contain the
regulations approved by the postmaster
general for the conduct of the parcel
post service.
On account of the increase in the
weight limit from four to eleven
pounds it will be necessary to supply
postmasters with scales of adequate
capacity, It is expected that every
presidential postoffice and the majority
of the Offices of the fourth class will
be properly equipped in this respect
by Jan. 1, 1918. Offers of the fourth
class that do not receive a suitable
scale by that date will be supplied
as promptly as possible thereafter.
and in the mean time postmasters
will be expected to meet the emergency
with their present weighing facilities
or by such other means as they may be
able to devise without expense to the
department.
Taps lines, six feet in length for
measuring packages will also be
furnished.
Distinctive parcels post stamps
will be issued to each postmaster.
On and after January /, 1913, ordinary
postage stamps will not be valid for
postage of fourth class matter.
From the foregoing it will be seen
that there will be several changes in
the mail matter, relative to transporta-
ton. The above is issued as a matter
Of instruction to the postal employees
and gives a very clear idea as to the
requirements in sending merchandise
through the parcels post.
The following points however.
should be given particular attention /:
First That distinctive parcels post
stamps must be used on all fourth
class matter beginning. January,
l. 1913, and that such matter bearing
ordinary postage stamps will be
treated as 'Held for postage" -
Second-That parcels will be
mailed only at post offices. branch
postofices, lettered and local nam
ed stations and such numbered stations
as may be designated by the post
master.
Third-That all parcels must bear
the return card Of the sender, other
wise they will not be accepted for
mailing.
From this it would appear that no
packages of fourth class matter may
be collected by the rural carriers.