Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1913-07-08
Washington
: Y LETTER
BY n. 3. WALKER
CUT IN PARCEL POST RATES
star stan Correspondent.
Star Bureau,
Metropolitan National Bank Bldg,
WASHINGTON. JuIv a

Metropolitan National Bank Bldg.
WASHINGTON, July g.
| Following the new rules which per-
nit the use of ordinary postage
stamps upon parcel post packages and
of parcels post stamps upon ordinary
mail, and the sending of parcel post
packages C. o. D., the postoff1ce de-
partment will shortly make the first
reduction in rates on parcel post mat
ter.
AS first step toward reducing the
rates, the weight limit will be in
creased on packages for delivery To-
cally and in the first two zones. While
the subject, 1t is probable that the
public will be allowed to mail pack
ages up to twenty pounds in weight
for delivery within radius of hum
dred miles from the point of mailing.
This increased weight limit would
make it possible to have a twenty
pound package delivered anywhere
In the same city for twenty-four
cents, or within radius of fifty miles
for. forty-five cents, which is much
less than express company rates, and
is expected to result in increased local
business for the mails.
Up to the present time, the zone
system established last year has oper-
ated to give to the parcel post the car
riage of the small parcels. or chicken
feed,' while the express companies
have continued to handle the larger
packages in the carrying of which
there is a profit. Reports show that
In the first six months of It's opera
ton, the average weight of all the
parcel post packages carried was a
trif1e more than a pound apiece. By
the increase in weight limit, which
can be ordered by the postmaster
general without action by Congress,
it is hoped to induce the public to
send larger packages through the
mails. The parcel post rates cannot
be changed without Congressional
action.
In the regular session of Congress
next winter, determined fight will
be begun to have the parcel post law
amended by the adjustment of the
zone system and the establishment
of fiat rate to all parts of the coun-
try 1t is pointed out by postal stu
dents that the parcel post will never
become as popular and in as general
use as 1t should until its use Is made
as convenient as the service offered
by the express companies.
Now one has to take a parcel post
package to the postoffice to mail 1t,
while in all cities the express COM
panies call and collect as well as de-
liver packages, without extra charge.
While the one rates are kept in effect,
it is urged, it will be difficult to per
NIT parcel post packages to be de-
posted in boxes for collection, like
letters, but if a fiat rate is established,
1t will be easy for the postal system
to both collect and deliver.
As the first in a series of economies
to be put into effect in the parcel post
service, the postoffice department has
bought forty automobiles, to be used
in number of cities for parcel post
delivery Postmaster General Frank
Hitchcock rented automobiles for this
purpose. In this city, the depart
ment, under the Hitchcock arrange
ment, has been paying $6,66666 apiece
rent per annum for autos for parcel
post deliveries. The new machines
cost 50, 500 apiece, and the department
believes it can operate them for half
the rental charge paid here.