The Kadoka press and Kadoka reporter. [volume] (Kadoka, S.D.) 1910-1923, 1913-07-25
PARCEL POST
RATES CHANGED

tion i'll rates of the parcel post We're
announced today by Postmaster Cen
eral Burleson. The changes, which
are to become effective on August 10,
include an increase from IL pounds to
20 pounds in the maximum weight of
the postage rates in the first and Sec
ond zones, and the abandonment Of
the parcel post map as a means of
computing rates and the substitution
for it of rate chart individualized to
every postoffice in the United States
The plans contemplate the purchase
of large number of automobiles to
be used exclusively for the delivery
of parcel post matter.
While, for the present, the maxi
mum weight limit OF % pounds and the
reduction in rates will apply only TO
the first and second zones, from any
given postoffice-a distance of about
$50 miles-the changes directed today
constitute the first long step towards
a universal extension of the system
and general reduction in the rates
of postage on parcel mater.
1T is my expectation and belief"
said Postmaster General BurlesOn.
that eventually-and it may be Is or
20 years-the postal service will han
die practically ali of the small pack
age transportation business in the
United States. The maximum weight
limit, extended now from IL to 20
pounds, / expect to see increased to
100 pounds. and experience may dem
onstrate the practicability of handling
the parcel business at even lower
hates than we now propose.
In the making of extensions and
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
proposed apply only to first and sec
ond zones. ] appreciate fully the sem
timent for an increase in the weight
limit and reduction liz rates TO all
zones, but it is necessary for us, in
sense to feel our way"
Mr.. Burleson announced the chang
es as follows:
"The first zone shall include the ter
ritory within the local delivery of any
office and the first zone rates 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 postoffice.
The second zone shall include the
remainder Of what is now the first
zone, and shall include all the units
of area located in whole or in part
within radius of approximately $50
miles from any given lostofice.
"The rates Of 20 3t""a on parcels
weighing in exces ef tour ounces in
the proposed first zone will be reduc-
ed from five cents for the first pound
and Que cent for each additional
pound or fraction thereof 10 five cents
for the first pound and one cent for
each additional two pounds or frac-
ton there and the rate for the
second zone will be reduced from FIVE
cents for the first pound and three
cents for each additional pound or six
cents for the first pound and four cents
for each additional pound or fraction
thereof to five cents for the first pound
and one cent for each additional pound
or fraction thereof.
1.-The maximum weight of parcel
post packages will be increased from
II pounds to 90 pounds, the increase
of weight to apply only to the first
aud second zones. No change has
been made in the size or form of the
package"
Statistics collected by the depart.
ment show that quite one-third of the
total number of parcels mailed are
handled within the proposed first and
second zones, and the postmaster gen
eral believes the increase in the weight
limit and the reduction of the rates OF
postage in :he first and second zones
as proposed, will benefit greatly more
than third of the public; and that
the producer, the consumer and the
local merchant will profit materially
by the changes. He points out, too
that the farmers who were led to an
ticipate much benefit from the pnrce
post service, will be afforded a cheaI
means of transporting their products
directly to the consumer, and that the
local merchant whose trade does no
Justify the employment of extensive
delivery service also will be benefit
ted. as the system will put him IL
close touch with his customers.
At the outset it was estimated tina
800, ZOO, 900 parcels would be banded
during the first year of the operation
OF the parcel post system, bat it nov
appears from the statistics that, in