The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1913-05-02
WOULD ENLARGE
|! !! POST TO
1-OO-LB. LIMIT
Geo. =. Hampton. of New York,
Plans to Make II Express
Service
SAYS DETROIT MEN
MADE NEW SYSTEM
Gives j. l.. Hudson and F. +.
Ingram Credit for Its Es-
Enlistment

DetIOll men LOOK the INITIATIVE III
the movement that inaugurated the
parcel post, and they will be in the
forefront OF the movement TO Increase
its efficiency said George r. Hamp-
! ton. OF New York, secretary OF the
Postal Express federation, of which
the late Joseph l.. Hudson was pres!-
dent. and Of whose executive commit
tee Frederick F. Ingram is chairman.
MIR. Hampton arrived In Detroit,
Wednesday, and conferred with Post
master Warren on the operation or
the parcel post in Detroit. He Will
address a meeting in the Hotel Girls
void at 1890 o'clock, Friday after
noon, OF those interested in the fur.
Their development OF the parcel post.
Mr.. Warren and Verne c. Washer. SUI
perintendent of the parcel post di-
vision OF the Detroit postoffice, Will
also speak.
The parcel post Is a tremendous
success" said Mr.. Hampton to The
Times. ''Tts reports for the first three
months of operation showed gains or
100000 packages a month. and
understand that the fourth month
report will show an even greater IN
crease. But II can be still further de-
veloped.
1.-THE Parcel Express federation is
working to make the institution an
express rather than a postal service.
1t aims to increase the weight limit
from IL pounds to 100 pounds. to span
the gap between the present limit and
the lowest feright limit. II aims 10
decrease rates. for l believe II can be
demonstrated that the present rates
are too high, and 1t should be the
governments object not to make
money on the parcel post. but to oper-
ate at cost. Instances can be shown
where the prcsen 80
four times the actual cost OF service.
THE federation Is also working for
a reduction of the cost OF insuring
packages, and for notifications OF the
rules governing wrapping and pack
ing.
Detroit business men demonstrate
ed their progressveness by being the
first In the country to take the move
ment for parcel post in hand and
organize it. Before the formation or
the Parcel Express federation, the
movement was spasmodic and erratic.
The Detroit men furnished the money
and the energy To make 1t coherent.
Probably the last great public work
In which Mr.. Hudson engaged was
this work for the parcel post; and
the decoration felt that so much credit
was due him that al MS death II de-
clined 20 fill the vacancy in its presi-
dency. II Is very probable thataan-
other Detroit man will be chosen
president when plans for the continual
ton OF the campaign OF development
have proceeded little further.
when the business men OF Spo-
kane became enthusiastic over our
plans, a few weeks ago. and decided
to aid the federation. told them that
II they were hoping for advertising,
they must play second fiddle to De-
troit, which fostered the movement
and Is still the leader in the scheme
Of development.
THE parcel post has demonstrated
that while the express companies may
be more efficient in the long haul. the
post can knock the spots of them In
the short haul This Is largely due
to their different methods OF doing
business. The express companies,
which contract with the railroads on
q so per cent basis, find that they
must charge comparatively high rates
for short distances. The parcel post.
with its railroad rate OF approximate
~ nine cents a ton mile, finds that
It's hauling cost does not amount TO
much until the distance runs into
hundreds Of miles
"This means that the parcel post,
or parcel express, as we want to
make 1t. Is the logical cheap method
OF shipment for distances Of 100 miles
or under; and the volume OF business
which the wholesale houses Of the big
cities do under 100 miles Is immense.
With the weight limit increased to 100
pounds. the efficiency of the parcel
post to these houses, and to retail
houses with country customers. would
be enormously increased. The gov
ernment has the facilities, and needs
only to be convinced that the service
can be. cheaply and effectively main
tanned.
Nothing succeeds like success. The
people who petitioned congress
against the parcel post have been edu-
Gated in its use until now they are It's
most enthusiastic supporters We
need their backing to persuade the
p0stmaster-general and the Interstate
Commerce commission, given author
ity by congress to make changes In
the regulations. TO institute a broader
system.
Though America is a country OF
large distances, ! believe that even
now we have better and more eff.
ficient parcel post than any country
in Europe. When we have developed
II TO Its greatest possible extent. we
shall have an organization OF incom-
parable efficiency and service The
rural end OF the parcel express is still
= In its infancy The farmers have not
yet had chance to use 1t for the
marketing of their products but I'M
der new weight ruIes and packing reg.
ulations they ought TO increase It's
business greatly"