Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1912-08-22
LEWIS SCORES VICTORY
His Parcels Post Amendment
Substituted For Bourne Plan.

Congressman David }. Lewis, of
Maryland, won victory last Friday
for the creation by the Government
of an elaborate parcels post system or
modified postal express" after a
bitter parliamentary battle between
Democratic and Republican leaders.
When the Postoilice Appropriations
bill az passed by the Senate with the
Bourne parcels post amendment came
up in the House the Bourne rider"
was virtually stricken out and a sub
stitute, prepared by Mr.. Lewis and
offered by Judge Moon, chairman OF
the House PostotiicG Committee, was
in effect approved by a vote OF IL to
Sc, strictly party lineup.
The bill was sent to conference with
iron. clad instructions to report the
LeWis-Moon parcels post substitute
for the Bourne plan.
The Lewis-Moon substitute con-
tains all the provisions which Mr.
Lewis has been fighting for since he
has been in Congress except that OF
Government absorption of the express
companies. The Lewis measure takes
in as fourth-class matter farm pro-
duets. which the Bourne bill rXclud-
ed. 1t also includes books and all
matter commonly shipped by express
companies. 1t sets Is pounds as a
limit in weight, which may be raised
to any amount by the Postmaster
General if he sees fit. The Bourne
bill fixes | / pouLd s as the maximum.
The Lewis bill provides collect ON de-
livery system, whereby the l,Sale
and retail merchant can ship goods
collect on delivery, as do the express.
companies. The Bourne bill has no
provision of this kind. The Lewis
measure provides for an insurance
system by which shippers may he in
IDENTIFIED for losses, whereas the
Bourne bill lacks this feature.
The Bourne bill practically pro
vides that railroads shall be paid II
cents ton mile for carrying pack
ages. The Lewis bill specifies that
the Government shall pay no more
than the express companies, whose
rate is said to be- I cents ton mile.
The Lewis substitute provides prac-
tically an average rate up to 500 miles
which is 20 per cent lower than the
average rate for the same distance in
the Bourne bill. The Lewis rate will
also average 30 per cent lower than
the express rates up to 500 miles.
The bills apply different systems
in fixing zones. The Bourne bill zones
are fixed by degrees Of longitude and
latitude, those of the Lewis bill by
distances $50 miles from the point OF
shipment. Parcels originating in a
"locaI' zone shall pay 5 cents til,
first pound or fraction thereof and
cent for each additional pound
There are also rates for fractions OF
pounds in the Lewis bill, while tn,
Bourne bill charges full pound rat,
for fraction of pounds.
The local. zone includes con.
tiguous county not more than 1OC
miles distant, the distance being
measured from one county seat to
the other. Beyond the local" or
originating zone the charge is 6 cents
for the first pound, cents for each
additional pound when packages are
destined to 60 beyond the next l5C
mile point from the originating post
office. For "A point 300 miles distant
the rate is cents for tire first pound
and cents for each additional pound
$50 miles s and cents; GOO miles
and cents; $50 miles 10 and {
cents; 900 miles / and 7 cents
1850 miles II and s cents. y,
higher rate than "l2 cents can b,
charged for the first pound, but fol
each additional pound the rate shall
be increased according to $50 mil,
points.