The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1913-01-03
PEOPLE COMING
INTO THEIR OWN
Domestic Parcel Post Is Now in
OperatiOn-Brief Outline
of New System.

VIII Be a Direct Competitor Of the
Express Companies, Particularly on
Small Package Business - Eleven
Pounds the Limit Of a Single Bun
dIe-The Different Zones and Reg
ulatlons as to Perlshabe Articles.
Washington, Jan. l. - The domestic
parcel post is in actual opera.
hon. effective today. It is expected
20 bring the factory and farm into
closer touch with the consumer, and
II may reduce the cost of living.
The new system will be a direct COM
petitor OF the express companies on
small package business.
First, second and third-class mail
matter now is transported at a fat
rate for any distance. Parcel post
rates are based upon a series of zones
and they increase as the distance in
creases. The first zone includes all
territory within a radius of approx
mately so miles from the postofiice at
which the parcel may be mailed; the
second, 150 miles; the third, 300
miles; the fourth, 600 miles; the fifth,
1000 miles; the sixth, 400 miles; the
seventh, 1900 miles, and the eighth,
all territory beyond 1900 miles.
By the terms of the law, all matter
not now embraced in the first, second
and third classes of mail matter may
be forwarded by parcel post, provid-
ed a single package does not exceed IL
pounds in weight or is not greater in
dimensions than 70 inches in com.
hined length and girth, and is not Of
such a character as to injure postal
employees or damage equipment or
ether mail matter.
Provision is made for small pack
ages weighing from one to four
ounces, which may be sent at a fiat
rate of 1 cent for each ounce.
For parcel post matter distinctive
set of postage stamps has been pro-
vided.
Within the postal district of any
postoffice a local rate of 5 cents for
the first pound and l cent for each
additional pound is prescribed. Within
the so miles representing the first
one, the rate is cents for the first
pound and cents for each additional
pound. This rate increases with the
distance until it reaches a maximum
o, 12 cents a pound for delivery with
in the eighth zone, 1900 miles from
the point of mailing.
All matter which is declared unmau-
able law will be unmailable as par
eel post matter This includes obscene,
indecent and immoral matter, intoxi-
eating liquors, poisons, live animals,
birds and poultry, infammable arti
cles and such things as raw hides or
pelts or other articles having a bad
odor.
Liquids and oils, paste and salves,
sharp instruments, ink powders, pep
rer and snuff must be placed in water
tight receptacles and in many in |
stances surrounded by absorbent ma
terial to prevent damage to other mail
matter.
Articles such as millinery, toys, mu-
steal instruments and glassware must |
be labeled fragile"
One of the interesting features Of |
the regulations concerns perishable |
articles. In this class are placed but
ter, lard, fish, fresh meats, dressed |
fowls, vegetables and fruits and ber-
ries. Provision is made for carrying
almost every article produced on the
farm except live animals and live
fowls. In the local zone little packing |
Is required. Within the first zone
that is for a shipment of 80 miles
all these articles must be enclosed in
an inner cover and in strong outer
cover of wood, metal or heavy CORFU
gated pasteboard and so wrapped that
nothing can ef re from the package.
1t has been demonstrated to the sat
Isfaction of Postmaster General Hitch
cock that eggs can be transported
safely by parcel post.