The Kennewick courier. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1905-1914, 1913-07-25
REDUCE PARCEL
POST CHARGES
Weight Limit Increased and Post
age Decreased in First
and Second Zones

Plans for the extension. improve
ment and reduction in rates of the
parcel post have been announced by
Postmaster General Burleson.
The changes, which became
effective July Is, include an in
crease from II pounds to 20 pounds
in the maximum weight of parcels;
a partial reduction in the postage
rates in the first and second zones;
the abandonment of the parcel
post map as means of computing
rates and the substitution for it of
a rate chart individualized to every
post Office in the United States.
1T is my expectation and belief.''
said Postmaster General Burleson,
that eventually, and it may be Is
or 20 years-the postal service ~ill
handle practically all of the small
package transportation business in
the United States. The maximum
weight limit, extended now from II
to 20 pounds, l expect to see in
creased to 100 pounds and exper-
fences may demonstrate the practi-
ability of handling the parcel busi-
ness at even lower rates than We
now propose. I appreciate fully
the sentiment for an increase in the
weight limit and a reduction in
rates to all zones, but is necessary
for us in a sense to feel our way.
For that reason we have made the
changes proposed apply only to the
first and second zones"
Mr.. Burleson announces 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, emanat-
ing from that post office.
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 approx
imately $50 miles from any post
office.
The rate Of postage on parcels
weighing in excess of four ounces in
the proposed first zone will be re-
duced from 5 cents for the first
pound and 1 cent for each additional
pound or fraction thereof to 5 cents
for the first pound and l cent for
each additional two pounds or frac-
tional thereof; and the rate for the
the second zone will be reduced from
5 cents for the first pound and 3
cents for each additional pound, 6
cents for the first pound and 4 cents
for each additional pound or fraction
thereof to 5 cents for the first pound
and 1 cent for each additional pound
or fraction thereof.
The maximum weight of parcel
post packages will be increased from
II pounds to 90 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 packages.
Statistics collected by the depart
ment show that quite one-third OF
the total 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 the 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, the farmers who were
led to anticipate much benefit from
the parcel post service will be afforded
cheap means of transporting their
products directly to the consumer,
and that the local merchant whose
trade does not justify the employ
ment of extensive delivery service
also will be benefited, as the system
will put him in close touch with his
customers.