The citizen., 1913-06-27
WHAT WILL MR.. LEWIS DO?

The Congressman from this Congress
slonal District is trying 10 simplify and
improve the parcel post system to carry
his ideas to their logical conclusion and to
make the system as effective as possible,
Mr.. Lewis IN his brief address to the
JOINT Committee on General Parcel Post
summarized his programme-the pro-
gramme which it lies in the power OF the
Postmaster General to fulil-as follows:
I. Reduce express rates by one-half
through system OF postal express.
?. Lay the foundation for new indus
try-the suburban gardener, who can
utilize the system to market his products,
relieved of the largely prohbitive burden
OF purchasing and maintaining an uneco-
nomC transportation system of his own.
5. Clear out stopped up" conduits
through which, when cleared, farm and
other products may flow direct from pro-
duCer to consumer, giving the consumer
the benefit of the farm and factory prices,
plus the mere cost of transportation by
merely ordering direct, and thus furnish
ing what Mr.. Lewis calls competitive
determlnant" or market price levels for
such products, approximately farm and
factory prices plus transportation costs.
That is to say, if the present weight
limit, excessive rates, and other reStrlc-
tons should be removed by Mr. Burle-
son, city family could order eggs, fowl,
butter, country sausages and hams, APP
pies, etc, direct from the farm and pay
nothing but farm prices plus transporta
ton. Under the new rates suggested by
MIR. Lewis-the rates at which the Gov
Of NAr
Cent-it is calculated that as pounds of
farm produce could be transported by
parcels post 100 miles at a transportation
expense OF IS cents. The saving which
would be effective to the consumer by
this means would be tremendous. One
example may be given A forty.iive
pound lot of fresh vegetables, eggs and
meats, for which the consumer ordinarily
pays S5.75, though the price at the farm
is only s.. 90, could be delivered at the
kitchen door for S515-wel under even
the wholesale price in the market, as at
present reckoned.
As Mr.. Lewis says this great pro-
gramme." But it was the President who
said: I'VE have set ourselves a great pro-
gramme and it will be great party that
carries it out. 1t must be party with
out entangng alliances with any special
interest whatever. Ii must have the spirit
and the point of vieW of the new age
The Postmaster General has shown no
disposition to cut down the present ex-
cessive parcel post rates and to extend
the usefulness OF this service to the cour-
try. Mr.. Burleson. OF course has not the
time to study the parcel post question as
it should be studied. His information on
the subject comes officially from a de
partmental committee. composed in part,
OF men who have held over from the last
administration These men are acting, it
IS believed on the safe aud sane theory
that people whose positions are not com
pletely secure should make no radical
suggestions to their superiors aud that it
is better to do the work merely required
OF them than to attempt to start new work
which might not be received with enthu-
siasm by the big chief There is, there
fore vicious circle beginning and end
ing with the Postmaster General The
problem which confronts Mr.. Lewis and
other advocates of less eXorbitaut rates
is, how to break into this circle, how, in
short, 10 force Mr.. Burleson's hand and
get him to make full use OF the clause Of
the act creating a parcel post above
quoted.