New-York tribune., 1912-04-29
PARCELS POST NEAR VOTE
Experiment Post Also Likely To
Be Approved by House.
From The Tribune Bureau. J

Washington. April 2S.-The postofiice ap-
preparation bill. embracing more legislation
than was ever carried before In an appro-
priation measure, is expected TO come to a
vote in the House before the end of the
week. OF the various legislative features
Of the bill the provisions for d general par
cells post and an experimental post on rural
routes are the most certain Of approval
Despite the conflict Of views between the
farmers and the small merchants a. 10 the
necessity for 8 parcels post, the majority ~
the House members, irrespective Of party,
are expected 70 approve the proposition
thus ending, so far as the House Is con
cerned. a controversy that has existed for
years.
II know that many members would pre-
fer 10 postpone this vote until after cleo
ton" declared Representative Moon chair
man OF the Postofices Committee. "hut it
must be faced now. The country seems to
demand action at this time
Vigorous opposition viii be directed
against other legislative features Of the
postofico bill. Su unusual are the various
proposals carried in the measure that
special rule has been adopted declaring lin
order" the legislative sections which ordi-
narily would have been subject to d point
OF order made by any one member.
Under this special rule the House Will
vote on the merits OF the following pro-
visions now Incorporated in the bill.
A parcels post, with a l2-cent rate ana
an eleven pound limit, such as iS now ac-
corded fourth-class mail from twenty-three
foreign countries but which has been de-
MED for domestic mail.
aypayiYDapfal reels DOSt with similar
weight limit and a rate OF 1--WE cents a
pound for the first pound and two cents
for each additional pound, on fourth-ciaSs
mall on strictly rural routes.
The removal OF the sO-Callcd gag from the
mouths OF postal clerks, thereby permitting
them to petition Congress Tor redress or
grievances or TO affiliate with labor or
plantations.
The Cooke amendment. providing for the
condemnation Of the express companies ana
the establishment Of an express post un-
der control of the Postofficc Department.
The ShackelfOrd good roads bill, which
proposes a unique plan TOT federal aid TO
public highways. This rider To the post
office bill provides that the federal govern
Inent shall pay a graduated toll for the
use of the various state aud county roads
over which rural mails are carried. the
annual toll being estimated at $l6.ONVO.
A provision requiring the Postofhce De-
partnent to use only steel cars after July
/, 1917.
lates that all newspapers snail QI.lt IN
CONSPICUOUS place the names Of its stock
holders, owners and directors
Stin another legislative innovation Is the
provision for the appointment OF com
mission which shall make an exhaustive
study Of the parcels post system and make
Recommendations regarding the establish
ment OF an unlimited parcels post
IT. postoffice appropriation bill, one of
tine largest OF the annual budgets, has been
at intervals the subject OF general debate
I'm the House for the last three weeks The
reading Of the bill under the fve-mnute
rule was begun yesterday, and II will be
rushed TO a vote as soon as practicable.
considering the stiff fights that are TO be
yaged on some Of its legislative provisions.