The Mena weekly star., 1913-07-24
PARCEL POST RATES
 ARE GOING DOWN
Maximum Weight of Packages Will Also Be Raised From Eleven to Twenty POundS-Other Re-
 auctions to Follow.

" dSnlng1On, July 1J.-PlanS lOr the extension, improvement and re- ductiOn in rates of the parcel post were announced today by POstmas- ter General Burleson. The changes which are to become effective Au- gust l5 include an increase from fl pounds to 20 pounds in the maxi mum weight of parcels and a ma terial reduction in the postage rates in the first and second zones The parcel post map is to be aban- doned as a means of computing rates and the substitute for it is a rate chart individualized to every postof1ice in the United States.
 The plans also contemplate the purchase of a large number of au- tomobiles to be used exclusively for the delivery of parcel post matter.
 Other Reductions to Follow.
 While, for the present, the maxi mum weight limit of 20 pounds and the reduction in rates will apply only to the first and second zones from any given pOstotfice-a dist ance of about 150 miles-the changes directed today constitute the first long step towards a uni versal extension of the system and a general reduction in the rates of postage on parcel matter.
 Tt is my expectation and belief, said Postmaster General Burleson, that eventually the postal service will handle practically all of the small package transportation busi- ness in the United States. The maximum weight limit, extended now from fl to 20 pounds, I expect to see increased to 100 pounds, and experience may demonstrate the practicability of handling the par eel business at even lower rates than we now propose.
 Must Go Slowly.
 Tn the making of extensions and reduction 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 appreCi- ate fully the sentiment for an in crease 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 will 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 ema- hating from that postotfice.
 The second zone will include the remainder of what is now the first zone, with the present second zone, and will include all of the units of area located in whole or in part within a radius of l50 miles from any given postof1tce.
 Rates Cut in Half.
 The rate of postage on parcels weighing in excess of four ounces in the first zone will be reduced from five cents for the first pound and one cent for each additional pound or fraction to five cents for he first pound and one cent for each additional two pounds or fraction thereof. The rates for the second zone will be reduced to five cents for the first pound and one cent for each additional pound or fraction thereof up to 20 pounds"
 Statistics collected by the depart- ment show that one-third of the to- tai number of parcels mailed are handled within the proposed first l. and second zones. and the postmas- ter general believes the increase in 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.
 Farmer Will Profit.
 The producer, the consumer and the local merchant will profit ma terially by the changes. He points out, too, that the farmers, who were led to anticipate much bene- lt from the parcel post service, will be afforded a cheap means of transporting their products directly to the consumer and that the local merchant whose trade does not justify the employment of exten- siye delivery also will be benefited. as the system will put him in close touch with his customers.
 New Rate Sheets to Be Made.
 The rafe sheet. which is to be used as a substitute for the parcel |po,l map, will be prepared as soon as practicable and attached 10 the Iparcel post guide. The rate chart to be made for each separate post office will be worked out from the focal point of the unit in which the IpoStotlice is located. The simplic- | ity of the plan, it is thought. will
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