New-York tribune., 1912-02-23
Postal Commissions Report.

tItSlutul lat dplbbNNN "hN oNAiN ~
Congress the report of the commission on
second class mail matter, recommending
that the rate on magazines and newspapers
be raised from one cent to two cents a
pound.
Postmaster General Hitchcock originally
recommended a four-cent rate, but changed
this to two. The commission finds that the
cost OF handling second class matter Is
about five and half cents a pound. In
approving the two-cent rate, however,
President Taft says that the business Of
the publishers of periodicals has been built
mp on the basis of the one-cent rate, and
therefore it would be manifestly unfair 10
put a larger increase in postage into i'm
mediate effect.
AS to the effect of the proposed increase
from one TO two cents pound. President
Taft quotes from the report Of the commits
sion the following paragraph:
Such an increase Will not. In the opinion
Of the commission, bring distress upon the
publishers of newspapers and periodicals.
or seriously interfere with the dissemina-
tlon of useful news or information. A
reasonable time should be allowed after the
rate is fixed before II is put into effect.
While the news rate will be very far from
compensating the government for the car
riage and handling of second-class matter,
Il will to some extent relieve the existing
burden and result in moro equitable
adjustment 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 development of
the country. Mr.. Taft says. all must admit.
He adds;
But It IS likewise true that the original
purpose of Congress in providing for them
4 subycntion by way OF nominal postal
charges i'm consideration Of their value as
mediums Of public Information ought not
10 prevent an increase, because they are
now not only educational but highly pront-
able There IS no warrant for the great
disparity between existing postage rates
on periodicals and the cost of the service
the government performs Tor mem sai me
wear igiI were SIS, ,S79 S23 60. derived mainly
from the postage collected on the four
classes of mail matter; 1t Is care1Gly eSu.
mated BY the Postofiice Department that
the revenue derived from mail matter OF
the first class ~ approximately one ana
onc-half times the cost OF handins ana
carriage, that the returns from third anu
folrth-class matter are slightly In excess
of their cost of handling and carriage and
that, while second-class matter embraces
over g. per cent of the entlre weight OF
All the mail carried, It, nevertheless, yields
little more than per cent of the postal
revenues.
Cost Of Handling Mails.
The commission was appointed by Presi-
dent Taft, following the controversy caused
hv the Postmaster Generals original rec
concentrations. for increased rates The
matter was taken up by magazine publish
,.rs before committees of Congress, and a
sharp issue was raised as 20 the correct
ness Of the Postoffice Departments figures.
Congress finally passed a joint resolution
authorizing the appointment OF the com
mission. which was made up OF Justice
Charles K. Hughes. Of the Supreme Court;
a. Lawrence Lowell. president OF Harvard
University, and Harry a. Wheeler. presl-
dent Of the Chicago Association OF Com
merce The President says;
'rhe findings OF the commission confirm
fhe view that the cost of handling and
TRANSPORTING second class mall matter Is
greatly in excess OF the postage pald, ana
that an Increase In the rate Is not only JUS
titled BY the facts. but is desirable.
The postal service is now, for the first
time In years operated upon self-sus-
tanning basis, and In my judgment this is
a wise policy; but II should not be carried
Z out at the expense Of certain classes Of mail
matter that pay revenue largely In excess
81 their cost. II is not Just that some
tlasses of mail should be exorbitantly taxed
TO meet deficiency caused by other class
he cost Of handling and carriage. Where
iueh Inequalities exist they should be re-
moved as early az practicable
The proposed increase OF one cent a
pound in the second class postage rates
believe TO be most reasonable, and If sum-
dent time is allowed before the change
koes into effect r. should work little serious
injury TO the business OF the periodical pub