The Fargo forum and daily republican., 1913-08-13
POUNDS
BY PARCEL POST
NEW REGULATIONS IN EFFECT
FRIDAY--MAY BE EXTENDED
FuRTH TO POINTS
IN THE FIRST AND SECOND
ZONES MATERIALLY REDUCED.

Instructions have been received at
the local postoffice to the effect that
packages weighing to twenty pounds,
VIII be received for shipment by par
eel post after Friday. Aug. Is.
Plans for the extension, improve
ment and reduction in rates Of the
parcel post have been received from
Postmaster General Burleson.
The changes, which are to become
effective on Aug. Is, include an in
crease from eleven pounds to twenty
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 a means of com
putting rates and the substitution for
it Of a. rate chart individualized to
every postoffice in the United States.
Autos to BE Used. H..
The plans contemplate 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 reduction in rates will apply only
to the first and second zones, from
any given postofflce-a distance of
about $50 miles-the changes direct
ed constitute the first long step to-
Vol Us q universal 6&LSuSlOn Tue
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 it may be- fifteen
or twenty years-the postal service
will handle transportation business in
the United States. The maximum
weight limit extended now from eleven
to twenty pounds, expect to see in
creased to 100 pounds, and experience
may demonstrate the practicability of
handling the parcel business at even
lower rates than we now propose.
Must Proceed With Caution.
Tn 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. l 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 a sense to feel our way"
Mr.. Burleson announced the Chang
es as follows:
"The first zone shall include the ter
ritory within the local delivery of any
office and the first zone rate of post
age will apply to all parcel post mail
deposited at any Office for local de-
livery or for delivery by city carriers
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 radius of approximately $50
miles from any given postoffice.
The rate Of postage on parcels
weighing in excess of four ounces in
the proposed first zone will be reduc-
ed from cents for the first pound
and cent for each additional pound
or fraction thereof to cents for the
first pound and / cent for each addi-
tional two. pounds or fraction thereof,
and the rate for the second zone will
be reduced from 5 cents for the first
pound and cents for each additional
pound, or s cents for the first pound
and cents for each additional pound
or fraction thereof to cents for the
first pound and cent for each addi-
tional pound or fraction thereof.
Maximum Weight Twenty Pounds.
THE maximum weight of parcel
post packages will be increased from
eleven pounds to twenty pounds, the in
crease of weight to apply only to the
first and second zones. No change has
been made in the. size or form of the
packages"
Statistics collected by the depart
ment shown that one third of the total
number of parcels mailed are han
died within the proposed first and Sec
ond zones, and the postmaster 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 greatly benefit
more people. .....