The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1913-07-22
To USE AUTOMOBILES
Large Number of These to Be
Purchased Maximum
Weight of Pages Increase
to 20 Pounds in First and
Second Zones.
tBy The Associated Press.

tBy The Associated Press |
washington, D. c., July 19.-Plans
for the extension. Improvement n
reduction In rates Of the parcel post
were announced today by Postmaster
General Burleson. The changes,
which are to become effective on Au-
gust Is, include an increase fron IL
pounds TO 20 pounds in the maximum
weight OF parcels; a material reduc-
ton III the postage rates In the hrst
and second zones, and the abandon
ment OF the parcel post map as a
means OF computing rates anG the
substitution for it or a rate chart in
diyidualiaed to every postOfi1ce in the
United States. The plans contemplate
the purchase OF a large number of au-
tomobiles TO be used exclusively for
tho delivery of parcel post matter.
While. for the present, the maxi
mum weight limit of 90 pounds and
the reduction in rates will apply only
to the first and second zones, from
any given postofice-a distance Of
about $50 miles-the changes direct
ed today constitute the first long step
towards a universal of the
system and a general reduction in the
rates Of postage on parcel matter.
A Statement.
ct is my expectation and belief
said Postmaster General BurleSOn.
that eventually-and 1t may be If
teen or twenty yearS-the postal ser
vice will handle practically all OF the
small package transportation business
in the United States. The maximum
weight limit. extended now from IL to
90 POUNDS. / expect to see increased
to 100 pounds, and experience ma!
demonstrate the practicability o.
handling the parcel business at ever
lower rates than we now propose.
''In the making of extensions an(
reductions Of rates it is necessary 70,
us to proceed with caution. so as t
afford ample opportunity to prepar'
for the increased business. For tina
reason we nave made the change
proposed apply only to the first an
second zones. 1 appreciate fully tn
sentiment for an increase in tn
weight limit and a reduction in rate
to all zones. but it is necessary for u
In a sense, to feel our way"
The Change Announced
Mr.. Burleson announced the change
Is follows:
'Th first zone shall include tn
territory within the local delivery
any office and the first zone rate {
postage Will Apply TO ali parcel Pc!
mail deposited at any Office for loo;
delivery or for delivery by city ca
rier or on rural routes emanatin
from that pOStoffice.
THE second zone shall include tt
remainder of what is now the fir
zone, together with the present secor
zone. and shall include all the units
area located in whole or in part with
a radius of approximately $50 mil
from any given DOStOffCp
THE rate of postage On parCe
weighing in excess Of four ounces
the proposed first zone will be reduce
from five cents for the first pound q,
one cent for each additional pound
fraction thereof to five cents for t
first pound and one cent for each a
ditional two pounds or fraction ther
of. and the rate for the second 20
will be reduced from five cents for t
flrst pound and three cents for ca
additional pound or six cents for t
first pound and -four cents for ca
additional pound or fraction there
to five cents for the first pound a
one cent for each additional pound
fraction thereof.
The maximum weight of par
post packages will be increased fr'
eleven pounds to twenty pounds,
increase Of weight to apply only
the first and second zones No char
has been made in the size or form
the package"
First and Second Heaviest.
Statistics collected hy the Depa
ment show that quite Cne-third Of
total number of porccls mailed
handled within the proposed first {
second one and the p2tc4aster G.