Smyrna times., 1916-03-22
BILLS BEFORE CONGRESS
FAVOR ONE CENT POSTAGE
CAMPAIGN INITS EXTENT IS MA
TON WIDE FOR THIS REFORM
Would Save Letter Users S75,ooo,-
600 Annually-Especially DO Bust
ness Men Want One Cent Postage

Nation wide in its extent is a cam
paign which is being waged for the
securing of one cent letter postage,
reform which would save letter
users If the United States over SIS. =
600, 700 a year. Fifty.three separ
ate bills calling for a one cent rate
on letters delivered in the city in
which they originate have been intro
duced in congress during the present
session. forty-four of these being
introduced in the House of Representa-
tives. twenty-five by democrats and
twenty two by republicans. In the
Senate two democrats have presented
similar bills. and seven republicans
have fathered measures for the lower
letter postage rate. II may thus he
seen thst the campaign has no pOlit-
ical significance. but that il is being
waged on behalf Of the letter users
Of the country in an earnest effort
to lower the present high rate charge
for carrying letters. Back Of the
mos ement is a national organization
known as the National One Cent Let
ter Association with headquarters
at Cleveland. o. Charles William
Burrows is president and George 7.
Mcintosh is secretary treasurer and
general manager. The organization
has a large membership in every
state of the union, and is being back
ed by thousands of letter users in the
effort to secure lower postage rates.
The immediate plan of the campaign
is to secure ore cent letter postage n
locally delivered letters in all cities
and towns where deliveries sre made.
Later it is the purpose to secure a
general one cent rate.
Project Endorsed by Organizations
Several hundred national organiza
tions have cordially endorsed the
movement. and thousands Of local
organizations, such as Chambers of
Commerce, Boards Of Trade and SINH
lar bodies have given it their ap-
prevail At the present time, accord
ing to experts who are familiar with
the postal conditions at Washington.
the United States government is de.
irving a surplus of over SIS. 600, OOC
year on its letter postage. While
a two cent rate is charge for carrying
letters. il has been shown that they
can be handled for one cent. The
experts ssy that with the inaugura
ton OF one cent letter postage rate
the increase in the volume OF mai
matter would recompense the govern
ment for any reduction there might
be due to the Inauguration Of tbs
lower rate. Ses eral score of the lead
ing members of congress are backing
the movement, and working earnestly
in it's behalf. A series Of meetings
under the auspices of the House Com
mitees in charge of postal matters is
being held. and many strong argu
ments are being presented in behal
of the one cent rate.
Local Delivery Letters at One Cent
That the business of the depart
ment is rapidly increasing is indicates
by the reports in the volume Of mai
matter carried. Further stimulus
il is claimed. will be given this in
crease were letter users Of the eoun
try permitted 10 mail sealed letter
under a one cent rate, particular
those letters which are ubjeet (
local delivery. 1t is pointed out tina
IL letter can be carried from NeV
York TO San Francisco for two cents
locally delivered letters could b
handled for a far less sum. That tn
government is now making a hand
some profit is not denied. Friend
or the lower rate claim that the dc
partment was never organized for IN
purpose Of making a profit, but rattle
for doing business on a cost basis.
eve are in this right to the finish
declares George T. Mcintosh. secrC
tary treasurer. and general manage
of the campaign. 1--WE have receive
= assurances from every part Of th
country which leads US to believ
that we will secure the undivide
support Of hundreds of organization
representating many thousands {
r users of letter postage. Congre,
I must and will listen to our demand,
and we feel confident that at no dii
tant date a one cent letter rate wi
be obtained. "
I HOG CHOLERA IN NEW CASTLE
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