Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1912-03-11
EXPERIMENTAL SYSTEM ON
RURAL DELIVERY ROUTES
Postage Rates Of 5 Cents For First
Pound and Lower Charge For Addi-
tionaI Pounds Proposed = Will Con-
tinus Two Years on Trial IL Recon-.
mend atoms Are Adopted.
Especial Correspondence

the bill a provision for a limited rura!
route parcels post. with postage rates
at cents per pound for the first pound
and cents per pound over one pound
and for fractions of pounds up to
limit of eleven pounds. 1t is an ex-
detrimental proposition and will lass
for two years an all the routes of the
United States.
The committee has also provided a
rate of 1aScents per pound with linz
it of eleven pounds to replace the
present rate Of ! cent an ounce with
limit of four pounds for carriage OF
merchandise.
The committee in its report gives
most interesting discussion of its views
on the parcels post question. In view
of the Importance of this question and
in view OF the fact the experimental
proposition is widely looked on as the
entering wedge to a general parcels
post, the committees statement Of the
case is here given:
Provisions Of Measure.
Section Of this bill contains pro-
visions in reference to mail matter OF
the fourth class. Under existing Jaw
we have a general parcel post fixing
the postal rate at cent an ounce with
q limit of four pounds for mail matter
Of the fourth class (merchandise.) This
is an ounce and not pound rate.
"Bv the terms Of the international
postal convention the people of TWEEN
ty-three foreign countries may now
transmit fourth class matter (mer-
chandiSe) thru our mails at the rate
of IL cents pound with limit OF
eleven pounds. This Is not an ounce
rate. but pound rate. This bill pro-
vides for a similar pound rate and
limit for the use of our people in our
mails that is given by us to foreign
countries The section does not provide
for the rate or a fraction OF pound.
but for a fat pound rate to limit OF
eleven pounds at IL cents pound. and
each fraction of pound over one
round carried under this section would
cost 1e cents. The ounce rate law now
in force is not repealed b. this sec
ton and there is no inconsistency or
conflict in the two acts that would OPP
crate as repea! OF the ounce postal
section by implication. So that one de-
string to send. package of less weight
than pound thru the mails can do so
at the rate OF cent an ounce. Thus
far the parcel post question seems SUI
ficiently clear to assure us against a
loss OF revenue and detriment to any
business conditions in its application.
"One of the most difficult questions
connected with proposed postal pro-
gress arises with the suggestion 70
create a general unlimited parcel nost
for the Transportation Of merchandise
at a fat rate of cents pound or
less. with limit Of eleven pounds or
greater number o. pounds.
The advocates Of this proposition
insist that the rate on fourth-cla
matter merchandise was ct one time
S cents a pound with no loss OF rev.
enue, but an increase of revenue: that
the zone system of transportation
charges used by the express companies
is unnecessary and cumbersome: that
express companies pay wheelage to
railroad companies and divide profits
and still make annually colossal profits
at the expense Of the people; that 1t
is the right of the people to use the
mails for their own benefit and the
right of the consumer to buy wherever
he can secure the best bargain, wheth-
er it be at homo or in another state or
city and that the complaint OF this
view is from selfish sources: that
largely increased revenue will come to
the government from the system and
advantages and blessings to the whole
people in its operation.
Position Of Opponents.
''The opponents Of general unlim-
tied parcel post insist that 1t will tend
to concentrate business in the large
cities and be injurious to rural COM
munities and small towns and cities:
that 1t is step in the wrong direc-
-paternalistic and dangerous in its
tendencies; that 1t would create an
enormous deficit in the postoffice de-
rartment; that It would revolutiontze
the commercial system In the United
States: that it would seriously delay
the delivery Of legitimate mail: that 1t
would deplete or destroy the prosperity
of innumerable country towns and VII
la ges and therefore must be regarded
as a menace to the welfare OF all the
people: that 1t is class legislation IN
that it discriminates against the coun-
try merchant and favors the great re-
tail mail order houses; that 1t Is IN
effect a subsidy to the retail mail or
der houses-wropg in principle and un-
fair in practice: and they further In
sist that rural parcel post would be
an entering wedge for a general par
eel post.
Sought Specific Facts.
! I'VE need specific facts and not
merely opinions on which to pass in
tellisent and satisfactory legislation.
It would seem essential that we know
how this innovation in our postal sys-
TEN will affect our revenue: what ad-
ditional burdens we must assume in in
creased numbers Of employees. and the
\ 3prvoase6 railway and carriage nav:
whether fiat rate can be established
for the whole Of the United States or
not and at what figure; whether 1t
would be wise to adopt the zone sys-
tenn Of transportation and pay for car
rage or not: how far this extra serv-
ice would interfere with the handling
Of first, second, and third class mail
matter; the probable losses and prof.
its under different rates: the effect on
the centfalization Of trade; whether the
express companies could sunder one
system or another secure the short
hauls and leave the long and expensive
/ l,sulRf to the Rovernlnent: whether &c