Evening journal., 1913-07-16
CHANGES in
PARCEL POST
Weight Limit to be Raised
Above Eleven Pounds, and
Rates Reduced

WASHINGTON, July 15-The Post
Office Department is contemplating
important changes in the parcel post
system which will double the package
traffic now going through the mails
under the present limitations. Postal
experts have been working out plans
for a partial reconstruction of the
system, and II is said an announce
ment OF important changes which will
Ibe gratifying to town and city merch-
ants will likely be made very soon
/ It is not expected that the changes
will be put into operation for at least
six weeks
The changes involve the raising of
the weight limit over II pounds, the
enlargement of the first. zone and a
4 big reduction in rates for the first and
/ second zcne trifflc. The purpose of
4 the changes is to stimulate traffic be-
tween pcpulous centres and their sub
urban and farming territory. 1t is
I contended that if the weight limit is
raised TO 20 or 25 pounds and a low
rate Of or cents the first pound
and 1-2 cent for subsequent pounds IS
established it will encourage truckers
and farmers to ship to the city
kitchen farm produce in mail market
baskets A movement of this kind, il
is declared, will eventually result in
a material reduction of the cost of liv-
( ing in the cities. Table necessities.
which grow on the farm, can be
bought from one-half to one-third le7s
1 at the centre of production than they
can in the city
May Enlarge First Zone.
/ Though no official information can
3 be obtained as to tho probable changes
lit is understood that the first zone
may be enlarged from so to $50 to 200
miles The rates under contempla-
J tion are 8 cents the first pound and
1-2 cent for subsequent pounds.
Under this change in the first Bal
tmore zone all Maryland nearly all
i of Virginia, all of Delaware and big
Z slice of West Virginia and Pennsyl-
4 yania will be included Maryland
/ farmers on the Eastern Shore and in
! Frederick, Washington and Carroll
counties will be enabled to ship 20
pound market baskets into Baltimore
at low cost of "a cents. The ex-
press rate for similar packages would
b around so and 75 cents Baltimore,
! Frederick, Hagerstown and Westmin-
ster merchants would also have a low
rate for shipping their merchandise
direct to the farmers door.
/ Under the Parcel Post act the Post
mastcr-G General, with the approval of
/ the Interstate Commerce Commission
has the authority to make far-reach-
ing changes in the rates, zones and
weight limits. It is understood that
/ plans for a partial reconstruction OF
4 the system will be submitted to the
Interstate Commerce Commission al
an early date.
Changes Made by Burleson.
Fostmaster-General Burleson has
made several important changes ii
the parcel post regulations since he
has been the head OF the Postofice
Department. One Of these changes
which was we'll received throughout
the country, was an order aboIshing
the individual parcel post stamp and
making all stamps good for parcel
post packages Mr.. Burloson has
also inaugurated the collect-on-deliv-
cry system, which enables shippers
to mail packages and have the Post
Office Department collect the money
and send it to them
President Wilson and Mr. Burleson
desire the parcel post system to be
simp,ified as much as possible during
the present administration. They de-
sire also that it be gradually devel-
oped until it becomes postal express
system, giving the people a retail
package transportation conduit at low
rates.
The changes in the parcel post may
be made before the fall season opens.