The Ely miner., 1913-08-01
: PARCEL CHANGES
Limit will be 20 Lbs. After
August 18th

hC PoStoitSG oNPoi tkuCut all
nounced series of changes in the
operation of the parcel post system
including an increase in the max
imum weight limit on packages, a
reduction in the rates of postage
within the first and second zones,
and the substitution of a convenient
rate chart for the parcel post map
in determining postage rates.
Since the establishment of the
parcel post system numerous re-
quests have been received at the
postoffice department for an in
crease in the maximum weight
limit of packages and corresponding
reduction in the rates of postage.
After weeks of consideration of
the subject. Postmaster General
Burleson submitted to the interstate
commerce commission and obtain
ed its consent to several changes,
which are to be effective on Aug.
18th.
Following are the changes:
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 desposited at any
Office for local delivery or for de-
livery by city carrier or on rural
routes emanating from that post
office.
The second zone shall include
the remainder of what Is now the
first zone, together with the present
second zone, and shall include all
the units of area located in whole
or in part within a radius of ap-
proximately $50 miles from any
given postoffice.
The rate of postage. on parcels
weighing in excess of four ounces
in the first proposed zone, that is,
for local delivery, will be reduced
from 5 cents for the first pound and
l cent for each additional pound or
fraction thereof. to 5 cents for the
first pound and / cent for each
additional two pounds or fraction
thereof.
The rate for proposed second
zone, that is. the territory enrbrac-
ed within a radius of $50 miles
from any given postoffice will be
reduced from S cents for the first
pound and cents for each ad-
ditional pound (the present first
zone rate), or E cents for the first
pound and four cents for each ad-
ditional pound or fraction thereof
(the present second zone rate), to
S cents for the first pound and
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 first and second zones.
No change has been made in the
restrictions as to the size and form
of the package.
Postmaster General Burleson
states that the changes decided upon
are somewhat in the nature of an
experiment, and that it is expected
that experience gained in their.
operation will afford a valuable
basis upon which to predicate flu
ture changes in reducing rates of
postage and in increasing the limit
of weight. The statistics collected
by the department show that at
least one-third of the total number
of parcels are handled within the
first and second zones, now to be
consolidated into one zone.
Under regulations adopted by the
postmaster general the use of dis
tinctive stamps is no longer man
datory. and the public is now per-
mitted to mail parcels with or
binary stamps affixed.
The insurance fee, which origin
ally was 10 cents, was found to be
excessive, and Postmaster General
Burleson has by order, effective
July 1, 1913, reduced to cents the
fee on parcels insured to actual