Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1913-07-22
TO EXTEND PARCELS POST
Postmaster General surleson Hurries
THINGS Forward.

Postmaster General surleson Hurries
Things Forward.
Plans for the extension, improve
ment and reduction In rates of the
Parce! Post were announced last Sat-
urday by Postmaster General Burle-
SON. The changes which are to be-
come effective August Is, include an
increase from IL pounds to 20 pounds
in the maximum weight of parcels; a
material reduction In the postage rates
in the first and second zones, and the
abandonment Of the parcel post map
as means Of computing rates and
the substitution for it Of a rate chart
individualized to every postoffice In
the United States. The plans contem-
plate 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 limit of twenty pounds
and the reduction in rates will apply
only to the first and second zones,
from any given postoffice-a distance
of about $50 miles-the changes di-
rected last Saturday constitute the
first long step towards universal ex-
tension of the system and a general
reduction in the rates Of postage on
parcel matter.
1T is my expectation and belief"
said Postmaster General Burleson,
that eventually-and 1t may be fifteen
or twenty years-the postal service
will handle practically all of the small
package transportation business In
the United States. The maximum
weight limit extended now from IL to
90 pounds. expect to see increased
to 100 pounds, and experience may
demonstrate the practicability OF
handling the parcel business at even
lower rates than we now propose.
Proceed With Caution.
I'm the making Of extensions and
reductions Of rates 1t Is necessary for
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. I appreciate fully the
sentiment for an increase in the weight
limit and a reduction in rates to all
zones but it Is necessary for us, in
sense, to feel our way"
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 carrier
or: on rural routes emanating from
that postoff1ce. ... -..
THE second zone shall include the
remainder of what is now the first
zone together with the present second
zone, and shall include all the units of
area located in whole or In part within
a radius of approximately $50 miles
from any given postofice.
1.-The rate of postage on parcels
weighing in excess Of four ounces In
the proposed first zone will be reduc-
ed from five cents for the first pound
and one cent for each additional 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
additional pound or fraction thereof
to five cents for the first pound and
one cent for each additional pound or
fraction thereof. .. ....4
Maximum Weight Increased.
1.-The maximum weight Of parcel
post packages will be increased from
IL 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 pack
age"
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 postmaster gen.
eral believes the increase In the weight
limit and the reduction of the rates OF
postage in the first and second zones,
as proposed, will benefit 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 an
ticipate much benefit from the parcel
post service, will be afforded a cheap
means of transporting their products
directly to the consumer, and that the
local merch Mt whose trade does not
justify the employment of extensive
delivery service also will be benefited,
as the system will put him in close
touch with his customers.
At the outset II was estimated that
30O,000,O0O parcels would be handled
during the first year Of the operation
of the parcel post system, but 1t now
appears from the statistics that, infiu-
enced by the changes proposed Satur-
day, the service will be so popular
lied that the number Of parcels car
ried during the ensuing twelve months
will be more than double the original
estimate.
The rate sheet, which Is to be used
as substitute for the parcel post
hA q q q
ticable and attached to the parcel post
guide The rate chart to be made for
each separate postoffice will be work.
ed out from the local point Of the unit
in which the postoffice Is located. The
simplicity of the plan, 1t is thought,
will make easily determinable the rate
of postage from that unit to any other
on any mailable parcel and will great
ly facilitate the handling Of parcel
post matter at postoffice windows.
Ordinary Stamps Used Now.
Under regulations recently adopted,
the use of distinctive stamps no longer
is mandatory and the public now Is
permitted to mail parcels with ordi-
nary stamps affixed.
The insurance fee, which originally
was ten cents, was found to be eXces-
sive and an order, effective July /, re-
duced to five cents the fee on parcels
insured to actual value up to $25; and
a ten cent fee Is eXacted only on par
cells insured to actual value Of more
than $25 and not exceeding $50. Un-
der this arrangement the business of
insuring packages has more than
doubled, particularly in the sending of
valuable merchandise.
During the present month an i'm
mense business has been built up in
the handling of parcels forwarded un-
der the c. o. D. regulation inaugural
ed July l, 1913, which is said to be
proving popular not only among mer-
chants but among the people general
ly.
Postal experts estimate that with
the proposed changes in the parcels
post system in operation, the revenues
of the postoff1ce department will be so