The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1913-08-01
PARCEL POST
RATE REDUCED
Weight Limit Increased From
IL to 70 Pounds.
Change Will Benefit One-Third Of
Patrons Further Reduction
Thought Likely.

extension, Improvement and reduction
IN rates Of the parcel post are an.
nounced by Postmaster General Burle.
son.
The changes, which are to become
effective August Is, include an in.
crease from II pounds to 20 pounds il
the maximum weight of parcels: 3
partial reduction in the postage rates
IN the first and second zones and the
abandonment of the parcel post mar
as means of computing rates and the
substitution for it of a rate chart in.
dividualized to every postofice in the
United States.
The plans contemplate the purchase
OF large number of automobiles to be
used exclusively for the delivery OF
parcel post matter.
While for the present the maximum
weight limit of 20 pounds and the re-
duction in rates will apply only to the
firts and second zones, from any given
postoffice-a distance of about $50
miles the changes directed constitute
the first long step toward a universal
extension of the system and general
reduction in the rates of postage on
parcel matter.
"1t is my expectation and belief, -
said Postmaster General Burleson,
that eventually it may be Is or
20 years-the postal service will
handle practically all of the small
package transportation business in the
United States. The maximum weight
limit, extended now from IL to 20
pounds, l expect to see increased to
100 pounds, and experience may dem
onstrate the practicability of handling
the parcel business at even lower rates
than we now propose. appreciate
fully the sentiment for an increase in
the weight limit and a reduction in
rates to all zones, but it is necessary
for US in sense to feel our way. For
that reason we have made the changes
proposed apply only to the first and
second zones.
Mr.. Burleson announced the changes
as follows:
''The first zone shall include the ter
ritory within the local delivery of any
Office and the first zone rate of postage
will apply to all parcel post mail de-
posted at any Office for local delivery
or for delivery by city carrier or on
rural routes, emanating from that
postoffice.
"The second zone shall include the
remainder of what is now the first
zone together with the present second
zone, and shall include all the units of
area located in whole or in part within
radius of approximately $50 miles
from any given postofice.
"The rate of postage on parcels
weighing in excess of four ounces in
the proposed first zone will be reduced
from cents for the first pound and l
cent for each additional pound or frac-
ton thereof, to cents for the first
pound and / cent for each additional
two pounds or fraction thereof; and
the rate for the second zone will be
reduced from cents for the first
pound and cents for each addi-
tional pound, to s cents for the
first pound and l cent for each addi-
tional pound or fraction thereof.
ssThe maximum weight of parcel
post packages will be increased from
IL pounds to 20 pounds, the increase
of weight to apply only to the first
and second zones. No change has been
made in the size or form of package. "