The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-02-03
A new MAIL BOX
Department at Work on a
Larger One.
Necessary Now for the Parcel
Post Business.
AFFECT 10000 g'"e'AS
Congressman Lewis Predicts
End of Express Companies.
'.In Five Years Not Be Com
pany i'm e. So

Washington. Feb. "A committee of
postal officials designated by the post
master general is at work upon plan
for the adoption by the postoffice de-
partment of a uniform design of mail
box for the use of patrons of rural
free delivery and star routes, especial
consideration being given to the needs
of the service in connection with the
parcel post.
A great many different styles of
boxes are now being used by the rural
patrons. and but few of them will ac-
commodate the larger-siZed packages.
Within the next ten days the commit
tee will recommend a new styled mail
box, which when approved, will dis
place all boxes now in use.
There are nearly 1900 rural routes
in the state of Kansas. The average
number of people on a route is 100.
Therefore, in the neighborhood of $780,
600 Kansas farmers and suburbanites
will be affected by the forthcoming
order to change the size and style of
boxes.
Congressman David Lewis, of Mary
land, who is the accredited parcel post
expert in congress, and who is being
mentioned for appointment as post
master general under Wilson, expects
a substantial revision in the parcel
post law soon.
express company in the United States"
declared Mr.. Lewis, in an interview
with the Topeka State Journal cores
pondent. The parcel post will drive
the express companies out of bust
ness he continued, land it will be
good thing for the country, for the
rates now charged by the express COM
panies are exorbitant.'
Mr. Lewis praised the parcel post,
but criticised its present rates as too
high, and added that they would, in
time, be adjusted to meet present eco
nomic conditions and alleviate the bus
mess congestion of the country
AT present" said he "the parcel
post cannot take any package or ar
t1cle that weighs more than II pounds
In the future it will be possible to send
articles through the mail that weigh
100 pounds
While the parcel post received a
goodly share of praise at the hands of
the Maryland congressman, it also
came in for its share of blame By
charts, he showed that in some cases
the rates charged by the postoffice de-
partment were higher than those of the
express companies.
Mr.. Lewis said that the parcel post
rates We're 100 per cent higher than the
cost of handling the merchandise that
went through this channel. and that
the express rates were 200 per cent
mgnef tnan the cost OF handling. He
further said that the ratio between the
freight charges and express charges in
this country is about 16 to- l. but in
nine different countries in Europe the
ratio is about 5 to /.
Lawrence Lebron. Chicago's Oldest
letter carrier, who figures that in his
forty-four years of service he has
walked $4,000 miles gave up his duties
this week and has announced that he
intends to move to Kansas and spend
the balance of his days on farm. He
owns a farm in the sunflower state,
but where it is located is not known
to the departmental officials here.
Kansas postmasters appointed: Rob-
ert Baird, Cassidy: Ira -. Jones,
Wellsford; Frank S. Foster, Ellsworth;
Clarice K. Cheesman, Milan; Joseph T.
Miller, Sublette, Haskell county.
l., w THAVIS