The Southern herald., 1916-12-01
For Reduced Postage

lOA tAlS az u AStlA4NiiV ~ lOStHt
rates in the next session of Con-
gress. This problem was to have
been taken mp in the last session
but had to be deferred on account
Of the consideration required by
railway mail pay. Since this has
been disposed Of the committees
are prepared to take up the matter
Of placing the various postal rates
on a more equitable basis.
A zone system of rates for class
matter is being prominently urged
to take the place of present flat
rate which was adopted nearly
forty years ago. The present rate
has for some time been regarded
as a discrimination against the
news papers in favor of the great
natinal magazines. Like the par
eel post the proposed zone rates
would be based on the length of
the haul.
The postals COMMITTEES have
been besieged by petitions bearing
millions Of names and sevral hun
dred thousand letters from indi-
viduals urgin a raadiustment of
postal rates with a view Of making
possible one cent letter postage. A
survey Of the situation indicates
that sufficient changes will be
made in the various rates to per-
nit the creating of a Cent rate en-
local delivery letters in the next
session of Congress.
Chairman Moon, of the House
Postal Committee, said; II think
that the Committee will matter al
the next session and press it tc
a conclusion at once: While | car
not speak for the Committee, this
is my desire to the matter. dc
not know what kind of a bill We
will pass, whether it will have &
zone feature attached to il or not
This view has been presented fire.
quently in years past, and some
times received favor and some
times not. AS to what shape tht
legislation will be in | am not ablC
to say, but l am sure the Com
mittee will give it the BEST possible
shape in the public inesteles." :"
Congressman Austin, OF Tenn
said; If the leaders of Congress
would give its members an oppor
tunity to vote on the proposition
the American people would be Civ
en- a general one cent letter post
age without futher delay. Their
is no reason why any person mail
ing a letter should be forced to pa,
a tax of one cent Of every two paic
the estimated profit to the Goyerl
ment for handling a letter.
Congressman Mcclellan, Of Tenl
essee, said; "All past reduction
in the rate of first class postag
have resulted in tremendous in
creases in the volume CT the naail
The demand for such a change il
in the rate seems universal and
am sure the Congress would b
justified in taking early action i
the matter.
Commenting on the matter ReI
resentatiye Abercrombie, of Ais
said: THE post office departmer
was created to offer the very be'
possible service to the public at
: minimum cost and is not suppose
} to produce any more revenue tina
is actually needed to paw the rur
ming expense. Legislation neeC
ed to create a l cent rate on dro
= letters should be passed withol
further delay; it will cost the Go,
ernment no money and it will a,
as a much needed stimulant
business"
Congressman Wingo, OF Ark
takes the stand that postage ratt
should be fixed more in accoI
with what it actually, costs Il
g Government to perform the servi
I and such being and the conditiC
y he says there is no sound ag
o ment against fixing the local l.
@ ter rate at one cent per ounce"
-r--~s~ Il