Middletown transcript., 1912-09-14
LIVE MAIL CAN BE SENT
The Parcels Post Bill in Effect
January. /. 1913.

Postmaster General Hitchcock let it be
known recently that the proposed parcels
post plan enacted into law when Presi-
dent Taft signed the new post office ar
preparation would he put into effect as
soon as possible. The Bourut Lewis par
GELS post plan goes into effect January l,
1918, so far as the establishment of the
parcels post rates and zones are concerned
and Mr.. Hitchct ck will endeavor TO have
the details worked out by that time.
Under this legis alton it is provided
that hereafter fourth tliss mail matter
shall embrace all other matter, including
farm and factory products not now en-
braced by law in either the first, second
or third class, not exceeding IL pounds in
weight nor greater in size than Y inches
in length and grth combined, nor in
form likely TO ininre the person of any
postal employe or damage the nail equiv
ment or other Il after, and not of a
character perishable within a period rea-
sonabls required for transportation and
delivery. For parcels post purposes the
United States and its territories, includ-
ing ALASKA but excepting the Philippines,
is to be divided into units of area 30 mir
utes of arc square, identical with a quar-
ter of the area formed bv the intersecting
parallels OF latitude and meridians Of
longitude, represented on appropriate
postal maps and these units of area are to
be the basis of eight postal zones.
The rate on fourth-cl4ss matter weigh
ing not more than four ounces is to be-
I cent for each ounce or fraction and on
matter in excess of four ounces weight
the rate is to be by the pound, the post
age iC all cases to be prepaid by distinc
tive postage stamps affixed. Except as
provided above the postage on matter of
the fourth class, which is to be admitted
to the parcels post rates, are by the pound
or fraction therefor aud varies with dis
tance On eli parcels post matter mailed
at the post office from which rural route
starts for delivery on such route, or mail
ed at any point on such route for delivery
at any other point thereon or at the flee
from which the route starts or on any
rural route starting theretror, and on ali
matter mailed at a city carrier office or al
any point within its delivery limits, for
delivery by carriers from that Office, or
at any office for local delivery, ) cents for
the first pound or fraction of pound and
l cent for each additional pound or frac-
ton OF a pound. For delivery within
the first zone, an area Of about 80 miles,
except as above cents for the fret pound
or fraction of pound and 3 cents for
each additional pound or fraction of a
pound and so on for the seven other
zones.
Postmaster General Hitchcock, as re-
quired by the new parcels post law, Will
provide such equipment, maps, stamps,
directions and printed instructions as are
necessary to administer the parcels post
and to hire teams and drivers. He will
| be allowed to draw OH special appropria
ton Of $750,0G0 made in the Postoffice
Appropriation act. The postmaster gen.
is also required to provide by regulation
for the indemnitication OF shippers using
the parce post for shipments injured OF
lost, by ihsul alce or otherwise, and,
when desired, for the collection on deliv-
cry OF the postage AMI price of the article
shipped, fixing such charges as may be
necessary to pay the cost of those addi-
tiona services. Live chickens, rabbits
and other country products, fresh egg.
and country butter will be handled by
the parcels post. General farm aud gar.
den produce comes under the law. A
joint commission of six members of Con.
gress is making further Inquiry into the
subject Of general parcels post.