Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1913-07-19
CHANGES IN
PARCEL POST
Raising Of Weight Limit and Re-
duCtiOn in Rates for First
Aud Second Zones

The Posto flee Department is contem.
plating important changes in the parcel
post system which will double the pack
age traffic now going through the mails
under the present limitations. Postal
experts have been working out plans
for partial reconstruction of the sys-
TEN, and ii is said aD announcement Of
important changes which will be graft
lying TO town and city merchants will
likely be made very soon. 1t is not ex-
pected that the changes will be put into
operation for at least six weeks.
The changes involve the raising of
the weight limit over / pounds, the
enlargement of the first zone and big
reduction in the rates for the first and
second zone traffic The purpose Of the
changes is TO stimulate traffic between
populcus centres and their suburban
and farming territory. II is contended
that il the weight limit is raised To 90
or 20 pounds and low rate of 3 or )
cents the first pound and Z. cent for
subsequent pounds is established IL will
encourage truckers and farmers to ship
to the city kitchen farm produce in mail
market baskets. a movement OF this
kind. it is declared, will eventually re-
suit in material reduction OF the cost
of living in the cities. Table necessi.
ties. which grow on the farm, can be
bought from one-half to one.third less
at the centre of production than they
can in the city.
Though no official information can
be obtained as to the probable changes.
it is understood that the first zone may
be enlarged from 80 to $50 to goo miles.
The rates under contemplation are )
cents the first pound and + cent for
subsequent pounds.
Under this change in the first Balti-
more zone all Maryland nearly all of
Virginia. all Of Delaware and big slices
Of West Virginia and Pennsylvania
will be included Maryland farmers
Washington and Carroll counties will
be enabled to ship 20pound market
baskets into Baltimore at a low cost of
"a cents. The express rate for similar
packages would be around 60 and Is
cents. Baltimore, Frederick. Hagers.
town and Westminster merchants
would also have low rate for ship.
ping their merchandise direct to the
farmers door.
Under the Parcel Post act the Post
master. General, with the approval of
the Interstate Commerce Commission.
has the authority TO make far.reaching
changes in the rates. zones and weight
limits. Ii is understood that plans for
a partial reconstruction of the system
will be submitted to the lnterS State
Commerce Commission at an early date.
Postmaster General Burleson has
made several important changes in the
parcel post regulations since he has
been the head of the Postoiliee Depart
nent. One Of these changes, which
was well received throughout the coun-
try, was an order aboIishing the indi-
vidual parcel post stamp aud making
all stamps good for parcel post pack
ages. Mr.. Burleson has also inaugu-
rated the collect-on.delivery system.
which enables shippers to mail pack
ages aud have the Postoiiice Depart
ment collect the money and send it to
them.
President Wilson and Mr.. Burleson
desire the parcel post system TO be
simplfied as much as possible during
the present Administration. They de-
sire also that II be gradually developed
until IL becomes postal express sys-
tenn. giving the people retail package
transportation conduit at low rates.
The changes in the parcel post may
he made before the fall season opens.