Gilpin observer., 1914-03-05
By Edward Keating.

VI Ihio SouAtiy, Woulu Slduiy GA
pend fifty million dollars in order to
secure the adoption of the amend
ment to the parcel post law which
is now pending in the senate"
This startling statement was made
on the floor of the House few days
ago by Congressman David Lewis, Of
Maryland, "the father of the parcel
post. 1t was all the more startling
because it was uttered by "Davy"
Lewis-as his colleagues lovingly
call him-whose views are always
couched in the most conservative Ian.
gllage, and who seems to have a con-
stitutional antipathy for anything
suggestive of the sensational.
The amendment referred to by
Lewis was prepared by majority of
the senate committee on post offices
and post roads and attached as a
rider to the post office appropriation
bill. 1t strips the postmaster gen.
eral of the power he now exercises
to change parcel post rates, zones
and regulations, and provides that
the existing rates and regulations
shall continue in force until congress
authorizes a change.
There is something fiendishly un-
fair about this attempt to shackle
this young giant who is willing and
ready to render a great public SER
vice." said Lewis.
He pointed out that congress with
its more than five hundred members
could not assume the responsibility
of rate making, That was task which
should be assigned to the postmaster
general and the Interstate Commerce
Commission and their corps of expert
assistanst.
Would Destroy System.
with the postmaster generals
hands tied and the express compan-
les left free to make such changes
in their rates as they see fit, the
latter can destroy the parcel post,
Lewis predicted. Then he hurled his
most effective bomb into the camp of
those who have been attacking the
postmaster general and attempting
to discredit the operations of the par
Gel post.
He pointed out that under exist
ing law we were limited to three
hundred mile" parcel post, and call
ed attention to the bitter criticisms
leweled at the postmaster general be-
cause the parcel post rates beyond
the three hundred mile limit were
higher than the express rates.
THE reason for that, said he. "is
that the railroads haul express pack
ages for one-half what they charge
the government for hauling parcel
post packages"
up to the three hundred mile
limit the parcel post rate is lower
than the express rate, and the gov
ernment is doing practically all of
the business within that limit. If
We attempted to compete with the
express companies beyond that limit
we would bankrupt the treasury"
Lewis proceeded to point out the
remedy. Enact a law compelling the
railroads to haul parcel post pack
ages at the same rate they now
charge for express packages. That
will give us a nationwide parcel
post, will result in an immediate
cut of thirty-three per cent in ex-
press rates and save millions annu-
ally to the people"
Incidentally, as Lewis pointed out,
it would put the express companies
permanently out of business.
Senator owens Amendment.
Lewis speech tore the mask from
the faces Of those who have been
playing the express company's game
by attacking the postmaster general
and proclaiming the parcel post
failure, because beyond the three
hundred mile zone, the parcel post
rates were higher than the express
rates.
Senator Owen. of Oklahoma,
promptly introduced an amendment
to the post office appropriation bill.
the railroads to make the
same rates for parcel post as for ex-
press packages. and the true friends
OF the parcel post prepared to defeat
the Infamous rider" which was de-
signed to tie the postmaster gener-
ais hands.
OF course, the express companies
will fight to the last ditch. 1t is not
to be expected that they will cheer
fully acquiesce in the signing OF their
own death warrant. Their advocates
will persistently endeavor to throw
dust in the eyes of the public In the
t,nDa thof tbav NAV tharabv conceal