The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1913-07-22
WILL IMPROVE
PARCEL POST


Washington, July 22.-Plans for the
extension, improvement and reduction
in rates OF the parcel post have been
announced by Postmaster General
Burleson. The changes. which are to
become effective on Aug. Is. include
an increase from eleven pounds to
twenty pounds i'm the maximum weight
Of parcels: a material reduction in
the postage rates in the first and sec
ond zones, and the abandonment OF the
parcel post map as a means Of COM
putting rates and the substitution for il
of a rate chart individualized To every
postoffice in the United States The
plans contemplate the purchase of a
large number Of automobiles to be
parcel post matter
While for the present, the maximum
weight limit Of twenty pounds and the
reduction in rates will apply only to
the first and second zones from any
given postoffice-a distance Of about
$50 milcs-the changes directed today
constitute the first long step towards
and a general reduction in the rates of
postage on parcel matter
Weight Limit Is Increased.
1T is my expectation and belief"
said Postmaster General Burleson,
that cventually-and Il may be fifteen
or twenty years-the postal service
i will handle practically all of the small
naT characterization, i,, . h.
| United States. The maximum weight
| limit. extended now from eleven to
| twenty pounds | expect to see in
creased TO 100 pounds, and experience
I may demonstrate the practicability OF
! handling the parcel business at even
! lower rates than we now propose.
In ;he making of extensions and re-
auctions of rates it is necessary for US
10 proceed with caution, so as to af-
ford ample opportunity To prepare for
the increased business For that rea
son We have made the change pro
posed apply only To- the first and sec
| ond zones. ! appreciate fully the sem
| timent for an increase in the weight
limit and reduction in rates to all
a.
sense to feel our way"
Details OF the Changes.
Mr.. Rurlcson announced the changes
as follows:
THE first zone shall include the ter
ritory within the local delivery of any
office and the first zone rate Of post
age will apply TO all parcel posts mail
Hpnngifg1 ar fnr A.lit-
cry or for delivery by city carrier or
on rural routes emanating from that
postoffice.
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 Oh in part within
a radius of approximately $50 miles
from any given postofiice.
THE rate Of postage on parcels
weighing in excess OF four ounces in
the proposed first zone will be reduced
from five cents for the first pound and
one cent for each additional pound or
fraction thereof To five cents for the
first pound and one cent for each ad
Gitional two pounds or fraction there
Of. and the rate for the second zone
will be reduced from five cents for the
first pound and three cents for each
additional pound or six cents for the
first pound and four cents for each ad
ditional pound or fraction thereof TO
five cents for the first pound and one
cent for each additional pound or frac-
tiop thereof
The maximum weight of parcel
posts packages will he increased from
eleven pounds 10 twenty pounds, the
increase Of weight To apply only to the
first and second zones No change has
been made i'm the size or form of the
package"
Statistics collected by the depart
mcnt show that quite one-third Of the
total number of parcels mailed are
handled within the proposed first and
second zones, and the postmaster gen
cral believes the increase in the weight
limit ana the reduction of the rates of
postage i'm the first and second zones,
as proposed. will benefit greatly more
than one third of the republic: and that
the producer the consumer and the
local merchant will profit materially
by tn" changes. He points out too. |
that tn" farmers. who were led to an
tiCipate much benefit from the parcel
posts service, will be afforded "A cheap |
means of transporting their products
directly to the consumer. and that the
local merchant whose trade does not
justify the employment of extensive
delivery service also will he benefited. |
as the system will pu, him in close
touch with his customers.
PopuIarizine the Service.
At the outset II was estimated that
300, 900, 900 parcels. would he handled
during the first year of the operation |
Of the parcel post system. but it now
appears from the statistics that in
fiuenced by the changes proposed yes
tcrday. the service will he so poular
lied that the number OF parcels car
red during the ensuing twelve months
will be more than double the original
estimate
The rate sheet. which is to be used
as a substitute for the parcel post map