The New York herald., 1921-10-30

will take the mail for points beyond
New York from ships arriving at Quar-
antine and also parcel post originating
In Brooklyn for points beyond New York
direct 70 river points along the Jersey
shore instead of hauling such mail
through the congcsted streets Of New
York as before. This not only expedites
mail to points beyond New York city
but also relieves congestion to consid-
erable extent in New York city.
The growth of the parcel post since
its establishment in 1918 has been enor-
nous. The estimated total number OF
Parcels carried has Increased, in round
numbers. from s32.oo0.oo0 In 1918 to
over $500, 100000 In 1921. With this
Increase in the number Of parcels there
has also been q decided increase in the
size and weight of parcels. 1t Ia now
the greatest express facility in the
world. AS q result Of this condition seri-
Gus consideration must be given to pro-
,iding additional buildings in the lead
ing postal centres for the specific pur-
pose of handling parcel post packages.
In order to prevent any delay to other
classes Of mail, such as letters. 1t has
been suggested that parcel post be ham
Gled separately from other classes Of
nail in the congested cities and on cer-
tain congested transportation routes.
This involves great expenditures y,
money for buildings and equipment. and
with the great burden Of debt on tho
Government, which must be considered.
the solution of this particular problem
becomes doubly difficult. 1t Is being
approached, however. from every angle.
and It Is proposed, as rapidly ns possf-
bic. to meet these conditions without too
great tax upon the public treasury.
The parcel post service has been open
to all who wish TO use II. and during
tho transportation difficulties OF over a
year ago merchants and shippers found
tho parcel pos Ss~aoy Of unexpected
advantage. After having used the par
eel post and, finding 1t SO satisfactory
these merchants and shippers have con-
tinued It's use. We have asked the Joint
Postal Commission to ascertain the cost
OF carrying parcel post matter. 1t had
been stated that there was large profit
in handling such matter. / am not In
Is true. am inclined to feel, after
failing to ascertain any reliable basis
for this calculation, that there has not
been profit. but loss.
We are now going into this matter
determined to hnd out In the most reia-
bic and painstaking manner the real
cost OF carrying parcel post. In num-
Der Of cities merchants are using parcel
POST for local delivery OF merchandise
t. their customers This may be at a
ccnsidera BILE loss. Figures on this fea-
which will be a basis for q decision as
tn how far we can 80 in extending this
service. The Post ONCE Department Is
obliged to accept these parcels for de-
livery when rendered. and 1t IL recog-
nized that such service Is a public con-
venience and has possibilities for econ
omy by consolidation of parcel post ia
cilities in cities Yet 1t Is chiefly
commercial matter. and its maintenance
should not become a tax on the public
treasury.
The special delivery service is receiv-
ing renewed consideration. On account
CT this class Of mail being handled in
the same car with other classes of mail
II has suffered some delay. With addi.
t!cnal facilities for handling it In transit
to be considered II will receive the des-
patch which the public pays for and ex-
poets. There has been no consideration
given to increasing the fee. It is now
hxed by law at ten cents.
To nawaken the public TO it's loss
through its carelessness as to how mail
IL addressed. how It is prepared and
when II II mailed we have to conduct
ceaseless campaigns on Mail Early"
and proper addressing OF mail. Legends
and slogans to arouse public interest In
these campaigns are printed on letter
heads. on banners. on posters and every
where. to confront the careless user Of
the mail. We are beginning in the
sch y to teach them early the value
ot proper addressing of mail
One very interesting branch Of the
postal service is the air mail. II is a
splendid thing in itself. but Il has
emcndous potential value Ia case OF
need for national defcncs. Last year the
air mail covered 1.sU0.oo0 miles and
carried 45.oo0.000 pieces OF mail. we
are utilizing the big aerial stations We
Use In connection with the air mail to
spread broadcast market reports to the
farming communities throughout the
country. and have appointed "A commits
sion to consider the feasibility Of using
the wireless telephone for this and other
bros dcasting purposes.
Reports are sent ont several times
a day now for the benefit Of farming
and II u wireless telephone
could be made practicable It win in
crease tho usefulness of the service many
fold. Great Britain has just appointed
o similar commission tS study the same
question. II Is remarkable what some
countries are doing with the wireless
telephone. The receiving instrument for
the purpose Is pretty cheap and without
any expense for upkeor. Mr.. II. b.
Howell OF Nebraska is chairman OF our
commission and lie went abroad q few
days ego Mt his own expense TO make
a study Of the service In Europe. This
Is going 70 mean very much indeed TO
thr farming communities.
The general work OF economizias In
expenditures is progressing and we are
going to save over s15.0oooo0 from tac
estimate OF the present year without any
crrtailing OF the service.
We are clearing up a great accumu-
iation of old claims for indemnity on
lost and damn sed parcels. out of 49,
coo claims, $4,000 oe which came over
from the Ia ST admin nlsfratiot, tbere ba,,o