Evening journal., 1916-12-11
PUTS NEV POSTAL
TAX ON newspapers
House Committee Votes to
Apply Zone System TO
SecOnd-ClaSS Matter
MAIL-ORDER FIRMS
ARE HIT HARD

WASHINGTON, Dec. II "A decided
increaes in the postage rates on
newspapers, magazines and period
Gals admitted to the mails as second
class matter will be provided for in
the Postofice Appropriation bill soon
to be reported to the House.
The House Committee on Postothces
has voted to include as a legislative
rider on that bill an amendment ap-
ply ny the zone system, as now APP
pied 10 the parcel post, 10 ali second
class matter. 1t Is provided Ia this
amendment, sponsored by Represen-
tative Randall, Of California, and
adopted by the clmhittee, that sec
ond-class posta, rates shall be as fol-
lows
Local, first, second and third zones
Cunder SEQ miles,, one cent a pound.
Fourth zone, 300 to 600 10 les two
cents a pound.
Fifth zone. coo TO 1000 miles, three
cents a pound.
sixth zone, 1000 to 400 miles, four
cents a pound.
Seventh zone. l400 TO 1900 miles,
five cents pound
Eighth zone, more than 1900 miles,
six cents a pound
The amendment applies to "all
newspapers, magaz mes and other
publications regularly adm tied 10 the
mails Of the second class. 1t is stip-
ulated that there shall be no change
in the free-in-county circulation, as
now provided for by law, this eXemp-
ton be'ny principally In the interest
Of so-called Country papers" thai
are carried free within the county OF
publication.
On the motion Of Representative
Stenerson. Of Minnesota. the commit
tee voted that hereafter catalogues
shall take a third-class rate instead
Of a parcel-post rate. Tbs amend
ment is understood TO be aimed at
large mail-order houses, who have
recently been using the cheaper rates
Of the parcel-post system FOR the cir
culat'on OF bulky catalogs.
In defense OF his amendment 20
which there was little opposition IN
the House Committee. Mr.. Randall
said today he estimated the av-
erage postage under the terms of the
proposed law would be two and one
half cents per poind. He argued that
ordinarily the circulation radius Of
newspaper is 800 to 600 miles, and
the increased postage would not be
excessive Mr. Randall adfitted that
the rates for the rema mig zones
were far in excess 81 the flat one
cent rate now prevailing but insisted
that the Govern rent should not car
~ newspapers at a loss.
II the Randall amendment is APP
proved Il will REQUIRE six cents or
more tC mail SUNDAY EDITION 90 the
ge newspaper from New York
Ia the Pacific coast Magazines would
also be hard hit bv the legislation.
TIE change IN second class rates
was voted NJ an executive session OF
the committee and members were
reluctant 70 discuss Il or admit an
agreement had been reached. II was
learned however that con1narat'velv
few votes we've caet against it in COM
m'ttee. and The rider will be carried
Into the p0sto@ce budget
The COMMITTEE also annroved enc
cent nnstage for drop letters" for de-
livery On a local rural NAL route. or
within the citv whert the letters ave
UidIffNs 7 I'lN was Recommended
the Postmaster General in his annual
report.
Dissenting members OF the com
mittee have not decided whether ,they
viii hle a minority report, although
one Of them predicted that Congress
in view Of the high cost OF print
paper and other cirmcumtances mill
tating against the cheap production OF
newspapers and magazines. would
not acqu' esce IN tie committees rec
concentrations