Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-08-24
HITCHCOCK IS GLAD
Pleased at Adoption of Par
GELS Post Resolution.
PROVIDES ZONE SYSTEM
Packages Weighing Up to Eleven
Pounds May Be Shipped.
MAY MAKE RATE CHANGES
Postmaster General Says Gag
Rule" Was Nullifed by Presi-
dent Taft Last April.
MAY MAKE RATE CHANGES

Commenting on the post office
appropriation bill. as finally passed by
Congress today, Postmaster General
Hitchcock expressed much gratification
over the adoption Of the provision for a
parcels post system. substantially as
recommended by the department The
law provides for system of distance
zones with graduated rates of postage
ranging from :, to II cents a pound
according to the distance shipped. A
special rate of cents pound, with 1
cent for each additional pound. is pro-
vided for shipments on rural routes and
in the city delivery service.
Articles weighing as much as eleven
pounds and not exceeding in size seventy
two inches in length and girth will be
transported.
The Postmaster General is granted au-
thority, subject to the approval of the
interstate commerce commission, to make
such changes as experience may show
desirable in the rates of postage, in the
weight limit of parcels carried, in the
number and size of the distance zones
and in the classification of the articles
to be accepted for shipment.
Shipments by Freight.
Mr.. Hitchcock also was pleased that
Congress recognized the right OF the de-
partment, pending the report of joint
committee. to ship second-class matter by
fast freight. instead Of by mail since the
adoption of this plan. when in full opera
ton. means saving of about $3,O0OO0O a
year to the government and also relieves
the railway mail clerks of much onerous
work, enabling them to devote closer at
tention to the first-class mail. The ship
ping of magazine matter by fast freight
instead Of in the mail cars is OF direct
benefit to the public. because 1t permits a
quicker handling of letter mail.
Another important feature OF the new
law to which Mr.. Hitchcock particularly
referred Is that providing for the CLASH
fication OF the salaries of railway mail
clerks. Congress adopted the Postmaster
Generals recommendation in this matter
and thereby conferred on the railway
mail clerks the same satisfactory system
of promotions as that recently provided
for post Office clerks and city letter car
riers.
With regard to the provisions concern
ing organizations formed by the employees
of the department, Mr.. Hitchcock said
factory to the department. since 1t pro-
hibits employees from joining any organi-
cation that has among its objects the
calling of strikes or organization that
would assist in the calling Of strikes.
Menace Of Possible Strikes.
He laid stress on the fact that the de-
partment never has opposed organizations
that are not detrimental to the postal
service, although 1t has vigorously op-
posed the joining by employees OF organi-
cations that could call strikes. realizing
what a menace II would be to the public
welfare to have even the threat hanging
over the postal service.
As to the provision in the law that en-
plOyes may take their grievances before
Congress. Mr.. Hitchcock said that this
merely reasserted privilege already ex-
listing. He explained that the executive
order of January 81, 1902. some time re-
ferred to as the gag rule" prohibiting
employees of the civil service from max
ing representations to Congress, was
nullified by President Taft April 8, 1872,
who substituted an executive order pro-
viding that employees may submit their
complaints to the heads of departments
for transmission to Congress-. and requir-
ing those officers to forward them i'm
mediately to Congress.