Evening star., 1914-02-13
WOULD TIE HANDS
Of POSTAL HEAD
Senators Favor Curb on Pow
er to Change Rules of Par
Gel System.
PROPOSED AMENDMENT
GIVES RIGHT TO CONGRESS
Burleson Refuses to Comment on
Plan-0ther Officials Crit-
else Idea.

An amendment to the post o.fice appro-
pr1adon bill which II accepsed a,ip tic
the hands OF the Postmaster General So
far as the extension of the parcel pos,
Is concerned. has been placed in the bill
by the Senate committee on post oflces
ana post roads. The amendment pro-
vides That there shall be no change IN
the existing weight limits, ra.es OF pos
tase or zones Of fourth-class mail matter
until authorized by law
Ii this amendment is adopted all power
to make future orders regarding the par
Gel post service will be taken awav from
the department and lodged exclusively in
Congress. "
Mhen postmaster General Burleson is
sued an order last ar raising the parcel
post weight limit to fifty pounds ;he
Senate committee became much excited
ana summoned the Postmaster General
neiore IL TO explain his action. He showed
that what he had done was in the inter-
ests OF the people and also perfectly wi'li-
In the law. Then members of the COM
mittee who are opposed to allowing the
postmaster General such power over the
parcel post service. determined that II
the hrst opportunity the law should be
changed. The amendment to the appro-
priation bill is the first tangible result
of this determination.
Burleson Is Silent.
The proposedd amendment does not
meet the views of the Post Office De-
partment, it is learned today on high
| authority. Postmaster General Burlesou,
however. when asked his views upon the
subject today. refused to be interviewed
He said. according to his understanding.
the alleged amendment was necessarily
a CONFIDENTIAL legisl; tive matter and that
he did not feel at liberty to discuss il.
or. In fact, any proposed legislation that
might be under consideration, until called
upon officially to do So
Other officials of the Post Office De
partment, however, while refusing to be
quoted by name. did not hesitate to
freely express their opinion of the pro-
posed amendment.
There is no demand from the people
Whatever, said one OF them. for legis
fation of this kind. Quite to the con
trary, the department has hosts of letters
commencing the Postmaster General 10,
the extensions and changes already made
in the service.
1T looks if railroad and express
company interests had suggested the
amendment, for with its enactment into
law the express companies by manipu at
ing their rates could take from the de-
partment all the profitable business of
the parcel post service and impose upon
IT all the burdens, with the result tina;
the surplus of from ST, ,00o, 600 TO 81 OUT
600 shown at the close of the last ffscal
year would be converted into a postal
deficit of from s15,00o.0O0 to $50. .o.o yoa
for the year in which the law would
go into effect"
Every Step Considered.
Those who are close to the Postmaster
General expressed the belief that tie
benefits of the parce post serpice was the
peoples cause and that those who attack
ed them would find an answer elsewhere
than from the department. They said
Mr. Burleson had carefully considered
every step which had been taken IN mod
flying the regulations affecting the ser-y-
ice, and that he had first assured himself
beyond question that he was right b, fore
he went ahead
The people have Enthusiastically ap-
proved what he has done" one said
"and il is by the people and those who
are close to their interests that proposi-
uons of the kind Will be dealt with.
Il don't believe the House OF Repre-
sentauves. where the sentiment in favor
OF the parcel post law as it is now
operated IS almost overwhelming would
ever pass such an amendment. for il l.
one that would surely deal a death blow
to the parcel post service
1t is evident the department Officials
are keenly alive to the dangers of the
proposed amendment TO the parcel DOS;
service, which. according to hundreds OF
letters received from all parts of II.
country. is being hailed as the creates
boon given the people by the government,
N ny a