Montpelier examiner. [volume] (Montpelier, Idaho) 1895-1937, 1913-01-10

that parcel post packages cannot nc
accepted for mailing unless they hear
a distinctive parcel post stamp and
have attached to them the return card
OF the sender. A series OF distinctive
stamps Ia now In course OF prepare.
ton for this class OF mail as REQUIRED
by the law creating the parcel post
system. Consfgnments of these
stamps will be ready for shipment to
'sll postofaces In ample time for the
establishment Of the new system on
New Years day.
The postofice department has given
instruction to every postmaster In the
country to enlighten his patrons az
much as possible on the general sub
ject of the parcel post and especially
on the use of the special stamps and
the necessary attachment of the re-
turn card. The law requires that all
fourth-class matter mailed e.,er Jan
nary 1. 1918, without parcel post
stamps attached shall be treated as
Held for postage" matter Parcel
post packages will be mailable only
at postofices, branch postoffices, let
tered and local named stations, and
such numbered stations as may be
designated by the postmasters.
1t has been announced by Postmas.
ter General Hitchcock that nearly TO-
900 scales will be required for use In
the parcel post system which is to go
into effect January LIST. He has &C.
cordfngiy authorized the issuance of
bids for that number. Two hundred
of the largest postofiices and their
branches will be supplied with auto
matte springless scales. The next
class Of offices, numbering about TO-
900. will be given high grade beam
scale. while the four class Offices.
numbering about $4,000, will be fur
nished with the best spring balances
obtainable, each having a capacity for
twenty pounds. These scales will be
used by postmasters to determine the
amount of postage required on parcel
post packages. The fact that many
OF the postoffices Of the country are
now furnished with scales of limited
capacity makes 1t necessary for the
postmaster general to make this very
large purchase of scales capable of
taking care OF the parcel post bust
ness. 1t IL understood that this will
be the largest single order ever placed
for scales.
Rate on Seeds Not Affected.
It should be said that the act of
congress which puts parcel post plan
into operation does not in any way
affect the postage rate on seeds, cut
tings, bulbs, roots, scions and plants
as fixed by section 482 of the postal
laws and regulations.
The classification of articles mail.
able as well as the weight limit the |
rates OF postage, zone or zones and
other conditions of AVAILABILITY under
the act OF congress. II the postmaster
general shall find on experience that |
they or any OF them are such as to |
prevent the shipment OF articles de-
sirable, or shall permanently render |
the cost OF the service greater than
he receipts OF the revenue therefrom,
be is hereby authorized subject to the |
of the interstate commerce /
commission after investigation, to re-
form from time to time such ciassifi-
cation. weight limit, rates, zone or
zones or conditions. In order to pro. |
mote the service TO the public or to
insure the receipt of revenue from
such service adequate to pay the cost
thereof"
Through many years different men,
hers Of the house and senate have |
been interested In promoting parcel |
post legislation. Among the men most
active in securing the legislation |
which soon Is to go into effect as |
law are Senator Jonathan Bourne of |
Oregon, Representatives David ].
Lewis of Maryland and William gul.
Ter OF New York. who has Just been
slected governor Of that state.
To ascertain conditions surrounding |
lie establishment OF the parcel most |
system In places differing widely In
siFe, climate and industries, Postmas. |
Ter General hitchcock recently sum-