The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1921-08-14

party took over the reins than that OF the
mail service.
What the Postofice Department under Will H.
Hays set itself to do was recalled last week by an
official who pointed to numerous reforms and mod-
fcations already effected as proof OF the practical
efficiency OF the changed policy.
The aims OF the department the majority OF them
achieved well the way to achievement, he
summarized for The Weekly Review as foilows
Postofice Buildings.
(lIN many OF the larger cities the postoffice
i buildings wholly inadequate to meet the
constant growth of the postal service As illus
tration, in New York City. where the situation is
most acute, there has been increase in postal
facilities since 1912, and yet the growth OF postal
receipts at that office has increased $50 per cent.
"The growth OF the parcel post since its estab-
hshment in 1913 has been enormous. The estimated
total number of parcels carried has increased, in
round numbers, from 332,ooo.ooo in 1913 to nearly
2ooooooooo in 1921. With this increase in the
number of parcels, there has also been decided
increase in the size and weight of parcels. 1t is
the greatest express facility in the world. One
can well imagine how such growth would affect
the mail service, with its facilities quite ade-
quate and at standstil during the period of the
war. AS result of this condition. serious considera-
ton be given to providing additional buildings
in the leading postal centers for the specific purpose
of handling parcel post packages In order pre-
vent any delay to other classes Of mail, such let
ters it has been suggested that parcel post be ham
died separately from other classes Of mail in the
congested cities and certain congested transporta
ton routes. This involves great expenditures of
money for buildings and equipment, and with the
great burden of debt the governmnt, which
be considered, the solution OF this particular
problem becomes doubly difficult. 1t is being ap-
preached, however with every angle in view and it
Is proposed rapidly possible to meet these
conditions without too great tax upon the public
treasury. 1t will have be determined whether the
problem of additional postoffice buildings be
advantageously handled through rental than
by purchase
Parcel Post.
((THE parcel post service has been open to all
i who wish to it, and during the trans
portation difficulties throughout the country,
chants and shippers found the parcel post the only
transportation agency which had not broken down.
After having used the parcel post and finding it
satisfactory these merchants and shippers have con-
tinued its Just recently the film people began
using the parcel post extensively in distributing their
films. In some of the cities merchants have been
using the parcel post for local delivery of merchan
disc to their customers. 1t must be determined by
the postal administration whether this delivery
feature of the parcel post is paying for itself and
whether a task of such magnitude should be UNDER
taken by the postal service when facilities in the
larger cities already taxed to their capacity. At
lease accurate figures to the cost of delivering
parcels through the parcel post and by private
methods must be obtained and compared before any
great extension of this service be considered
ut is fully recognized that such a parcel delivery
service is public convenience and has possibilities
for economy through consolidating parcels delivery
facilities in cities. Yet its maintenance should
be tax upon the public Treasury. In order to pro-
tect parcels in transit from damage there must be
considered the more extensive use of hampers
some such containers in which place parcels, in
stead of in bags.
1.-THE parcel post problem alone presents task of
such magnitude to engage the best minds in Con-
gress and in the Postofce Department to preserve
and continue its growth as public convenience