New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-06-04
Take Away the Subsidy!


Saturday in desperate effort to defeat an
increase in second class postal rates were
unusually frank in their arguments. Their
one fixed idea is to retain the subsidy
which the government now grants them
in the shape of undercharges on the car
rage Of second class mail matter.
They admit that they want to go on
enjoying that subsidy, and they realize
that, once it has been withdrawn, the gov
eminent will never restore it. They are
therefore anxious to substitute for an
equalization of second class rates, which
will be permanent in character because
justified by sound principles of postal ad-
ministration, a purely emergency tax on
the volume of newspaper and magazine
advertising. They could ask for repeal
of this tax when the war is over. But
thew have no hope that scientific revision
of second class rates, through the intro
auction Of the zone system created by the
House BILL can ever be upset. 1t is OBJ
vious that trial of such scheme for
wear or two would vindicate it completely.
There would then be as little chance of
relapse to the old fiat rate undercharge
on second class matter for the benefit Of
publishers unwilling to pay their way. as
there would be of a revival Of the old
parcel post fat rate system, with its lu-
dicrous Limitation on weight, for the bene-
fit of the once all-powerful express com
panies.
\ general tax on advertising, with
retention of the discriminating and made
ouate fat rate on second class matter,
would simply continue the glaring Unequal
tiles which every investigating commits
sion has found to exist in the second class
mail service. The government has been
6evoting millions of dollars every year to
promoting the sale of periodicals and
newspapers which avail themselves of the
long haul privileges granted under exist
ing postal laws. 1t carries bulky second
class mail from New York 20 San Fran
cisco for the same charge for which 1t
carries it from New York to Philadelphia
The newspaper or magazine sent 1000
miles or 5000 miles is delivered at a
heavy loss to the Postofice Department.
Circulation facilities are thus furnished
at the public expense and publications
of wide circulation are unfairly benefited.
There is no reason why the government
should carry mail of any sort at loss.
There is even less reason why it should
make the same charge for carrying bulky
matter 5000 miles as it does FOR carrying
ii fifty miles. The zone system of rates,
which proportions cost TO service, is the
only rational system to apply to second
class or TO parcel post matter. 1t estab-
fishes justice between different classes of
shippers, and it brings the government a
proper return for the longer haul. The
inadequate fiat rate is an undesirable form
Of government charity.
Mr.. Simmons, the chairman Of the SEN
ate Finance Committee, showed a thorough
grasp Of the situation when he told the
publishers who appeared at Washington
that snow is the psychological time to dis
pose of the postal rate question" That is
the truth. Congress has been wrestling
with the problem for years, and every in
telligent Congressman knows that the
present second class rate scheme is vicious
and out Of date. Now the publication bust
ness is expected to do its part in providing
more revenue for the government 1t can
save the Treasury 100000 or S6O,O0O,-
900 or ssO,OOO,OOO a year according to
various estimates) by surrendering its
present second class mail subsidy. II should
be willing TO do this without protest. 1t
should greatly prefer 20 a general tax on
advertising an abandonment Of its ancient
end costly second class privilege privi-
lege too, whose benefits arc absorbed by
a relatively small class Of publications.
The zone system Of second class rates
must come in time, because it is fair and
scientific. Congress knows that it is
wrong, but has lacked the courage TO
antagonize its powerful benefciares.
Now, the exigencies Of war make the ac-
conplishment Of this long-delayed postal
reform easy. We trust that Chairman
Simmons will live up TO his convictions
and will hold the committee with him.
An emergency tax on newspaper and pc
riodca advertising will be unnecessary
If the second class rates are intcligently
resdjusted. The bill passed by the House
Of Representatives made such readjust-