The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1915-06-04
THE ELECTRIC MAIL

to be handled. a concrete example
will be taken for instance, of mes
sage supposed to originate in New
York to be sent to Chicago. Since the
details in handling Of telecard are
identical with tho sc IN the case of a
telepost, the latter VIII be taken.
Thus man anywhere in New
York City writes his letter of SO
words or more, puts it in an envelope
on which he writes the single word
"Telepost," the proper amount in
stamps to pay for the service being
attached to the outside of the en-
velope. 1t is then dropped in the
mail box at the corner-into the mail
chute in his building-handed to the
collector, or sent directly to the post
office. At the post office the stamps
are cancelled and it is transferred
to the telepost in the shortest pos
sible time. There its contents are
wired to Chicago, typewriter, put in
to sealed enelope properly address,
ed, transferred to the Chicago post
office delivery in the fewest possible
minutes, whence it is delivered to
the person addressed just as any
other letter would be-by carrier, or
put into his post office box.
Hence the nearer the sender is to
the post office Of origin the more
time saved at the sending end. Also
nearness to the post office at the des-
tination shortens the time of de-
livery. So, depending on these con-
ditions the length of time between
the letters leaving the sender to it's
reaching the party addressed at the
destination may airy from few min
utes to an hour or two. Under all
circumstances, there is saving of
the time consumed by train transpor-
tation and also the time consumed
in handling, putting into bags, haul
ing to and from trains, etc.
From two to four exchanges of
such communication may be made
between Chicago and New York DUR
ing the business hours of one day.
This will mark new era in the com
mercial relations of the two cities.
Today it cost $1.7O to send SO
words from New York to Chicago
When the electric mail is established
1t will cost but 25 cents, or ten cents
for ten words.
Opinion of John Wanamaker
When this matter was discussed
with Mr.. Wanamaker, who has been
for years one of the strongest advo-
Gates of government ownership and
operation of the telegraph, he said,
Fifty words for % cents is great,
but give the people ten words for
ten cents. That is what they want"
The electric mail telecard-ten
words for ten cents-will give this
service.
Summary
The electric mail will be of the
greatest benefit to the business and
social interests of the country. 1t
will facilitate the transaction of bust
ness and reduce the cost. From this
viewpoint it means national economic
progress.
II will require no change in pres
emit post office work or methods.
1t will mean big profit to the post
office, as the post office will receive
the same fees it now receives for first
class mail, but will eliminate present
transportation charges.
It asks no appropriation from con-
gress, nor does it involve the post
office department in any expense. On
the contrary, the post office receives
in advance all fees coming to it be-
sides the portion due to the telepost.
It is not dependent on any legisla-
ton involving or affecting the ques-
ton of government ownership or OPP
Grafton of the telegraphs.
1t involves no feature that can be
objected to by either the friends or
the opponents of government owner
ship of the telegraphs.
For these and many other reasons
which might be cited, the electric
mail has met with unqualified APP
proval wherever and whenever pre-
sented or discussed.