Evening journal., 1913-02-05
WANTS LOWER
PARCEL RATES
Postmaster Hitchcock Also
Wants to Increase the
Limit Of Weight

| WASHINGTON, Feb, 5.--Postmast-
er General Hitchcocks annual report,
made public tentatively suggests re-
duction Of some parcel post rates, and
increasing the limit of weight beyond
; eleven pounds: recommends civil
pensions for postal employees: an in
crease In rates on second class mail
which may pave the way for one
cent letter postage; the consolidation
OF the third and fourth classes so
books and papers may be forwarded
by parcel post: and points out that
during his administration. expense Of
operating the postal service has been
cut down $45,O00.0OO
The establishing of postal savings
banks at Presidential postofiices was
completed early in the fiscal year,
ended June 80, 1912-the year COW
cred by the report Since then the
system has been extended TO 4.O04
fourth class postoflices, as we'll as to
665 branch Offices and stations in the
larger cities There are now 1852
postal savings banks at which pat
rons may open accounts. The num-
Der Of the system for the fiscal year
will meet the interest payments and
| depositors is approximately 100000
and the deposits aggregate about $685.
100000 not including S1,314,14O with
drawn and invested I'm postal savings
bonds.
On the basis OF the present monthly
net increase Of deposits IL is estimat-
ed that the gross income Of the Post
al Savings system for the fiscal year
ending June 80, 1912, will amount TO
100000 and the interest payable TO
depositors to 100000 The income OF
the total expenses of the central Of
fee, but will be approximately S275,-
600 less than enough to cover the en-
tire expense Of the service.
However. the Postmaster Generals
report says. 1T is expected that when
the deposits have increased to $780,
100000 which at the present rate
they will do soon. the system will be
self-sustaining.
Our Parcel Post.
The report contains no references
to subjects which have developed
since December /. and. consequently,
the Postmaster Generals cOnsidera-
ton of the parcel post has TO do only
with the preliminary work of estab-
fishing the new system, which went
into effect on January l. Tentatively,
however, he recommends not only
that the parcel post rates be reduced,
but that the weight of packages be
/ increased to a point above the maxi
mum weight Of eleven pounds On
this subject the report says:
/ g.
new parcel post system range consid-
lerably lower than corresponding eN-
press charges, it is believed that ex-
perience will show them to be higher
in some instances than is necessary IN
order to maintain the services at cost.
Likewise. the restriction that places
an 1l-pound limit on the weight OF
parcels mailed should be regarded as
merely tentative. After the system is
/ thoroughly organized on that basis
the scope OF the service in its useful.
ness TO the public should be still
further enlarged by increasing the
weight limit If properly developed
under efficient management. the par
eel post viii prove TO be a most inn
portant factor in reducing the cost OF
living
10 Consolidate Some Nail.
Perhaps the most important recon-
mendation contained in the report ig
that the third and fourth classes OF
mail be consolidated so that books
and other printed matter may be for
warded by parcel post At present the
postage charges for these two classes
of mail bear no fixed ratio TO each
other. For certain weights and zones
the parcel post rates are lower than
the third class rates, while in other
cases they are higher.
There is widespread popular in
terest.' the report says, "in the plan
TO lower the postage charge on let
ters from cents TO ! cent an ounce.
The proposed increase in the second
class rate would pave the way for
This change. making it possible 10 re-
duce the first class rate without de-
parting from the present policy Of a
] self-supporting postal service.
The Franking Privilege.
During the fiscal year 1912 more
than 300000.000 pieces of mail. hav-
ing an aggregate weight Of about 6l.-
/ 100000 pounds, were carried free
through the mails under the franks
ment establishments. Had postage at
the ordinary rates been paid on this
matter the revenues OF the Depart
ment would have been increased by
more than s2O,0OO.OOO. Postmaster
General Hitchcock declares that "it Is
manifestly unfair TO give the Post
Office Department no credit in the
governments fiscal accounts for the
expense of performing this service
The Department therefore renews its
/ recommendation that the practice OF
franking be discontinued and that
legislative authority be granted for
the use on official mail of special
stamps to be furnished by the Post
Office Department on the requisition
OF those entitled to them.
In connection with establishment
Of the parcel post Mr.. Hitchcock
recommends that legislation be enact
ed looking to the readjustment OF the
payments Of railroads for the trans
portation OF mail.
The report recommends that civil
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