Alma record., 1913-07-24
PARCEL POST RATES
To Be Decreased And Weight Limit
Increased

A Washington Press dispatch un-
der date of July 10, said plans for
the extension, Improvement and re-
duction in rates OF the parcel post
eral Burleson. The changes, which
are to become effective on August
Is, include an increase from IL to 20
pounds in the maximum weight OF
parcels a material reduction III the
postage rates in the first and second
zones, and the abandonment OF the
parcel post map as means OF COM
putting rates and the substitution for
it of a rate chart individualized to
every postoffice in the United States.
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 weight limit of 20 pounds and
the reduction in rates will apply only
to the first and second zones, from
any given postoffice-a distance of
about $50 miles-the changes direct
ed today constitute the first long
step towards a universal extension OF
the system and 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 Is
or 20 years-the postal service will
handle practically all of the small
package transportation business in
the United States. The maximum
weight limit, extended now from IL
to 20 pounds, | expect to see in
creased to 100 pounds, and expert
ence may demonstrate the practical
bility of handling the parcel business
at even lower rates than we now pro-
pose.
In 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 reduction in rates
to all zones, but it is necessary for
US, in a sense, to feel our way"
Mr.. Burleson announced 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 car
rier or on rural routes emanating |
from that postoffice.
The second zone shall include the
remainder Of what is now the first |
zone together with the present sec
ond 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 re-
duced from five cents for the first |
pound and one cent for each addi-
tional pound or fraction thereof to
five cents for the first pound and one
cent for each additional two pounds
or fraction thereof and the rate for
the second zone will be reduced from
hve cents for the first pound and
three cents for each additional pound
or six cents for the first pound and
fovr cents for each additional pound
or fraction thereof to five cents for
the first pound and one cent for each
additional pound or fraction thereof.
"The maximum weight of parcel
post packages will be increased from
eleven pounds to twenty 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 the package"
Statistics collected by the depart
ment show that quite one-third of