Omaha daily bee., 1912-02-23
TAFT NOT FOR POSTAL WIRES

the postal commission the following
paragraphs:
Such an increase will not. in the opln-
ion OF the commission, bring distress
upon the publishers OF newspapers and
periodicals. or seriously interfere with the
dissemination OF useful news or informa-
ton. A reasonable time should be al
lowed after the rate is fixed, before Il
Is put into effect. While the new rate
will be very far from eompensatlng the
government for the carriage and hand
ling OF second class matter. II will TO
some extent relieve the existing burden
and result in a more equitable adjust
ment OF rates"
That newspapers and magazines have
been potent agencies for the dissemination
OF public intelligence and consequently
have borne a worthy part In the develop
ment Of the country. Mr. Taft says. all
must admit.
Periodical. Are Profitable.
But" he adds. ut Is likewise true
that the original purpose Of congress In
providing for them a subvention by way
Of nominal postal charges In eonsidera-
ton Of their value as mediums Of public
information ought not to prevent an In
crease. because they are now not only
educational but highly profitable. There
Is no warrant for the great disparity be-
tween existing postage rates on periodi-
! calls and the cost OF service the govern
ment performs for them. The aggregate
postal revenues for the fiscal year 1911
were sesT sfs. s25oo, derived mainly from
the postage collected ON the four classes
OF mail matter. II Is carefully estimated
by the Postofflce department that the
revenue derived from mail matter Of the
first class 10 approximately one and one
half times the cost OF handling and car
rage: that the returns from third and
fourth class matter are slightly In excess
OF their cost OF handling and carriage;
and that while second class matter EN-
weight OF all the mall carried, It. never
theless. yields little more than per cent
OF the postal revenues"
The postal commission on second class
matter was appointed by President Taft
following the controversy caused by the
postmaster generals original recommend
atoms for the increase In rates. The
matter was taken up by magazine pub
| fishers before committees OF congress
and sharp issue was raised as TO the
CORRECTNESS Of the Postoffice departments
figures. Congress finally passed join,
resolution authorizing the appointment OF
the commission. which was made up OF
Justice Charles T. Hughes OF the supreme
court, President A. Lawrence Lowell of
Harvard university and Harry A.
Wheeler. president OF the Chicago Asso-
citation Of Commerce
Higher Rates Justified.
THE findings Of the commission" says
| the president. confirm the view that the
cost OF handling and transporting second
class mail matter Is greatly In excess OF
the postage paid. and that an increase
In the rate Is not only justified by the
facts. but is desirable.
1 The postal service is now. for the
first time in years. operated upon a self
/ sustaining basis, and In my judgment
this Is a wise policy; but it should not
be carried cut at the expense Of certain
classes Of mall matter that pay revenue
largely in excess of their cost IL is
not Just that some classes OF mail should
be exorhltantly taxed to meet the de-
ficiency caused by other classes, the
revenues from which Is much below their
cost Of handling and carriage. Where
such Inequalities exist they should be
removed as nearly as practicable.
The proposed increase of cent q
pound In the second class postage rates.
believe to be the most reasonable and
II sufficient time Is allowed before the
Change goes into effect Il should work
little serious injury to the business Of
the periodical publishers, while eQualiz-
ing at least In a measure, the burdens
Of postal taxation"
Another suggestion Of the commission.
which was given the presidents ap-
proyal, would abolish the 'eent-a-copy
lies. when mailed at city letter car
rate for newspapers other than week
rier office for local delivery.