Perth Amboy evening news., 1912-11-19
PLANNING FOR
PARCEL POST
Local Post Office Has Re-
csived No instructions.

According to Postmaster William
H. Pfeiffer, the Perth Amboy post
Office will not have to be enlarged to
accommodate the enormous increase
of business which will develop when
the new parcel post law takes effect
throughout the United States, Janu-
airy /, The number of carriers,
though, will probably have to be trip
led, which would require special Civil
Service examination, as there are
now only fourteen on the eligible list.
A number of clerks would have to be
added.
When asked this morning how
they would handle the packages
which the law limits to 70 inches in
length and girth, not to exceed
eleven pounds. he said:
I'VE could handle packages six
feet In length through the windows
alright, but most of those parcels will
be distributed by the carriers. We
would not have to have more floor
space, as We have plenty of storage
room In the post Office; besides the
packages will be in transition most
OIL tu6 LiIu6.
When asked about the zone in
which Perth Amboy would be, he said
he had not yet received the govern
ment map which divides the United
States into eight zones, and so he did
not know in which one Perth Amboy
would come. "If New York city il
the center Of a zone then Perth Am
boy and most of Middlesex county
will be in that same dlsivion," he
said.
If Perth Amboy is in the same zone
as New York city a box of candy
wearing apparel of all kinds, eggs
butter, or practically any merchan'
disc or notions, may be sent to an6
from the city for only five cents Il
width and girth Of the package does
not exceed ~ inches, and the weigh
one pound. A cheese or ham, no
exceeding 6 feet in length and girth
weighing eleven pounds. can be SEN
by mail, delivered, at the nomina
cost Of 35 cents. An ordinary sui
case can easily be transported at the
! same price, and for 46 cents could bt
posted to within $50 miles outside o.
the zone. Small chairs and Other
furniture could easily be sent BY
mail.
Packages of the above dimensions
and weight can be delivered around
Perth Amboy at a still cheaper rate
An eleven-pound box Of groceries, 6
jug of molasses, wine, a coop of chic
ken, and encased sack OF flour, 6
crate of tomatoes, eggs, fruit, etc.
not to exceed six feet in girth ant
length and not over eleven pounds
provided they are not of a specially
perishable nature, and the package
in which they are in be not such tha'
1t will damage the postal equipment
or the employees, may be shipped tt
any place within the city limits a
five cents a pound, with cost of ont
cent for every additional pound.
All the parcels post matter mus
bear the distinctive stamps, soon t.
be issued, and each package mus
bear also the return card of thu
sender. Otherwise the parcel will
not be accepted.
Maps are being prepared by thu
postal authorities designating thu
different eight zones, and showing
the center of each. Perth Amboy
will necessarily be in the anne zont
as New York city il the center O.
that division is located at New Yorl
city or any other place within sc
miles OF this city.
The department stores Of New
York, 1t is believed will cut dowI
their delivery service and substitute
the more economical and %convien'
mailing process. The express com
panies will necessarily suffer, and
perhaps some will retire as 1t is
hardly probable they can compete
with Uncle Sans prices.
Mr.. Pfeiffer has received no in
structions as to the new postal say
ings, but expects to receive the maj
Of zones, stamps, return cards and
and full particulars about the middle
of next month.