Evening journal., 1913-07-22
CHANGES IN
PARCELS POST
Chelper ,Nail Rates, Insurance,
Larger Zones and Auto
Service in August
MEANS INCREASED
REVENUE FOR DEPARTMENT

WASHINGTON, July 22-Plans tor
the extension, Improvement and re-
duction IN rates OF the parcel post
have been announced by Postmaster
Genetal Burieson. The changes, ell
iectiye August IS, include an increase
from II pounds to 20 pounds m the
maximum weg ght Of parcels; a mater
ial reduction IN the postage rates IN
the first and second zones, and the
abandonment OF the parcel post map
as means of computing rates and
the substitution for it of rate chart
individualized 10 every post once IN
the United States The plans contem-
plate the purchase of a large number
of automobiles to be used exclusive
III for the delivery Of parcel post mat
ter.
While. for the present, the maxi
imum weight limit of 20 pounds and
the reductions in rates will app v
only to the first and second zones
frcm any given post ottice--a distance
OF about $50 miles the changes con-
stitute the first long step toward a
universal extension of the system and
a general reduction in the rates OF
postage on parcel matter.
at is my expectation and belief,
said Postmaster General Bur leson,
that eventually and it may be Is or
20 years the postal service will
handle practically all of the small
package transportation business in
the United States The maximum
weight limit, extended now from II
to 20 pounds, ! expect to see increas-
cd to 100 pounds. and experience may
demonstrate the practicabilty Of
handling the parcel business at even
lower rates than we now propose.
I'm the making of extensions ana
reductions Of rates it is necessary for
us to proceed with caution, so as to
afford ample opportunity to prepare
for the increased business. For that
reason we have made the changes PRO
posed apply only % tho first and sec
ond zones. | appreciate fully the SEN
timent for an increase in the weight
limit and a reduction in rates to all
zones. but it is necessary for us in a
sense. to feel our way
Mr.. Burleson 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 post mail
deposited at any Office for local de-
livery or for delivery by city carrier
or on rural routes emanating from
that post Office.
The second zone shall include the
remainder Of what is now the first
zone. together with the present sec
ond zone. and shall include all the
units of area located in whole or in
part within a radius Of approximately
$50 miles from any, given post office
The rate Of postage on parcels
weighing in excess cf four ounces i
the proposed first zone viii be reduc
ed from FIVE cents for the first pound
and one cent for each additinna
mound or fraction thereof TO five cents
for the first pound and one cent fol
each additional two pounds or frac
tion thereof. and the rate for the sec
ond zcne viii be reduced from five
cents for the first pound and three
cents for each additional pound. ol
six cents FOR The first pound and foul
cents for each additional pound ol
fraction thereof to five cents for the
first pound and one cent for each ad
ditional pound or fraction thereof
The maximum weight of parcel pos
packages. win he increased from II
mounds to 20 pounds, the increase
of weight to apply only to the frs
and second zones. No change ha'
been made in the size or form OF TN
package
Statistics collected by the depart
ment show that quite one-third of th'
total number of parcels mailed arr
handled within the proposed first an
second zones. and the POSTMASTER
General believes the increase in tn
weight limit and the reduction of TIL
rates of postage in the first and sec
ond zones. as proposed, will heenfi
greatly more than one-third Of tn
public: and that the producer, th'
consumer and the local merchant vii
proft materially by the changes. HI
points out too. that the farmers. whit
were led to anticipate much beneh
from the parcel post service. will b
afforded a cheap means of transport
ing their products directly to the con
sumer. and that the local merchant
whose trade does not justify the EN-
plovment OF extensive delivery service
also Will be benefited. as the system
will put him in close touch with hi
customers.
To Purchase Automobiles.
At the outset it was estimated tina
300.0000o0 parcels would be handle
during the first year of the operation
Of the parcel post system, but Y nov
appears from the statistics that in
1uenccd hv tho changes proposed TO
day. the service viii be SO popularize
that the number OF parcels carrie
during the ensuing Q months will b
more than double the original esti
mate
The rate sheet which is to be use
as a substitute for the parcel pos
map. will be prepared as soon a
practicable and attached to the parce
post guide The rate chart, TO b
made for each eenarate post Office
will be worked out from the locs
point of the unit in which the post of
n flee is located Tho simplicity of IN
II plan it is thought. viii make easil
determinahle the rate Of postage fror
thar unit to any other on any mailabl
n parcel and Will greatly facilitate tn
handling of parcel post matter az pos
n Office windows.
III Under regulations recently adopte
u the use of distinctive stamps no lone
q er is mandatory and the public now
81 permitted to mail parcels with ordin
! arv stamps affixed
# The Insurance fee, which original
n was 10 cents. was found TO be exec
sive. an an order effective July
] reduced to five cents the fee on pal
cells insured to actual value up to 81
I and a 10-cent fee is exacted only o
Il parcels insured to actual value {
nero than SIS and not exceeding S5l