Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-05-05
POSTAL ZONE LAW
EFFECTIVE JULY |.
Bitterly Opposed by Men Promi-
nent in Business and
Politics.
PUBLISHERS CALL ACT UNFAIR
Will Render Prohibitivc Distri-
button of Magazines and Pc
riodicals to Rural Residents.

NEW YORK. May I-Publishe.s OF
imcnt in the business and political
world are rapidly aliGninE themselves
against the new postal zone law. which
is scheduled TO become effective July /.
The consensus OF opinion Is that the
paw, should II become effective, would
:urtail education and inform alton Just
Rt the time this country is passing
through new epoch making period
hnd when the public should. above all
other times be enlightened and kept In
tlose touch with International affairs
as we'll as with the conditions at home.
resolution was adopted unanimous
y BY tho American Newspapc. Pub
tshers' Association while in convcn-
lon in New York City condcmninE tho
aw as unfair and oppressive TO the
newspapers OF the country.
After the subject had been debated
throughout the day. orders were given
o have the resolution printed and sent
both by telegram and letter to every
Senator and Representative in Wash.
ngton. 1t follows:
Whereas. the postal provisions Of
tection 11ol OF the act OF Congress
approved October 3. 1917, and which Is
take effect July !. 1918. will be un.
workable in practice and VIII be most
Unfair and oppressive to the ncwspa-
pcrs OF the country and the reading
bubble:
BE II resolved by the American
Newspaper Publishers Association that
congress. IL insistent upon legislation
pr this character, be urgently request
ID to modify said Law insofar as II
fpPltes to the newspapers, along the
general lines as proposed by tic Me
Keller amendment. or IL tho time be
considered b. Congress TO short 10 do
his. that Congress be urgently re-
luested to suspend the provisions OF
aid law, insofar AS it applies to news
,apers until complete and intclli-
Eent investigation can be made OF the
ubject OF newspaper postage"
Following the adoption OF this rcso-
ution the Southern Newspaper Pub
ishera. in session. and the Inland
)aily Press Associa lion. likewise adopt
rs their unanimous opinion.
ATrITUDE Of THOUSANDS
OF CITIZENS ENPRESSED
The attitude OF thousands OF rep
esentative citizens IL aptly expressed
in n recen; statement made by James
vithycombc. Governor OF oregon. Ills
tatemcnt follows.
If II is true that the operation OF
he new postal zone law will make the
road distribution of magazines and
periodicals prohibi,ivc TO rural resi-
cnts. particularly the agricultural
lasses, l believe IL would be we'll
or the constituted authorities 10 con-
ider the probable effect OF ;he law
eriously and deliberately before i. Is
tut in effect on July l.
ITO my mind it would not be wise
this time TO discourage unduly the
REGULATION OF good literature. First
f all, the nation is passing through
n epoch making period. and the many
ssuea which are now before the poo
lie are OF such Importance that a full
Understanding Of all questions and
vents is highly desirable.
II realize that I am not in a posi-
ion TO appreciate fully The demands
- for Increased revenue at this time. bu;
honestly feel that it would be wise
weigh carefully the detrimental cf-
ects that are certain TO result from
curtai!ment OF periodical distribution
efore placing too great an additional
ssessment upon publicity agencies"