Evening journal., 1912-11-19
POST OFFICE
MAY HANDLE
PET POODLES
Parcels Law Seems to Permit
Handling Of Anything
Less Than 20 Pounds
GOVERNMENT
WORKS OUT DETAILS

WASHINGTON. d. c.. Nov. t9.-
Employees of The Post ONCE Depart
ment drafted for the task are work
ing double time to install the parcels
post service by January 1, next II
Is an enormous undertaking
Presses of the Geological Survey
are turning out special maps ,at the
rate Of 5000 a day. and manufacturers
OF scales are struggling TO hll con-
tracts for $4,000 sets OF special
scales
The governments bureau OF En-
craving and Printing Is staggering
under a hurry order for early de-
livery of a new series OF parcels post
stamps in twelve denominations.
AS fast as maps are printed they
arc delivered to the division of topo-
graphy OF the Post Ofico Department,
where the eight postal zonos-into
which the parcels post section OF the
Post Office Appropriation bill divided
The country-are stamped upon them.
Then. In tubes. they are mailed 10
postmasters Each of $4,000 post
masters-frst. second, third and
fourth class--will get two OF these
maps, with an accompanying rate
book
After look at the map and glance
al the rate book the postmaster can
tell the charge for shipping any
package accepted Little confusion
is expected as TO rates.
First deliveries OF scales are TO bo
made within two weeks, and at once
thereafter will be sent TO the post
masters. The scales in use in the
postal service do not record weights
above the present four pound limit
of mail matter.
Final Regulations Soon.
The weight limit OF packages under
The parcels post system will be eleven
pounds. However. anticipating an in
crease OF the limit as the service be-
comes popular, the new scales are to
weigh accurately up to twenty
pounds.
Only $4,000 sets OF the new scales
have been contracted for, because
many of the smaller Post Offices are
in stores. For the present those
Postmasters having their own scales
will not be equipped at Uncle Sans
expense.
The parcels post law rigidly re-
luiros special stamps Parcels will
not be accepted unless stamped with
stickers of the oblong design accept
ed for the new service.
The parcels post stamps somewhat
resemble the stamps used during the
Louisiana Purchase Exposition at ST.
Louis. They are being printed in
denominations of 1, 2. 3, A. o, 10, 10,
20 %, so and 75 cents and 81.
Postmaster General Hitchcock said
he expects TO issue the final regula-
tons governing the service within
Two weeks The law says:
THAT hereafter fourth class mail
matter shall embrace all other mat
ter. including farm and factory pro-
ducts, not now embraced by law in
either the first, second OF third class,
not exceeding eleven pounds in
weight not greater in size than
seventy-two inches in length or girth
combined. nor in form or kind likely
TO iniure the person Of any postal em-
ploye or damage the mail equipment
or other mail matter and not of a
character perishable within a period
reasonably required for Transports
tion and delivery"
Travelling Menageries Maybe.
1t is in the detailed Interpretation
ol the statute that the Posmaser
General is engaged Apparently the
farmer can send eggs. chickens
ducks kittens. butter, honey, bees
or puppies possums or foxes. or any
thing not too heavy, too large or toe
dangerous
II looks as If the fisherman could
post his fish, frogs tadpoles. oysters
crabs. ierrapins or what not
HIII. 4 H....
presumably, will bc allowed to shil
nny article not over large or bulky
and not dangerous But Il is within
The discretion of the Postmaster Cen
efal. for instance, TO prescribe how
articles shall be packed. how present
ed for shipment and 50 on.
Il is likely Mr. Hitchcock will usl
his authority TO prevent the indis
eliminate shipment. for example o
young shoats with only tag tied e
their forelegs
The mail cars will not be mad
travelling menageries for The accom-
modation OF the feathered and furre'
tribes whether wild or tame.
The postal authorities ask the pub
lic 10 remember this fact-onl
fourth class mail matter can be ship
ped in The parcels post. The law re
mains as formerly as 10 first, secon
and third class mail. Books an
printed matter cannot be accepted a
the parcels post rate.
s550.0O0 Starting Appropriation.
Smooth working OF the new seryic
from the outset is not guarantee,
Congress provided the Postmaste
General with only S750.o00 wit
which 10 naugurate an cnormOu
system Of deliveries covering a mi
lion miles Of rural delivery and sta
TO tics
Nearly an Of the S75O.000 has bee
spent In his estimates of the COS
OF operating the Post Office Depar
ment for tho next fiscal year begiI
ming July /, 1913. Mr. HitchcoC
figured S7.240.0o0 needed 10 compile
the Installation and to carry on n
operation of the parcels post
Last Christmas-and the step aga
Will be taken this year-the pos
masters of the larger cities we're a
lowed TO make a departure in ham
ling the heavy Yeletide mail.
They We're permitted TO employ /
cal delivery wagons 10 assist the T
gular wagons of the department
collecting and delivering.
As the need appears after Janua
J. when the parcels service begin
this will be done in connection wi
the regular parcels mail
II the cost threatens 10 outrun d
funds of the department, appeal "