Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1913-08-21
DEPARTMENT RECEIVES MANY
ASSURANCES OF CORRECT.
NESS OF EXTENSION.
PARCELS UP TO 100 POUNDS
IN PLANS OF suRLEsoN
Postmaster General Hopes to Extend
System and increase Maximum
Weisht-LittIs Sympathy for Ex-
press Companies Heard Insurance
Feature Not Generally Understood.
Especial Correspondence

Washington, Aug. 21.-Criticism to
the contrary Notwithstanding, Post
master General Burleson and his aides
are hearing from every source that the
country is approving the extension Of
the parcel post service which became
effective Aug. 10. 1t is we'll understood
this order is the forerunner of other
changes calculated to extend the scope
of the service and that the post
master general is looking to the time
when parcels up to 100 pounds can be
carried. Moreover, there is no doubt
the interstate commerce commission
approves OF the gradual broadening OF
the scope Of the system. with enlarge
ment Of the size Of the packages which
can be carried.
Express Companies Too Late.
The time was not long ago when the
express companies probably could
have turned their property over to the
government. But that time has ap-
parently gone by. Indications now are
that the express companies from year
TO year will find their business grad
ualIy but surely undermined by the
parcels post system. In congress, one
can hunt almost in vain to find any
sympathy for the express companies.
From merchants. business men. con-
sumers and many sources postonice
department officials are apprtsed OF
constantly growing tendency on the
part Of the public to use the parcels
post. Washington merchants. for IN
stance, are using II more and more 70
send out packages to customers living
in nearby suburban districts, ana the
tendency is for more goods ana pro-
Ducts to be sent into town from the
country and suburban regions.
Postal officials and others who have
been watching the progress OF the par
eel post system think the public -
more and more being educated to use
II. and to get away from the express
company habit.
Insurance Feature Valuable.
At the same time, there are many
things about the parcel post system
, which are not generally understood, or.
| il known, are not thought Of by many
people when they want to send parcels.
| For instance, the insurance feature OF
! the system is one which many over
look. The regulations in this respec'
are that a mauable parcel on which
the postage Is fully prepaid may be IN
| sured against loss in an amount not
| exceeding SIS on payment OF lee
of 5 cents, and for $50 on payment o.
a fee of 30 cents. A return receipt vii
be furnished II desired. Parcels for
Canada, Cuba, Mexico and Panama
can not be insured but may be regis
tered. Parcels for the Philippines ana
the canal zone may be insured but IN
demnity is allowed only when the loss
occurs in the service OF the United
| states. The insurance is given by the
government at such a low rate that II
Is cheaper than registration and n
doubt will be widely availed OF by th<
public az it Is more fully understood
Another feature Of the system - the
one that provides for collection on oe'
livery OF the value Of parcels up e
500. This c.. o. D. system may pt
combined with the insurance OF tne
package, UP to $50, and Is one OF the
conyeniences Of the parcels post wh1cf
officials expect to see moro and more
employed the more fully the pubic
knows about IT.