Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1912-03-13
Last Battle Of the SEES
sion Near at Hand.
The Proposed Measures Thus
Far Under Discussion,
And the Effect Likely II Any Of
These Are Enacted.

Washington, ID. c. March 12-(Spe-
ciaD is apparently nearing
its last battle over a parcels post law.
The efforts to establish an extension
of parcels post through separate en-
actment, which continued so long have
been abandoned, and now provisions
both for a general parcels post-in
limited form-and for an experimental
parcels post on rural routes alone have
been put upon the general appropria-
ton bill, which carries funds for the
support of the postoffice department
and the postal service. Both matters
have long been of special interest In
Maine. specially to Oranges. This
postoffice appropriation bill must, or
course, become law in some form. APP
parently the parcels post riders-for
such they virtually are-must go
through with the appropriation bill.
That necessarily means there must
be determined majority in the House
favorable to such legislation. Presum
ably there is. A friendly majority is
also likely in the Senate, but there are
pitfalls in the form of parliamentary
tactics and modification of provisions
practicable. These, however, are hard
~ to be expected.
Representative John A. Moon of
Tennessee, who is chairman of the
House postoff1ce committee, will open
the ball with proposition for
cloture rule, which would allow only
the adoption or rejection of that fea-
ture of the postoffice appropriation bill.
The fight will be very vigorous in all
probability and the usual cries about
gag law" will be heard. He is conf
dent, however, that the House Demo-
Gratis will stand by him and If they do
there is practically no doubt that the
parcels post paragraphs will ride firm
ly on the back of the appropriation
bill and that even opponents in the
Senate will be unable to unhorse them.
The House Republicans have made
no minority report on the postoff1ce
appropriation bill and are not neces-
sarily opposed to the parcel post. But
they do not altogether concur in the
kind of measure the Democrats have
! framed 1t Is over these differences of
view that the contest will probably
rage. The important paragraph OF tn
rider is that hereafter postage shall
be paid on matter of the fourth class
at the rate of II cents per pound and
that no article, package, or parcel
shall be mailable as matter of the
fourth class which exceeds Ii pounds
in weight" This extends the weight
of parcels from four pounds, as now
provided In the law. to IL pounds.
which is the international limit and
which is also the limit provided under
the laws of many European countries
in their domestic parcels post enact
ments.
The other Important provision in
the Democratic appropriation bill is
that till June 80, 1914, carriers of mail
on rural routes may receive packages
of fourth class mail matter not weigh
ing in excess of IL pounds for trans
mission and delivery on their routes
only and these rates are prescribed:
"One cent for each two ounces or
( less, two cents for more than two
| ounces but not more than four
ounces. three cents for more than four
ounces but not more than eight
ounces. four cents for more than eight
ounces but not more than IL ounces.
| five cents for more than IL ounces but
not more than a pound, and two cents
per pound for each additional pound
or fraction thereof up to and includ-
| ing q total of IL pounds
| Thus far the Republican criticism
| of the bill in the House, as regards
| the general parcels post extension is
| that 1t does not go far enough. The
| cost of sending fourth class matter
| now by mail amounts to Is cents a
pound with four pounds as the limit.
| But that is provided for at the ounce
rate. The Democrats of the House
| postoffioe committee only establish a
fiat pound rate but the Republicans.
right there. take them to task for not
going further and allowing parcels
weighing over four pounds to be paid
for at fractional rates for parts OF
pounds.
On the other hand the ounce rate,
now in force, is not repealed. If the
! new provision is enacted one can still
send small packages, up to four
pounds in the mail as fourth class
matter for cent an ounce. There
is no Inconsistency or conflict in the
two acts" says Chairman Moon" that
would operate as repeal of the ounce
postal section by application. So that
one desiring to send a package of
less weight than a pound through the
| mails can do 80 at the rate of one cent
an ounce. Thus far the parcels post
question" he continued, seems sufii-
| GENTLY clear to assure US against a
loss of revenue and detriment to any
business conditions in its applica-
ton
There are good many people in
Congress who urge a lower parcels
post rate and who would open the
door wide by fixing a general rate at
cents a pound. Some of them would
not keep the limit at IL pounds. There
is some danger to the pending provis-
ions from these advocates. Both
friends and opponents of the parcels
post--to some degree-may be COUNT
ed upon to fight the Moon provisions.
The one class, of course. will be sim
cere in their desire for more liberal
Continued on Page Twelve,)