Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1916-11-30
NEW POSTAL RATES
May HIVE One Cent Postage on Local
Delivery Letters.

The ways are now being creased for
the launching Of the movement for the re-
adjustment OF postal rates in the next
session OF Congress This problem was
10 have been taken up in the last session
hut had to be deferred on account Of the
consideration required by railway mail
pay. Since this has been disposed Of the
the committees are prepared to take up
the matter Of placing various postal
rates on more equitable basis
A zone system Of rates for second class
matter is being prominently urged to
take the place Of the present fiat which
was adopted nearly forty wears AGO. The
present rate has for some time been re
garded MS n discrimination against the
newspapers in favor of the great nation
al magazines, Like the parcel post the
proposed zone rates would be based on
the length of the haul
The postal committees have been be-
sieged by petitions bearing millions of
names and several hundred thousand let =
tors from individuals urging a readjust-
nent Of postal rates with view of MAX
ing possible one cent letter postage 4
survey of the situation indicates that
sufficient changes will be made in the
various rates to permit the granting OF
one cent rate on local delivery letters in
the next session of Congress.
Chairman Moon Of the house posta,
committee. to-day said; ~ think that
the committee will take up this second
class mail matter at the next session and
press it to conclusion at once While
| cannot speak for the COMMITTEES this is
my desire in the matter. dc not know
what kind Of bill we will PASS wheth
il viii have zone feature attached to
il or not. Thf view has been present ed
frequently in years past and sometimes
received favor and sometimes not AS to
what shape the legislation win be in
am not able TO say. but I am sure the
committee will give it the best possible
shape in the public interest
Commenting on the proposed changes
in the rates on letters Senator Weeks.
OF Massa chusetts, formerly chairman of
the House postal committee and now n
member of similar committee in the
Senate, said; THE government is making
large profit from first class mail. lust
how much ii is hard to say, but it must
he nearly one cent of every two paid for
each stamp placed on letter And the
profit derived on letters for delivery in
the same city or town in which they are
mailed must be even greater In view
of this condition. believe that Congress
should take up the matter Of more eQuit-
hpiJ IHt THte' or postage
Congressman Ernest w. Roberts. of
Massachusetts,, takes the stand that ANY
announcement that can be extended
business by the government, without in
jury to the individual, should be done
with as little delay as possible. Congress
could greatly improve the situation by
reducing the rate OF postage from two
cents to one cent on local delivery let
tiers, without any drain on the public
eXchequer."
Every patron OF the postal service
will appreciate a one cent rate on drop
letters because OF the great benefit to be
derived by individuals, business estab-
llshments. banks, churches fraternities
clubs, and in fact, all forms Of business,
social and domestic life" said Represent
atlNe Joseph Walsh of Massachusetts
And further the reduction will mean not
falling off in the revenues as il is gem
orally regarded that the volume of mail
will practically be doubled Immediately
upon the installation of the new rate"