Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1913-07-25
NEW PARCELS POST
RULES LOWER RATES
AND ADD TO WEIGHT
Maximum Limit to Be 20 Instead
Of II Pounds-First Two
Zones Larger.
BIG BENEFIT TO FARMERS
Enables Them to Ship Produce to
Local Consumers to Far Bet
ter Advantage.

Yer advantage.
WASHINGTON, July 25.-Plans for
duction in rates OF the parcel post were
announced this week by Postmaster
General Burleson. The changes, which
are to become effective August IS, in
clude an increase from / pounds to 30
pounds in the maximum weight of par
GELS a material reduction in the post
age rates in the first and second zones
and the abandonment of the parcel
post map as means of computing
rate chart individualized to every
postOffice in the United States.
Statistics collected by the depart
ment show that one-third of the total
parcels mailed are handled within the
proposed first and second zones, and
the postmaster general believes the in
crease in the weight and decrease in
rates of 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 anticipate much bene-
fit 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 employment
of extensive delivery service also will
be benefited, as the system will put
him in close touch with his customers
While for the present the maximum
weight limit of 20 pounds and the re-
duction in rates will apply only to the
| first and second zones from any given
postoffice-a distance of about $50
miles-the changes directed constitute
the first long step towards universal
extension of the system and a general
reduction in the rates of postage on
parcel matter.
/ ut Is my expectation and belief"
said Postmaster General Burleson,
that eventually-and 1t may be Is or
20 years-the parcel service will han
die practically all of the small package
transportation business in the United
States.
"The maximum weight limit extend
ed now from II to 20 pounds, l expect
to see increased to 100 pounds, and ex-
perience may demonstrate the practi-
cability of handling the parcel business
at even lower rates than we now pro-
pose. l appreciate fully the sentiment
for an increase in the weight limit and
a reduction in rates to all zones, but 1t
is necessary for us, in sense, to feel
our way. For that reason we have
made the changes proposed apply only
to the first and second zones"
Mr.. Burleson announced the changes
as follows:
"The first zone shall include the ter
ritory within the local delivery of any
office and the first zone rate of postage
will apply at any local Office for local
delivery or for delivery by city carrier
or on rural routes emanating from that
postofice.
"The second zones shall include the
remainder Of what is now the first
one. together with the present one,
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.
"The rate of postage on parcels
weighing In excess of four ounces in
the proposed first zone will be reduced
from 5 cents for the first pound and l
cent for each additional pound or frac.
ton thereof, to 5 cents for the first
pound and 1 cent for each additional
two pounds or fraction thereof. and
the rate for the second zone will be re.
duced from cents for the first pound
and cents for each additional pound,
or 6 cents for the first pound and
cents for each additional pound or
fraction thereof, to 5 cents for the first
pound and I cent for each additional
pound or fraction thereof
"The maximum weight of parcel most
packages will be increased from II 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 package"