The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-02-25
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY p, 1918,
ARR rxral.ss COMPANIES DOOMED

Mr. William A Marble president Of the Mer.
chants Association CT New York contributes 10
the SUNDAY Heroi5 very thoughtful and inter
astiaE article en- the express companies and how
their tuiu9e may be affected by the extcnsiot
of the parcels post MIR Marble discusses this
important matter 10 business interests every
where in an absolutely unbiased manner. and
takes the view OF practical business maa. As
she association az which be is the head organized
the natIDn-9iae movement for the regulation Of
express companies, which resulted in the investi
cation by the interstate commerce commission
and the consequent reforms in methods and
rates. stated Ia few words says Mr. Marble
'the res8It oF the commissions action has been
to remove defects Of methods, abolish unjust or
obiectionable practices aud greatly to stimulate
and improve the efficiency Of express service, and
to assure chat the public shall pay only just and
reasonable ratee. fairly proportional to the cost
Of rendering tbe service"
Mr. Marble looks upon the parcels post
great public benefit since it extends TO all rural
sections. many Of which arc not reached by the
express companies who operate mainly along the
lines OF the railways, The real justification of
parcels post lies not in its assumed greater
economy. which Mr.. Marble thinks is largely
imaginary bat in that 1t fills The transportation
gap in the rural sections and serves the needs
Of great body OF people, otherwise without
adequate means Of Transporting small parcels.
The limitations OF the parcels post are plainly
pointed out by Mr. Marble. who strongly argues
against the government extending this service
too far. These he thus lists;
II does not provide pickup" service
Ii docs not adequately provide for safety
Ii does Dot provide adequate. indemnity for
loss.
age
II excludes a Wide range of commodities
from quicl, transportation
1t prevents valuable packages from being
securely closed
It is obvious that unless all these limita-
tons be removed the parcels post cannot eff
fectivelx serve numerous imperative transpor-
tation needs
"lt is absolutely essential, to the business
community particularly" says the writer, that
provision tor all these varied forms of service
be continued. That is equivalent to saying that
the express service must be preserved in order
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