New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-07-23
PARCEL POST CHANGES
OPPOSED IN CONGRESS
Postmaster General Called to
Explain His Authority in lSSu.
ina Order Reducing Rates.
BITTER CONTEST AHEAD
Both Parties Agree Changes
Should Be Left to Congress
Express Companies
Only Losers.

Washington, July 22.--Concerted opposi-
ton has developed in Congress TO Post
master General Burleson's order reducing
parcel post rates and increasing the
maximum size Of packages 10 be handled
I'm the service The order was issued on
Sunday. 10 become effective on August 10,
and to-day the Senate Postofiice Commit
tee requested Mr.. Burleson TO appear be-
fore the committee next Thursday with
an explanation OF the authority for his
action.
This was the first step in what promises
TO be bitter contest. When the Post
master General has been heard the COM
mttee is expected 10 undertake 10 have
withdrawn before August 5 any authority
he may claim Congress has given him TO
change rates and sizes. II was contended
| in the committee that the proposed
changes would entail an enormous loss TO
/ the government. and some Of the members
complained that the Postofiice Depart
ment bad failed to furnish Congress with
data concerning the operation Of the
parcel post. Apparently there was no
difference OF opinion in the committee as
\
/ change the rates. Democrats and Republi-
cans agreeing that only Congress ought 10
/ have this power.
The controversy has aroused extraor-
binary interest at the Capitol and in Of
! fetal circles. since the parcel post touches
more or less directly nearly everybody in
the country.
Those who are supporting the Postmas-
| ter General I'm his stand insist that the
/ only loss imminent under the proposed
| changes would be TO the express COM
/ panics. which now carry the proit-mak-
| ing. large size packages while the gov
eminent transports the Improbable small
ones
Although members OF the committee
! contend that II is a mere ungrammatical
| tumble OF words without sense or power.
! department officials say the Postmaster
| General is given ample authority for his
order by the following section Of the
parcel post law.
THE classification Of articles maiable.
as well as the weight limit. the rates OF
postage. zone or zones and other condi-
tons OF AVAILABILITY under this act II the
Postmaster General shall find on expert
ence that they, or any OF them. are such
As 10 prevent the shipment Of articles de-
sirable. or 10 permanently render the cost
OF the service greater than the receipts
Of the revenue therefrom. he Is hereby
authorized. subject 10 tho consent OF the
Interstate Commerce Commission. after
! investigation. 60 reform from time 10 time
such classification. weight limit. rates.
zone or zones or conditions. or either in
order 20 promote the service TO the public
or 10 insure the receipt OF revenue from
such service adequate 10 pay the cost
| thereof"
This language VAS put into tho bill in
conference Just at the close Of Congress
The enactment Of the bin was DELAYED
for time by Senator Bryan. OF Florida
who objected TO the proposal 10 allow the
Postmaster General TO increase rates.
Senator Bryan on April Is last intro
duccd a bill to repeal the clause In ques-
uon. and after Sir. Burleson's appear
ance he will urge q favorable report upon
this measure.
Some members OF the committee con-
tend that other clauses I'm the bill show
Congress never dreamed" the rates and
sizes agreed on by them should be low
cred So quickly after the law was put
into operation They point TO the crea-
ton OF joint committee 10 inquire into
the subject OF general parcel post. not
only as evidence that Congress intended
the rates should stand while the com
mttce was at work. but that Congress
believed 1t was the power 10 change the
rates and sizes.