Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1913-12-16
RQisinQ the Limit

It nav be a little startling to those who have
not given thought the matter OF practical handling
Of the parcel post that Postmaster General Burle.
son has recommended an increase OF the limit OF
packages from 20 pounds to so. This recommends
ti0fT Is first made to the interstate commerce COM
mission and if approved by that body will be put up
to Congress. The commission approved the recent
increase from y to 20 pounds. The same reasons
apply to still further increase, foreshadowing the
early approach Of the time when the limit will reach
100 pounds Startling as the suggestion may be to
the average citizen it is not at all to the rail
roads and express companies 1t is alarming but not
s.artling because they have been facing it for long
time They knew it was coming, and in view OF the
loss Of business sustained under the recent small.
increase, they know that its adoption would pract
icaally transfer express business to the post office
Hence may expect vigorous opposition. both d.
rectly and through every possible indirect channel,
much Of it candidy. but ignorantly made
The parcel post is making money for the depart
ment 1t is the one branch Of the service besides
first.cass mail which is paying profit. The new
20-pound limit has been in force too short time to
permit proper comparison with frst-class mail to
which is making the most profit but if the parcel post
is not leading it soon will be- at the present rate
OF increase With the exception of the small differ
ence in the actual transportation charge by weight
IL COSCS the department pTdCtlCaHy utOTc u Adl
die 5O.pound package than 12pound one. At the
cheapest rate a 12-pound package costs is cents
while for SO pounds the government would receive
81 cents, difference of 80 cents less small freight
charge, upon tn same amount Of work. Itsdoes not
take much figuring to show that the real profit OF
the parcel post lies in handling the larger packages
and that, the government having the equipment it
Is plain business for it to raise the limit Of weight
and make the service better and more profitable.
BY doing this the parcel post may be made to
recoup all losses entailed by the carrying of maya
zines and papers at the secondcass rate of cents
pound Take sack of such mail at the rate of
five papers to the pound and 80 pounds to the sack
and have $50 distinct pieces Of mail to be handled
for 60 cents. The same sack would hold, say, ten
packages of 10 pounds each, with total postage of
$40 at the cheapest rate There is difference of
80 cents the sack and only ten pieces to distribute
and handle, instead of $50. As was said when the
increase was made to 20 pounds the profit in the
express business is in the large packages II that
profit can be made to inure to the people through
their postal department, without loss Of efficiency OF
service, but in rural Districts with great improve
ment in efficiency and saving in cost it is diff
cult to where any intelligent opposition come
from, outside OF those having personal interest in
maintaining present conditions.
BY having her collapse all ready when arrested,
Mrs Pankhurst got out OF jail in record breaking
inno no of tiraly no