Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1913-07-23
New Series No. 7oo.--Volume IXIv.--No. 80
BETTER PARCEL POST SERVICE
Will Reduce Rates-Weight Limit
Increased to 20 Pounds.

Washington, July 19.-Plans for
extension, Improvement and reduc-
tion in rates of the parcel post were
announced to-day by Postmaster
General Burleson. The changes,
which are to become effective on Au-
gust 15, include an increase from
1 1 pounds to 20 pounds in the maxi
mum weight Of parcels; a material
reduction in the postage rates in the
first and second zones, and the aband-
onment OF the parcel post map as a
means of computing rates and the
substitution for it of rate chart in
dividualized to every post office in
the United States. The plans con-
template the purchase Of large
number Of automobiles to be used
exclusively for the delivery Of parcel
post matter.
While, for the present, the maxi
mum weight of 20 pounds and the re-
duction in rates will apply only to
the first and second zones, from any
given post office-a distance Of about
$50 miles-the changes directed to-
day constitute the first long step to-
wards universal extension Of the
system and a general reduction in
the rates OF postage on parcel mat
ter.
Burleson's Plans.
"It is my expectation and belief"
said Postmaster General EurlesOE,
that eventually-and 1t may be fif-
teen or twenty years-the postal SER
vice will handle practically all Of the
small package transportation busi
ness in the United States. The max
| imum weight limit, extended now
| from II to 20 pounds, expect to see
| increased to 100 pounds, and expert
ence may demonstrate the practica-
bility of handling the parcel business
! at even lower rates than we now pro-
pose.
1 I'm the making of extensions and
reductions OF rates it Is necessary for
us to proceed with caution, so as to
afford ample opportunity to prepare
for the increased business. For that
reason we have made the changes
proposed apply only to the first and
second zones. appreciate fully the
sentiment fors9an increase in the
\ wei elkt limit and n sred diictip on iI rates
| to all zones; but 1t is necessary for
us, in sense, to feel our way"
Announcement of Changes.
Mr.. Burleson announced the
changes as follows.
"The first zone shall include the
territory within the local delivery OF
| any office and the first zone rate of
postage will apply to all parcel post
mail deposited at any office for local
delivery or for delivery by city car
rier or on rural routes. emanating
from that post Office
The second zone shall include the
remainder Of what is now the first
zone together with the present sec
| ond zone, and shall include all the
units Of area located in whole or in
part within a radius Of approximate
ly $50 miles from any given post
office.
The rate of postage on parcels
weighing in excess OF four ounces In
the proposed first zone will be re-
duced from five cents for the first
pound and one cent for each addi-
tional pound or fraction thereof to
five cents for the first pound and one
cent for each additional two pounds
or fraction thereof, and the rate for
the second zone will be reduced from
five cents FOR the first pound and
three cents for each additional
pound, or six cents for the first
pound and four cents for each addi-
tional pound or fraction thereof. to
five cents for the first pound and one
cent for each additional pound or
fraction thereof
Maximum Weight 20 Pounds.
"The maximum weight of parcel
post packages will be increased from
] pounds to 20 pounds, the Increase
OF weight to apply only to the first
and second zones. No change has
been made in the size or form Of the
package"
statistics collected by the depart
ment show that quite one-third OF
the total number Of parcels mailed
are handled within the proposed first
and second zones, and the Postmas-
ter General believes the increase in
the weight limit and the reduction of
the rates of postage in the first and
second zones, as proposed, will bene-
fit greatly more than one-third OF the
public; and that the producer, the
consumer and the local merchant will
profit materially by the changes. He
points out, too, that the farmers, who
were led to anticipate much benefit
from the parcel post service, will be
AFFORDED a cheap means Of transport
ing their products directly to the con-
sumer, and that the local merchant
whose trade does not Justify the en-
ployment Of extensive delivery SER
vice also will be benefited, as the
system will put him in close touch
with his customers.
6OO,OOO,OGO Parcels.
AT the outset 1t was estimated that
100000 parcels would be han
died during the first year Of the ope-
ration of the parcel post system, but
1t now appears from the statistics
that. influenced by the changes pro-
posed to-day, the service will be so
that the number of par 1
cels enrri!snsd Eli riiE IhA s.II,IIiny |