The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-08-07

tion immediately will inaugu-
 \ rate a campaign for 1 cent let ter postage, in accordance with recom- mendations of Secretary A. c. Smith in his annual report, which was adopted by the recent convention in Birming ham. The association also will work for an absent voter's' law, which will enable a voter to cast his ballot by mail, when he is unable, for good cause, to be away from his home on election day.
 Secretary Smith made the following statement in regard to the 1 cent let ter postage:
 "Traveling men are interested in this for several reasons. It not only will be saving to them personally, but to the houses they represent, and they are even more vitally interested in another direction. One or the other is coming, either 1 cent letter postage or a parcel post bill that will be a death blow to the retail merchants of the country. The Postal Progress league, l understand, is working for a parcel post bill for one rate for the
 
 the business of the retailer. The only way to prevent such bill is to work for and secure the passage of bill by Congress to make each class of mail pay the cost of it's service, which will give us 1 cent letter postage, adequate compensation for postoffice employees, efficient service in the department and will prevent a worse parcel post bill
  kill the business of our retail mer- chants? A parcel post bill such as mentioned would mean the elimina- tion of many of our retail merchants and the serious crippling of others, which would affect the wholesale mer- chants approximately, thereby jeop- ardizing the positions of travelling men.
 Here are few reasons why we should at once have 1 cent drop letter postage:
 First. Because revenue from l cent drop letter rate will probably be larger than from the present 2 cent rate for reasons explained in para graphs five and six below. Confirm ing this prediction the deputy post master general of Canada in a recent interview made a statement to the following effect: Canada had 1 cent drop letter rate until a war tax of anther cent was added, making the rate 2 cents. This has occasioned a very large falling off, resulting in loss of revenue.
 Second. Because a locally delivered letter does not cost the department more than from 1s to A of cent, and to charge cents Is exorbitant.
 Third. Because at 1 cent rate the government would be making from 300 to 700 per cent profit.
 'Fourth. Because no reduction is asked on postal cards, of which there were more than 1000, 900, ,000, or s2O,- 000,000 worth used last year, large portion of these being locally deliv- cred.
 Fifth. Because now many mer- chants and manufacturers having large local mail, deliver it within a radius of a mile or so by office boys thus making large savings. With l cent rate this mail would all return to the department. The 800 to 700 per cent profit on this extra mail merits consideration
 Sixth. Because on account of the exorbitant charge many dealers send invoices in packages of goods. With a 1 cent letter rate this mail also would return to the department, again in- creasing profits.
 Seventh. Because users of lette, postage are clearly entitled to a uni versal letter rate of 1 cent, and to con- t1nue the excessive cent rate on local deliveries is doubly unjust. Eighth. Because the postoffice is maintained for the service of the peo- pie; reducing rates increases use and therefore usefulness of the service"
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 The big Travellers Protective associa- tion barbecue, which was scheduled for Saturday, August 19, has been post poned to Saturday. August 26, because 1t will be impossible for the local trav- elers to secure a special train to con- vey them to the picnic grounds on the 18th. Announcement will be made later concerning the place where the barbe- cue will be held and the trains etc. Post will hold meting next Satur- day night at the Chamber of Commerce and will complete the arrangements for the event.
 The entertainment committee met Saturday in the office of Col. H. B. Kennedy and outlined a tentative pro- gramme of entertainment which will be added to and detailed announcement made later.
 The committees working on the mat ter are: Arrangements, J. B. Robin son. chairman; F. O. Harvey, Frank Means. o. P. Fontaine. W. R. Mabry and M. D. Benton. Entertainment, w. J. Ashton, chairman; H. B. Kennedy. Harry Todd, Charles E. Abrams, O. P. Fontaine, M. D. Benton, J. M. Williams, T. R. Epperson and H. E. Shropshire.
 The United Commercial Travellers are especially urged to attend the barbe- cue and an invitation was extended Council No. 172 at it's meeting Satur- day night, when the date was an nounced as August 19. The date is changed, but the warmth and sheer lity of the invitation is enhanced The invitation also is extended to all trav- cling men, whether a member of the T. P. A. or not, for Post wants every traveller to enjoy its hospitality at the barbecue.
 That was rousing meeting of local council No. 172, U. c. T., Saturday night, and the boys were out in goodly number. The boys of old 172 have the right spirit and they always have live. ly meetings there
 Rex R. Conwell was in Birmingham