Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1912-12-05
Preparing For Parcels Post.


cally to have the new parcels post or
postal express system ready for opera
ton by January I, the date fixed by law
for its beginning.
In preparing for the operation OF the
new system the postal authorities have
encountered task OF great magnitude.
There must be ready for use enough rural
and city mail wagons, express cars and
employees TO handle the business, the ex-
tent of which at first can only be estimat-
ed.
One hundred thousand special scales
have to be provided, new issue of pos
tai service stamps, ranging from cent to
ST. in denomination, designed and printed
and hampers and boxes for the parcels
secured. The Postoffice Department is
having engraved over 100000 maps for
use at the offices throughout the country,
showing the distance zones within which
different rates apply.
The extent of the system which will be
put into effect the first OF the year can be
appreciated when one considers that the
parcels post plan will not only cover
every line of transportation in the country
now reached by the express companies
but will be in operation everywhere mail
is carried. This, il is estimated, will pro-
vide postal express service TO more than
100000 miles of rural free delivery not
now reached by any of the express sys-
tens.
The new government service, designed
to facilitate the dispatch OF packages as a
part OF the national postal business, will
be simple enough for the general public.
All that will be necessary will be to take
a bundle to the postoffice, have it weigh
ed and attach thereto the proper stamp.
The postal authorities will take care OF
the rest.
The parcel post law provides:
"That hereafter fourth-claSS mail mat
ter shall embrace all other matter, includ-
ing farm and factory products, not now
embraced by law in either the first, Sec
ond or third class, not exceeding eleven
pounds in weight, nor greater in size than
seventy-two inches in length and girth
combined, nor in form or kind likely TO
iniure the person of any postal employee
or damage the mail equipment or other
mail matter and not of character perish
able within period reasonably required
for transportion and delivery"
For the purpose OF carrying this law
into effect the United States is divided in
TO eight zones with different rates OF pos
tage applicable TO each. Packages up to
II pounds can be sent. To carry one
pound parcel in the first zone would cost
five cents and in the eighth zone twelve
cents.
II will be observed that the rates OF
postage are largely reduced and The limit
of weight is increased from four TO eleven
sounds. Parcels will be delivered at all
free delivery offices and TO patrons resid-
ing on rural and star routes; they may
be registered and may be accorded spec
ial delivery service on payment OF the
usual fee, and they may be insured against
loss in an amount equivalent to their ac-
tual value not to exceed $25 upon pay
ment OF a fee OF five cents. Distinctive
stamps must be used on all parcels, but
that may be mailed in quantities OF not
less than 1000 identical pieces without
stamps affixed, the postage being paid in
money.
Each postmaster has been provided
with circulars which set forth in detail all
the provisions of the parcels post law,
rates OF postage and an explanatory
statement concerning the delivery OF par
GELS post matter. Attention also is direct
ed to the fact that much matter may be
registered and also insured against loss.