West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1916-12-14
Urges New Law TO AID Parcel Post
Cut Cost OF Living

WASHINGTON. Dec. Sin his an
nual report made public today. POST
master General Burloson discusses the
high cost OF living an connection with
the parcel post service. lie urges
Congress TO provide means for clos
er relation between the producer and
the consumer through the parcel post.
Undoubtedly" says the report. "tho
parcel post offers a practical means OF
reducing the cost OF living in our great
cities. It's use as means OF direct
exchange between the producer on the
farm and the consumer I'm the city has
already tended 20 bring about this de-
sirable result. However. the present
conditions I'm which certain OF the
rural carriers have endeavored TO dis
courage the shipments OF parcels con
tanning farm produce has operated 20
the serious disadvantage OF the public.
Many carriers using motor cycles or
horse drawn vehicles do not want 20
get new business which would require
the use OF larger vehicle. This con-
dition works "a hardship not only up
on the producer. but also upon the
populations of our cities, and stands In
immediate need OF a drastic remedy"
The parcel post, the report shows. is
handling approximately LOO 900, 900
parcels a year. an average of more
than 9OOO0,OOO a month.
Mr.. Burleson. i'm calling attention to
the fact that during the last four
years the postofIice department has
paid into the general fund of the treas
ury a surplus from year to year now
totalling $12,500,000 declares that the
postal service should not be permitted
to become n revenue-producer for the
government. but that all surplus pos
tai revenues should be used for the
enlargement OF the service, to increase
postal efficiency, and when justifable,
to reduce the rates of postage.
I'm any event." he says. "the de-
partment recommends that, as early
as practicable, the one-cent postage
rate be adopted for all drop letters
An appropriation of 100000 for ex-
periments in aerial transport of mails
is asked for. Mr.. Burleson notes
with interest the effort to transport
mails from Chicago to New York by
aeroplane, and says "the department
Is cooperating fully with the National
Advisory Committee for Aeronautics
looking to the establishment of a care
fully conducted experimental aerial
mail service"
But he is particularly interested in
he dirigible balloon type of airshiI
because of its carrying capacity, and
adds that the department is inter
astod in determining the practicability
Of this method of transportation will
a view to It's utilization"
Mr.. Burleson says that the pneumat-
ic tube service in New York and other
cities retards the handling of mails
lie declares that strict observance OF
The spirit and letter of civil service
has been maintained and recommends
that the classified service be extended
20 postmasters OF the first. second and
| third classes.
| Asserting that but for the Euro.
pean war the department would have
shown a surplus of not less than $751;
100000 during the last four years. Mr.
Burleson points to the deficits for the
eight years if the two preceding adj
illustrations (which drained the
treasury of s4s,739, 500 and $24.927
| 557 respectively