Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1912-02-24

private companies.
cannot speak with too great emnha
sis OF the Improvement in the postotfit 81
department under the present manage
ment. The cutting down Of cost. the
shortening Of methods and the increase
In efficiency are shown by the statistics
of the annual report
One OF the most important matters
referred ~ ~ s%n postmaster general
is the proposed fixing of new rates OF
postage for second class mail matter.
In connection with this subject / have
the honor to transmit herewith the re-
port of the commission on second class
mail matter. appointed pursuant to a
Joint resolution of the Sixty-frst con.
gross, approved Marrh 4, 1911.
The commission consists of Hon
Charles II. Hughes, associate justice
States; President A. Lawrence Lowell
of Harvard university and Mr.. Harry
A. Wheeler. president of the Assoaia
ton of Commerce of the city Of Chi
cago, whose character. ability and ex-
perience command for their findings
and recommendations the respect and
confidence OF the congress and the
country.
The report discloses most exhaus-
tive and critical inquiry into the sub
ject of second class mail matter after
adequate notice to all the parties In
interest. Extensive hearings were held
by the commission. at which the post
master general and the second and
third assistant postmasters general APP
peared and submitted formal state
ments presenting the various conten-
tons of the postotiice department, to-
gether with all the relevant official
data and evidence relating to the cost
OF handling and transporting second
class mail matter. Certain of the lead
Ing magazines were represented by
counsel. while various other publica-
tons appeared by representatives and
were heard In oral argument or permit
ted to submit written briefs setting
forth their respective reasons for OPP
posing change in the present postage
rate on second class mail. The second
and third assistant postmasters gen
eral. together with minor officers of the
department. were critically cross exam
ined by the counsel and representa-
tives Of the periodicals., and all the
various phases of the second class post
age problem were made the subject of
a most painstaking investigation.
Says Increase 10 justified.
The findings of the commission con-
firm the view that the cost OF handling
and Transporting second class mail
matter is greatly In excess of the post
age paid and that an increase in the
rate is not only justified by the facts.
but is desirable.
The commission reports that the evi.
dence submitted for its consideration is
sufficient to warrant finding of the
approximate cost of handling and
transporting the several classes of sec
ond class mail known as paid at the
pound rate. free in county and tran
sient matter in so far as relates to the
services OF transportation. postofiice
cars, railway distribution. rural deliv-
cry and certain other items OF cost, but
that II Is without adequate data to de-
terminc the cost OF the general post.
Office service and also what portion Of
the cost OF certain other aggregate
services is properly assignable to sec
0nd class mail matter. II finds that in
the fiscal year 1908. the period for
which the statistics for the postofiice
department were compiled. the cost OF
handling and transporting second class
mail in the items Of transportation.
postoffice cars. railway distribution. ru-
raj delivery and certain miscellaneous
charges was approximately 6 cents a
pound for paid at the pound rate mat
ter and for free In county and transient
matter each approximately : cents q
pound and that upon this basis. as
modified by subsequent reductions in
the cost of railroad transportation the
cost of paid at the pound rate matter
for the services mentioned is now APP
proximately 5h cents pound. while
the cost OF free In county and transient
matter remains NJ formerly namely,
each Mt approximately cents pound
Since the commission has determined
that the cost Of handling and trans
porting second class mail is approx
mately 81 cents for matter paid at
the pound rate and approximately 3
cents each for free in county aud tran
silent matter. without taking lnFo ac
count the cost Of the general pos Office
service and certain unassignable ienis
Of expense. II is apparent thai The 60
gregate cost OF all service peri raei
by the postal establishment IN come
ton with this class II mail matter j.
considerably above thyt uunun
Postal Service Self susta,nrv
The postal service loW
first time In years operated ul
sustaining basis and IN my
this Is "a wise policy, but b
be carried out at the expeus
classes OF mail matter th0t
nue. largely IN excess Of THOR