The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1914-04-03
Department Issues Communication
Showing Where Changes Work for
Good Of Patrons Who
Use System.
HEAVIER PACKAGES GO
Attention 10 Called to Necessity for
Properly Wrapping and Address
ing Matter Which is to
b Sent Out.

e. p. McManus, postmaster here,
has received from the third assistant
postmaster general, a communication
bearing on the parcel post system,
especially concerning the modihca'
lions which were made in the system
since Jan. /, 1914. Following is the
communication:
| II has come to the attention OF the
department that many possible pat
| rons OF the parcel post service are
not familiar with its advantages, es-
peciaily as extended by the reduced
postage rates and increased limit OF
| weight, effective January !, 1914, and
other notifications recently made for
the purpose Of promoting the service
to the public. You are requested,
therefore, to make every possible eff
! fort to acquaint your patrons with
such changes, as well as the insur-
ance and G.. o. D. features and other
advantages Of the parcel post service,
giving particular prominence to the
fact that under paragraph D, amended
section ass. and paragraph Z. amended
section 1853, postal laws and reguia-
tions, the regular parcel post rates
now apply to parcels weighing more
than eight ounces containing books
and to parcels OF miscellaneous print
ed matter weighing more than four
pounds. 1t is desired that these fea-
lures, particularly the latter. be
brought to the attention Of the pat
rons of your Office likely to have mat
ter of this character for transmission,
the advantages OF using the parcel
post service for such shipments being
pointed out by interview. or any other
possible means, without expense to
the postal service. At the same time
publicity should be given to the re-
cent d departmental orders providing
for the attaching OF communications
prepaid at the hrst-class rate to par
cells Of fourth-class matter prepaid at
the rate for the latter class, and put
ting into effect the provisions OF the
act Of March 8, 1914, extending the
regular parcel post rates to seeds,
plants etc.
1t is also highly important that the
necessity for properly preparing, ad-
dressing, and wrapping matter for
mailing be impressed upon patrons.
since thu observance Of these condi>
lions are absolutely essential in order
that the service may prove satisfac-
tory. In this connection you are In
formed that proprietary articles OF
merchandise, such as harmless medi-
cinal preparations, soaps, food pro-
ducts, ETC., put up by the manufac.
turer in fixed quantities in original
sealed packages 30 as to allow examt-
nation OF the packages in their sim
plest mercantile form and labeled 30
as to show the nature of contents,
quantity, and name of the manufac-
turer. in accordance with the provis-
ions of paragraph 5, section 469, pos
tai laws and regulations, are mailable
at the fourth class rates of postage.
If such salsd packages are inclosed
in an outer wrapper, the latter must
not be sealed.
Your earnest cooperation is re-
Ghested in giving publicity to the var
ious features hersin referred to, as
we'll as to such other changes and
improv ements as are made from time
to time, with a view to increasing
the use OF the parcal post service as
a means of bringing the producer and
! consumer into closer contact.