The Hartford herald. [volume] (Hartford, Ky.) 1875-1926, 1912-12-18
System Made Public By
Postmaster. i
PACKAGES UNDER II POUNDS
May Be Mailed and Any Arti'
Gle May Be Insured
for 1Oc.
SPECIAL STAMPS ARE ISSUED

Washington, Dec. 14.-Regula-
tons to cover the workings of the
new parcel post system, which is to
go into operation on January 1
next, were made public by Postmas-
ter-General Hitchcock to-day.
The new system will be effective
throughout the entire postal service
at the same time and will affect ev-
cry post-offlce. city, rural and rail-
way mail transportation route in
the country.
Every precaution will be taken
by the Post-ofice Department to
have the mails moved with the usu-
al dispatch, and all Postmasters,
Superintendents and Inspectors
have been directed to thoroughly
familiarize themselves and their
subordinates with every phase of
the new system.
Hitchcock to-day expressed the
hope that the public familiarize it.
self with the nature of the new SER
vice before attempting to use it..
The regulations provide that par
GELS of merchandise, including farm
and factory-products (but not books
and printed matter) of almost ev-
cry description, up to IL pounds in
weight, and measuring as much as
six feet in length and girth COM
bined. except those calculated to do
injury to the mails in transit, may
be mailed at any post-ofice for de-
livery to any address in the coun-
try.
Delivery will be made to the
homes of persons living on rural
and star routes as well as those liv-
ing in cities and towns where there
is delivery by carrier. Where there
is at present no delivery by carrier
the parcels will go to the post-ofice,
as Is the case with ordinary mail
The postage rate for the first
zone, that is, within distances not
exceeding so miles, will be Ave cents
for the first pound and three cents
for each additional pound. The
rates increase for each successive
one of the eight zones into which
the country is divided, the maxi
mum rate being IL cents pound,
which will carry a parcel across
the continent, or even to Alaska
and the Philippines. s.. s.c 4.I
For a fee of 10 cents a parcel may
3 insured. and If the parcel is lost
In the mails, an indemnity to the
amount OF its value, not to exceed
$50, will be paid to the sender.
According to the regulations gov
erning the parcels post system, pro-
mulgated by Postmaster General
Hitchcock. perishable articles may
be sent through the mails only un-
der specific restrictions as to their
containers and the distance they
are to be sent.
Butter, lard. fish, fresh meats,
dressed fowls, vegetables. fruits.
berries and similar articles likely
quickly to decay, may be sent for
short distances when securely pack
ed. Eggs will be accepted for To-
cal delivery when packed properly
in a container; and for any distance
when each egg Is separately packed
in perfectly secure manner.
No restriction is placed on the
mailing Of salteds dried, smoked or
cured meats, but fresh meat will be !
transported only within the first
zone.
Fragile articles. including millin-
cry, toys, musical instruments and /,
articles of glass, in whole or In part,
must be securely packed and mark
ed fragile"
Articles that may not be sent by /
parcel post include Intoxicating IL |
quors OF all kinds; poisons, poison
Gus animals; insects or reptiles;N ex-
plosives % every kind; infammable /
articles. including matches; internal
rnachines pistols or revoivers; dis
ease germs I, any obscene. defama-
tory or scurriIOus matter now pro-
hibited by law live or dead ami
mails or birds or live poultry; raw
hides or psltsI or ANYTHING having
a bad odor. ka4& &V : 3 Il
Books and, printed matter may
not Be forwarded At parcel post