The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1915-09-29
ONE CENT POSTAGE.
Determined Fight to Re Made In Con-
gress This Winter to Obtain Reduc-
ton.

| Letter postage users of the United
States and particularly those who
have a large volume of letter mai
are clearly entitled to a one cent let
ter rate. and a determined fight will
be made In congress this winer to Sc
cure It,"
Neill O'Donnell. president of the
oDonnell & Co. Inc. made the above
statement yesterday, accompanying II
with the information that the business
men of this city are joining the ranks
OF the National One Cent Letter Post
age Association. for the purpose of Sc
curing a one cent letter rate.
He declared that already the as
sociation has strong and representa-
tive memberships in every city and
town throuhgout the United States.
and that every effort is to be directed
toward securing action on a one cent
letter rate at the approaching session
of congress.
THE time has arrived" he declared
yesterday. when officials at Washing
ton should take cognizance of the de-
mand made by the users of first class
letter RAAh Tor a readjustment Of
rates SO that ordinary letters. which
are now being charged two cents each
shall be carried at cost, or about one
cent each.
1t has been amply demonstrated by
statistics and actual investigation that
one cent letter rate throughout the
United States will pay. and that the ex-
ira cent now being demanded for the
carriage Of n letter Is nothing less
than a tax.
The United States postoffice depart
ment was primarily organized for the
carriage Of letters, and In the early
days the charges made were on a ba-
sis OF actual cost of transportation.
When the department was organized
transportation difficulties were i'm
mense, and a high rate had to be
charged. Years have passed, wonder
full inssutions have revolutionized the
transpertation business and the cost
of carriage has been lowered until
now it's known letters can be carried
at one cent instead Of at two cents,
which Is the persent charge.
Mechanically the United States
postoffice department Is about the
most perfect working machine there is
In the business world. When you con-
sign a letter to the postoffice, you
have almost definite assurance that 1t
will reach it's destination. On the 9TH
er hand, the methods used for deter
mining charges on different classes of
mail are antiquated and unscientnc.
and II seems certain that general
revision OF the postal rates must be
made within the next few months.
There are many reasons why let
ter users are entitled to a one cent
rate. Among them may be mention
ed
Because the government is max
ing about 100 per cent profit on letter
postage.
Because the department was es-
tablished primarily for the distribu-
tion OF letter mail.
Because 1t was never intended that
letter mail should pay a profit.
Because one-half Of our letter pos
tage is a tax.
Because this tax is not used for
the general expense of the government,
but utilized as a subsidy for other
classes OF mail.
Because 1t Is wrong to tax one class
for the benefit Of another.
Because an equalization Of our
postal rates will provide better service.
Because we have been entitled to
one cent letter postage for the past
ten years.
For the purpose OF crystalizing sem
timent throughout the United States
so that this reform can be brought
about, there has been formed the Ma
tional One Cent Letter Postage Asso-
ciation, of which Charles VIM. Bur-
rows. Cleveland. Is president. and Geo.
T. Mcintosh. Cleveland. is secretary
treasurer and manager of the cam
paign. This organization has been in
existence for a number of years and
has been steadily working for a one
cent letter rate. Substantial progress
has been made. and 1t Is hoped that
definite action on this important mat
ter may be had at the approaching
session of congress.
Users Of letter postage Of the coun-
try. who are now heavily taxed for
the carriage OF their letters, should