The Washington herald., 1913-07-20
RATES ARE CUT
ON PARCEL POST
Fnist and Second Zone Reduc-
lions Ordered BY Post
master General
WEIGHT LIMIT INCREASED
Cevesnneat Charts Issued n Order
hat Postage Easily May
Be Determined.

Postmaster General Burleson yester-
day announced series OF changes in
the operation of the parcel post system.
including an increase In the maximum
weight limit of packages. a reduction
In the rates Of postage within the first
and second zones. and the substitution
of a convenient rate chart for the par
eel post map In determining postage
rates.
Since the establishment Of the parcel
post system, numerous requests have
been received at the Postoffice Depart
ment for an increase in the maximum
weight limit of packages. and a corre-
spending reduction In the rates Of post
age. The act Of August a. 1912. estab-
fishing the system. authorizes the Post
master General. with the consent OF the
Interstate Commerce Commission. after
investigation. to change from time to
time, in his discretion, the classification,
weight limit. rates. zone or zones. or any
Of them. in order to improve the service
to the public.
Commission Gives Approval. y
After weeks OF consideration of the
subject, Postmaster General Burleson
submitted to the Interstate Commerce
Commission, and obtained its consent to
the following changes. wich are to De
effective on August l5:
The first zone shall include the terri
tuy within the local delivery OF ary
ofice and the first zone rate of postage
will apply to all parcel post mail de-
posted at any Office for local delivery Or
for delivery by city carrier or on rur.il
routes emanating from that postofice-
The second zone shall include the re-
mainder of what Is now the hrst 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 approximately $50 miles from
any given postoffice.
The rate of postage on parcels weiga-
ing In excess OF four ounces in the pro-
posed first zone. that is. for local deliv-
cry. will be reduced from cents for
the first pound and 2 cents for each ad
ditional pound or fraction thereof to 5
cents TO rthe first pound and ] cent
for each additional two pounds or frac-
tion thereof The rate for the proposed
second zone. that is. the territory en-
braced within a radius Of $50 miles from
any given postoffice, will be reduced from
5 cents for the first pound and s
cents for each additional pound (the
present first zone rate) or cents for
the first pound and cents for each
additional pound or fraction thereof (tks
present second zone rate) to 8 cents
for the first pound and l cent for each
additional pound or fraction thereof.
Nine Pounds Increase.
The maxim weight of parcel post pack
ages 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 mad,
In the restrictions as to the size ard
form Of the package
Postmaster General Burieson estimates
to the full the sentiment in favor of a
general increase in the weight limit and
reduction in rates to all zones, but be-
lieves that caution should be exercised
IN the extension Of the system, SO as
to AFFORD the department ample oppor-
tunity to prepare for the increased bur-
dens placed upon it.
The changes decided upon by the Post
master General are somewhat in the ma
ture of an experiment and 1t Is expected
that the experience gained in their oper.
alton will afford a valuable basis upon
which to predicate future changes in re-
ducing rates Of postage and increasing
the limit of weight. Statistics collected
by the department show that at least
of the total number of par
cells are handled within the first and
second zones now to be consolidated into
one zone.
1t is the belief of the Postmaster Cen
eral that the increase in the weight limit
and the reduction of the rates of postage