Evening star., 1912-07-16
.CALLSEXPRESS RATE
CHANGES INADEQUATE
Solution of Problem Is Adop.
tion of Parcels Post, Says
Representative Lewis.

That the express rate reductions and
changes as proposed by the interstate
commerce commission fall far short of the
mark, and that the only true solution of
the parcel-carrying problem lies in the
adoption of a parcels post or postal ex-
press Is the gist of the views of Repre-
sentative David ]. Lewis of the sixth
Maryland district. Representative Lewis
probably is the strongest advocate of re-
duced rates in Congress. and has carried
on the fight for a parcels post ever since
he has been in Congress
In speaking Of the commissions plan to
lower rates, Mr.. Lewis pointed out what
he considered two radical defects: and in
summing up the situation to a reporter
for The Star he made the assertion that
the only solution of the express company
problem would be to wipe them out en-
tirely.
Regarded as remedy for the sit
uatiOn as to which parcels post and
postal express are advocated in Con-
gress," said Mr. Lewis, the decision Of
the commissioner contains two radical
defects which render it practically
worthless to the public.
Do Not Reach Farm.
First, the express companies do not
reach the farm to convey it's table
the kitchen, to the consumer as the
first purchaser. rather than the third
or fourth. Without such direct trans
portation from the farm to the kitchen
the high cost of loving problem re-
mains untouched Only the postal
system through the rural delivers has
the agency necessary to accomplish
this purpose when properly combined
with the railway postal function.
made to cover this deficiency in their
service. and the commission has. of
course. made no attempt to require
them to do SO.
.The second defect in the decision is
the deathly minimum charge of 81
cents, economically regarded. The rate
for a pound shipment ought to be
graduated down to at least cents. as
it is In England on the railways. The
commissions charge of Fl cents will
simply kill nearly all such possible
traffic. The commission does not seem
to have realized Tor perhaps has found
itself unable to do better) that the
great outrage and wrong in express
charges has been this minimum charge
of 20 cents now reduced to 21 cents.
What Public Wants.
What the public wants and commerce
and the traffic demand is a graduation
of charges for transportation that will
begin where the 2-cent charge for let
ter stops and will cover the Intervening
weights from half a pound up to 100.
with charges proportioned and graded to
the value of the service rendered accord
ing to the size Of the shipment.
''The commission has been able to get
only as low as q cents for a pound
package for the distance of twelve and
one-half miles, while 100 pounds is ham
died for 55 cents The express company
will now carry pound of books to any
point in the United States for 10 cents.
and a pound Of merchandise to any point
in the United States for IL cents, if the
rates are prepaid.
1.-The truth is that the whole theory
of regulation it inapplicable to the ex-
press company. because 1t sa parasite
in transportation. Its rates are shown
to be on the average more than twice
the normal rate, and yet it's profits last
year amounted to go. or less than Z
per cent Of It's rate. With railways, IL
they were making 100 per cent profit on
their investment 80 per cent Of their
rate would be profit, and you would have
this margin to work on as a regulator
to bring their rate down to normal But
the railroad is a normal transportation
agency, while the express company is
only a parasitic intruder. In human. as