The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1912-12-11

To estimate as nearly as possible
the amount of parcel post business
that will be carried on when the new
law goes into effect the first of Jan
uary, Postmaster Alfred Wright has
mailed circular letters to Denison mer-
chants who carry on a more or less
extensive mail order business.
The circular points out the salient
features of the new law, explaining
in detail the rates of postage, the size
and weight of packages, the provisions
for parcels insurance, the special
stamps to be used and other informa-
ton of interest in regard to parcel
post.
The merchant is requested to an
swer q number of questions touching
on the probable volume of his mail
order business. Following is list OF
the questions:
1. What is the average number OF
fourth class packages now mailed by
you daily? 2. What will be the aver
age number mailed daily by you when
this law becomes effective? Their
average weight? Their average size?
3. What proportion of the entire num-
Der will be for local delivery? 4. viii
your parcels be mailed in large guam
titles or will there be regular daily
mailing? S. What percentage OF par
cells will be insured? Registered? Per-
ishable? Fragile? 6. When the e.
O. D. feature is placed in operation
what percentage of your parcels will
be sent c. o. D.?
The two distinctive features OF the
new law are the reduction in postage
rates and the increase in the weight
limit from four to eleven pounds. All
matter that is now rated as fourth
class will be sent under the parcels
post system. The law defines the mat
ter admissible under the parcels post
law as follows:
"That hereafter fourth class mail
matter shall embrace all other matter,
including farm and factory products,
not now embraced by law in either
the first, second or third class, not ex-
ceeding eleven pounds in weight, nor
greater in size than seventy-two inches
in length and girth cobined, nor in
form or kind likely to injure the per-
son of any postal employee or dam
age the mail equipment or other mail
matter and not of character perish
able within a period reasonably re-
quired for transportation and deliv-
cry"
May Increase the Force.
Parcels will be delivered at all free
delivery offices and to patrons resid-
ing on rural and star routes. This will
necessitate, in all probability, an in
crease in tho city carrier force and
larger wagons for the rural carriers.
The same rate that applies to delivery
in the city of mailing also applies to
rural routes leading out of that city.
The insurance clause is a distinctive
feature of the new law. Under this
provision a package may be insured
for it's actual value, not to exceed $50,
upon the payment of fee of 5 cents
for each package. Packages may also
be registered and immediate delivery
for them may be secured upon pay
ment of the regular special delivery
fee.
While distinctive stamps will be re-
quired, provision is made for handling
the output of the larger business
houses by allowing lots OF 1000 or
more identical parcels to be sent with
out stamps upon the payment OF the
postage in cash.
The C. o. D. feature of the parcel
post has not been fully outlined as
yet, and will probably not be put into
effect the first of the year. However,
some provision will be made later for
sending parcels collect, as is now done
by express, the postman to collect the
charges due. A small collection fee
will probably be charged.