The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1913-01-01
PARCELS POST
IS NOW HERE
y. postoffice e Receiving and SEM
ia Packages Weighing up
to Eleven
Pounds.
RUSH THIS MORNING
IN. 4 Larson Have Honor o. Being
Flrst to Mail Package Under
the New System
Hare.

Ths parcels post system, or the
s,rccl post as the law says. was In
migrated with a rush In Keokuk to.
day.
The first stamps were purchased
{ aarly this morning by ]. N. Collier OF
IL Collie. Stationary Co, and the
dist package was mailed by Bode 4
1arson about eight o'clock, destined
q Farmington, Ia, weight five pounds.
Although today Is holiday and
the postoifice was open only short
time, there were Twenty-Five or thir-
II packages mailed here under the
psrcels post. None had been received
this morning from other cities.
Many Bulky Packages.
Most Of the packages were OF good
size although all within the maximum
weight limit Of eleven pounds. Prac-
ideally all OF them would have been
sent through the express companies
we're the new law not in effect.
Theirs is much speculation as to the
extent Of the use Of the system by the
public and the effect 1t would have
upon the express companies. There
Ii some belief that the public, as a
rule, will be slow to avail itself of
the new means for the shipment OF
small packages.
There is also an anticipation that
the express companies will meet the
government rates while there is a be-
lief upon the part OF some that the
express companies will not attempt to
compete with the government but will
turn their attention to the larger ship
ments.
Effect on Retail Trade.
The most serious consideration that
has bean given the question has not
been in relation to the express COM
panies, however. but the advantage it
might give the large mail order
houses over the retail stores of SMALL
er cities and towns.
At any event. the futility Of any
flght against the system is generally
admitted and the retail stores will.
generally use the system themselves,
= the prediction One Keokuk store
nas already advertised the fact that
Z viii send goods BY parcels post.
Is argued that the farmer can
'rder merchandise from town, includ.
ns fresh meat, cost for transporta-
ION less than the expense to himself
o quit his farm work and drive to
own for the desired articles. On the
'tner hand it is possible for the
to order from the country
sfmers Just as she would at store,
nus reducing the high cost OF liv.
ng. However, The farmer generally
'els wise to the opportunity to tone
y tneir prices and now a great many
alaiers sell goods to the housewives
heokuk, demanding the same price
= the retail merchant asks.
Rules for Mailing.
me system is very complicated and
ne rules must be carefully observed
here are lis. of rules to observe
! the mailing of merchandise by par.
81 post.
9 obtain the parcel post rate pack.
ses must bear the distinctive parcel
ost Stamps Ordinary stamps win
OF be accepted.
wrap or pack the goods securely.
" 40 not seal. The name Of the
enaer must be on the outside OF the
ackage marked
~, IN - (name of sender. "
nave the package weighed at the
eheral delivery window and buy par.
= post stamps to the amount stamp-
by the clerk.
Farcels containing perishable arti-
= must be marked ''Perishable.
afceis containing breakable arti-
- must be marked Fragile"
indemnify yourself for loss at
not required) buy an insurance
9 Tor 10 cents. 1t insures up to
a,a aeaases over eleven pounds in
s r VIII no. be accepted.
aeAages over seventy-two inches
eomgined length and girth will not
accepted. This means the extreme
Ism ana the actual measurement or
Ia, lape encircling the parcel at it's
ickest point.