Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-02-16
MAIL RATE RAISE
FINALLY IS KILLED
Plan to Increase Postage on
i. Newspapers Knocked Out
i. by Senator Lodge.
s'DRY" RIDERS ARE ADDED

Proposed increased postage rates on
newspapers and magazines and pro-
vision for one-cent postage on drop let
tiers finally were eliminated from the
postal bill today on point of order by
Senator Lodge that they had no place
on such a measure under the Senate
bules This action is expected to end
the fight at this session for the pro-
visions.
Senator Lodge made his point of or
der after the Senate had spent two
hours wrangling over amendments
suggested to take the place of this
provision and over the parliamentary
situation. He said he objected for the
purpose of expediting the passage of
the bill" since the Senate had talked
about such legislation for several days
and failed TO reach a satisfactory con-
clusion-
Zone System Proposed.
Before the point of order was made
Senator Norris proposed an amendment
TO apply the parcel post zone system
TO second-class mail. with charge of
one-half cent a pound for the first $50
miles and 3Is cents pound over 1900
miles Senators Bankhead and Hoke
smith proposed somewhat similar
amendments. but they all went out on
the point of order.
Increased Rate Matter Reopened.
The whole subject Of increased second
class mail rates and one-cent drop letter
postage in cities and towns and on rural
routes was reopened late yesterday in the
Senate. Amendments containing these
provisions had been ruled out of the post
once appropriation bill in committee of
order ~
When the bill passed from the commit
zee OF the whole to the Senate yesterday
with many senators absent from the
chamber. Senator Smoot reoffered the
amendment to reduce postage on drop let
.eIs 10 one cent an ounce; As this would
greatly decrease the postal revenues Sen
ator Bryan, acting for the post office com
m1ttee, asked the Utah senator to couple
with 1t the amendment to advance the
rate on newspapers and magazines to a
cent and a half pound for next wear and
Two cents pound the following wear
rms was done, and Senator Robinson the
Presiding officer, submitted the amend
call. escaping attention of MANY SEN
ators who had opposed the propositions.
news or the development brought
members from cloak and committee
rooms In storm of disapproyal.
Charges OF snap action and unfair
tactcs were made until Seantor Smoot
agreed to move for a reconsideration
SI tne vote The motion to reconsider
unaily prevailed by a vote of SO TO 26
Dry Amendments Accepted.
The Senate adopted an Amendment +o
the post Office appropriation bill ves-
terday afternoon which would mako
criminal the importation of liquor into
states which prohibit it's manufacture
and sale for beverage purposes, and
Whlcn would exclude liquor advertise
5nents from the mails in states which
leglsiate against such ADVERTISING
Inc amendment was added by Senator
deed OF Missouri to the Jones amend
ment barring newspapers or other pub
ucaiohs or letters and postal cards
containing liquor advertisements from
the mails in states which have laws
against such advertising. 1t was
eeopted after brief debate by vote
OF 40 TO II. by the Senate sitting as
committee of the whole.
Inc REED amendment, which awaits
lows: ' IS as ioi-
whoever shall order. purcbase or
cause intoxicatin liquors to be trans
ported in interstate commerce except
1or scientific. sacramental, medicinal or
mechanical purposes, into any state or
territory the laws of which state or
territory prohibit the manufacture or
sale therein of intoxicating LIQUORS for
pseidse purposes, snail be punished
Dy me OF not more than 1000 or
imprisonment not more than six
months. % both, and for any subse-
quent offense shall be imprisoned not
more than one year"
The effect of this provision if finally
accepted by the Senate and agreed to
by the House will be to make all pro-
hioition states bone dry" 1t will
operate against provisions in various
states permitting importation of lin
tied amounts of liquor for Individual
consumption.