Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1912-12-27

that parcel post packages cannot be
accepted for mailing unless they bear
q 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 postofhces in ample time for the
establishment Of the new system on
New Years day.
The postonice department has given
instruction to every postmaster in the
country to enlighten his patrons a.
much as possible on the general sub
1ect 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 all
fourth-class matter mailed s',er Jan.
uary 1, 1918. without parcel post
stamps attached shall be treated as
"Held for postage" matter. Parcel
post packages will be mailable only
at postonices, branch postohices, let.
tered and local named stations. and
such numbered stations as may be
designated by the postmasters.
It has been announced by Postmas.
ter General Hitchcock that nearly TO-
900 scales will be required for use In
the parcel post system which is to go
into effect Jauaary LIST. He has &C.
cordingly authorized the issuance Of
bids for that number. Two hundred
OF the largest postomces and their
branches will Be supplied with auto
matte springleD scales. The next
class Of offices. numbering about 49,
600, will be given high grade beam
SCALE while the four class Offices.
numbering about $4,000. will be fur.
nished with the best spring balances
obtainable. each having capacity for
twenty pounds. These scales will be
used by postmasters to determine the
amount Of postage required on parcel
post packages. The fact that many
Of the postomoes Of the country are
now furnished van scales Of limited
capacity makes II necessary for the
postmaster general to make this very
large purchase a scales capable Of
taking care Of the parcel post bust
ness. 1t is understood that this will
be the largest single order ever placed
for scales.
Rate on eestD Not Affected.
1t should be said that the act Of
congress which puts Q parcel post plan
into operation does not in any way
affect TIE postage rate on seeds. cut
tings. bulbs, roofs, scions and plants
as fixed by section .4S2 Of the postal
laws and reguiations.
The classification Of articles mail
able az well a. the weight limit, the
rates Of postage. zone or zones and
other conditions Of AVAILABILITY under
the act Of congress- II the postmaster
general shall ind 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 classifi-
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 mem.
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 60 into effect as
law are Senator Jonathan Bourne Of
Oregon, Representatives David ].
Lewis Of Maryland and William Sui
ger of New York, who has just been
elected governor of that state. 5.
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-
noned to Washington, to confer with