Pueblo chieftain., 1921-07-07
INCREASE IN POSTAL RATES

petitioned from all over the country
to this effect. and despite the strong
recommendation of the postofhce de-
psrtment, the Longworth bill, which
had this for its object, has died in com
mittee.
The Subscriber VIII
EXCEPT for the most prosperous news.
papers and periodicals, 1t is highly
probable that subscription prices viii
have to be boosted to cover this add
tional burden. II was Just this point
on which the main night against the
increases has been ha sed from the first
The ultimate sufferer from the in
creases is bound to be the mail sub.
scriber 10 newspapers and periodicals
IL means making education and ths
knowledge OF current news the recipi-
ent of another tax.
Mr.. I.ongworth and officials of the
portofYice department are utterly at a
loss to understand the action of the
postoftices and post roads committe7
Of the house. AS the end sought 10y
publishers of newspapers and period
icAls was merely n postponcment OF
putting the fourth increase into effect
so that an impartial investigation into
the necessity and Justice of the increase
might he made, the committees action
has caused no little chagrin and dis
appointment.
Not even the author of the bill Il
postpone this last boost In mail rate
was ahle to find out exactly how tho
committee voted on his bill. II is Mr..
Longworth's understanding. however,
that considerable majority OF tho
committee voted to table his measure.
Under tn. existing rules OF the house
It is now impossible TO get the bill
before the house for Its consideration
except by going to the rules ccmmittcr
and. by overriding the committee which
killed the bill, order 1t reported to ths
house.
VIII Con,tas~ the Fight
Even n this course were pursued
with so many OF the committee mem
bers actively opposing the neasure,
II Is extremely doubtful 10 favorsh's
action could be procured from the
membership Of the house. Propou-
ents of the Longworth bill and tho
postoffice department itself have sur
fered defeat thru the action Of the
committee. There may be many eN-
trancous reasons affecting the action
of the committee. Il Is realized. and IN"
whole matter undoubtedly win be r.
vivsd thru the Introduction Of a neT
bill at the most propitious time.
II is whispered around the corridors
OF tho capitol that the existing fcelinr
and the executive departmnts Of the
government may have had something
TO do with turning down tho tongvorth n
measure Postmaster General Hays
stood ready TO order n thoro investiva
tion into the whole matter Of second
class mall rates embracing every anglA
OF N.
II has been suggested IN som. con-
EresSlonal quarters that the very fact
that the postof'ice department recon-
mendsJ favorable COMMITTEES action and
adoption by congrens OF the Longworfn
hill may have had soms;hinr to do
with the Killing OF the.-measure.
There is feeling on tn, par -
many members OF Congress that th'
executive departments Of the govern
mont having IN their power many - e
polntments have failed to act as
speedily az they might in ou.'iry
Democrats and installing Republican,
THIS feeling is becoming evident IN
many ways. and may have had som"
influence on the fate OF LonSworth''
inNnded legislation.