The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1913-12-11
RATES ONPARCELS
POST ARELOW{RED
AND WEIGHT RAISED
Up to so Pounds Now
In First Two
Zones.
20 Lbs. ELSEWHERE
Rates on Third and Sixth
Zone Lowered and Books
Admitted.
20 Lbs. ELSEWHERE

Washington, d. C.-Postmaster
General Burleson's proposals to in
crease the weight nmits of parcels
post packages in the first and second
zones from twenty to fifty pounds, to
admit booys to the parcel post, and
to reduce rates in the third, fourth,
fifth and sixth zones, were approved
late Saturday by the interstate COM
mence commission.
The maximum weight of parcels
to all zones beyond the second was
increased from eleven to twenty
pounds.
The New Rates.
The approved changes in rates and
weights to be in effect January /,
1914, follows:
To reduce the rates for the third
zone from seven cents for the first
pound and five cents for each addi-
tional pound to six cents for the first
pound and two cents for each addi-
tlonal pound.
To reduce the rate for the fourth
zone from eight cents for the first
tional pound to seven cents for the
L 81 PouIId ulld loul tCillS " CdCl
additional pound.
To reduce the rates for the fifth
zon from nine cents for the first
tional pound to eight cents for the
first pound and six cents for each adj
uitional pound.
To reduce the rates for the sixth
zone from ten cents for the first
pound and nine cents for each addi-
tional pound to nine cents for the
first paund and eight cents for each
additional pound.
Service Pays Its Way.
sit seems obvious" say the COM
missioner, that the service to the
public will be prompted by these
changes provided the revenue from
the service is not less than the cost
thereof. Your experience IL statis-
tics seem to show clearly that the re-
venue win not be less than the cost'of
the service. = a1. DfIH .
1--WE can conceive of no opposition
to the increased weights and reduced
rates proposed except from the, car
riers that transport the mails. We
have had some objections from them
on the ground that the increased
weight should not be permitted until
provision for additional compensa-
ton to the carriers has been made"
1t is provided, that the rate of
postage on parcels containing books
weighing eight ounces or less shall
be one cent for each two ounces or
fractional part thereof, and on those
weights in excess of eight ounces.
the one parcel post rates shall apply
This is to be effective March 16, 1914.
a Flat Rate on Gold.
Consent was also given by the COM
mission to the admission of shipments
gold, gold bullion and gold dust IN
Alaska and to and from Alaska in
packages weighing not fore than II
pounds. The rate of postage fixed is
two cents an ounce or fraction there
of for all distances.
The change relating to books has
strongly been urged by circulating
libraries, schools, colleges and pub
fishers ever since the establishment
of the parcel post service, as the pre-
sent restrictive weight limit and rates
on books are prohibitive to a great
extent except in the case of cata.
logues.
1t was not deemed advisable 10
place the order changing the classl-
fication of books in effect on Janu'
airy /, at is was desired to give a;
least three months notice to firms
whose catalogues were now being
printed.