The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1913-02-03
BiliOusness
. IL Cured by (
: HOODS PILLS !
. 26c.
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subjects which have developed since De
cember /, and, consequently, the post
master generals. consideration OF the
parcel post has to do only with the
i preliminary work of establishing the new
system, which went into effect on Jan
uary |. Tentatively, however, he rec
ommends not only that the parcel post
rates be reduced, but that the weight
of packages be increased to a point above
| the maximum weight of eleven pounds.
On this subject the report says,
while the postage rates for the new
parcel post system range considerably
lower than corresponding express
charges, it is believed that experience
will show them to be higher in somc
instances than is necessary in order to
maintain the service Mt cost. Likewise,
the restriction that places an ll.pomd
limit on the weight of parcels mailed
should be regarded as merely tentative.
After the system is thoroughly organ.
lied on that basis the scope of the
service in its usefulness to the public
should be still further enlarged by in.
ereasing the weight limit. If properly
developed under efficient management,
the parcel post will prove to be most
important factor in reducing the cost of
living"
Perhaps the most important recon-
mendation contained in the report is
that the third and fourth classes oi
mail be consolidated so that books and
other printed matter may be forwarded
by parcel post. AT present the postage
charges for these two classes of mail
bear no fixed ratio to each other. For
certain weights and zones the parcel post
rates are lower than the third class
rates, while in other cases they are
higher.
This condition. it is pointed out in
the report SIS likely to result in much
confusion and should not exist. Pack
ages containing books or catalogues do
not differ in any essential particular
from other parcels and they should be
handled by parcel post. Prior to the
enactment Of the parcel post law the
department urged that these two classes |
Of mail be consolidated, and the rec
of such action is now re-
newed.'
The report directs attention to the
approval of the commission, headed by
Associate Justice Hughes, of the United
y
departments recommendation that the
postage rate on second class mail be in
creased from | cent to 2 cents pound.
In the opinion OF the postmaster general
favorable action by Congress on the re-
port OF the commission would be
step towards the proper adjustment OF
postal charges.
There is widespread popular inter-
'st" the report says, lin the plan to
over the postage charge on letters from
cents to cent an ounce. The pro-
,osed increase in the second class rate
would pave the way for this change,
making it possible to reduce the first
lass rate without departing from the
resent policy of self-supporting post
i service.
During the fiscal year 1912 more than
'00,00o,000 pieces Of mail, having an
aggregate weight of about 81 ,000,0 900
were carried free through the i
nails under the franks Of congressman
md Of various government establish
nents. Had postage at the ordinary
ates been paid on this matter, the rev. |
nues Of the department would have been
increased by more than S20,000,000. Post !
master General Hitchcock declares THAI J
ii is manifestly unfair to give the post !
flee department no credit in the gov i
fiscal accounts for the ex- ,
ense of performing this service. The
apartment therefore renews it's recon-
lendation that the practice Of franking I
e discontinued and that legislative an
hority be granted for the use on Off
ial mail Of special stamps to be fur
ished by the postoffice department on
he requisition of those entitled to
hem"
In connection with establishment of
he parcel post, Mr.. Hitchcock recon- n
lends that legislation be enacted look 4
lg to the readjustment Of the payments t
, railroads for the transportation OF \
lail. He points out that many Of the
,ads will be entitled to increased COM i
nnsation on account Of the increased
olume of mail. He renews his recon- a
endation that payments to railroads
lrrying the mails shall be made on q
II space basis and the cost to the roads =
the mail transportation. n
The report recommends that "ciyil
,nsions based on length OF service ii
lould be granted by the government +,
postal employees when they become t,
1t is likely that the ex
'nse of such system would be more
~ ofaot h,y ya;ns In af}fcianox,