The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-08-30
PARCELS POST WILL 1. BE IN OPERATION BY JANUARY FIRST Postal Express Business to Extend Over a Million
 Miles of Territory COMMITTEES WILL
 WORK OUT DETAILS First Must Be Prepared a Classified ton of the Articles That Can Be
 Accepted-New Equipment
 Will Be Needed

Washngton, Adgnst s,-Annoancement was made hy Postmaster General Hiteh- cock tonight ihats the postoniee depart ment would be in readiness on January l. 1sla, to put into general operation the re- gently authorized parcels post system
 The postal express business which must be organized within the next four months will extend over more than 10Oa,WO miles of rural delivery and star routes, and will cover in it's various qualifications all systems of transportation of parcels now utilized by private express companies
 Hitchcock Remains in Capital
 In order to take up personally and im- mediately the work of organization or the new service Mir Hitchcock has can- oelled engagements he had made for his vacation and will remain in Washington to direct the organization. The details Of the parcels post system will be worked out by series of committees composed of ot- fcers and experts of the department The general executive committee appointed to- day consists of Chief Inspector Roheft $, Sharp, Superintendent John C. Rooms of the division of salaries and allowances, Chief Clerk A \. Fisher of the second ass sistant postmaster generals bureau and Superintendent George l.. Wood of the di- vision of rural malls.
 First of all" said Mir Hitchcock to- night, must be prepared a classification of the articles that can be accepted for transportation by parcels post The law admits to the mails practically all kinds of merchandise that can be transported safely, including products of tiTe farm and garden as well as factory products, pro vided such articles do not weigh more than II pounds nor exceed 72 inches n combined length and girth. The mode of packing will be prescribed carefully. The present equipment of the mail service is not adapted 10 the carriage of such mer- cnandise, and therefore new equipment must be provided t Is likely we shall lem 3loy extefsivefy hampers similar to these used in foreign countries in handling parcels post mall The style. size and material of such hampers must be de- termlned and advertisements issued for their purchase.
 Must Print Stamps
 "@rhe law provides that postage on all parcels shall be prepaid by anixng dis
 
 the designing and printing of at least u dozen denominations of special stamps. ranging in valua from one cent to one dollar Provision for the collection on delivery of the price of n parcel must be made Regulations governing this phase of the system already are being prepared
 srhe law provides indemRiheation for lost or damaged articles and since many of the articles to be carried will be fra- pile or perlshabe the question of ndem- nity is one for careful regulation.
 "The system Of distance zones required the employment by postmasters of dis tlnctive postal map on which the zones arc represented. Such a map already has been prepared by the department and arrangements are being made for the printing of about l5O,000 in order that each postoffice and postal station in tho Gnited States may be supplied with two copies directory of all offices Is be- Ing compiled for use in applying the prescribed rates of postage to the dis tance shown on the zone maps.
 "The question of adequate transporta- ton and terminal facilities for the par cels post mail on railway and steamship lines and in the city wagon service will have to be worked out with such cafe as to insure the prompt movement of such mail and to prevent a possible con gestion of the ordinary mail"
 Ii is realized by Mr. Hitchcock that it is important at the outset to provide for sufficient additional equipment and lious problems now confronting the pos sble clogging of the usual mail chan nels This involves one of the most se- rious problems no wconfronhng the pos "a officials as q result of tha taking ove- Of so large a volume of additional mail