The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1924-04-24
Somerset County Agricultural News
Against Increase In Parcel Post
Rates

More oppression and harder times
for the farmers. This is sure to be
the outcome if the bill now before
Congress, to increase the parcel post
rates, becomes a law. 1t is the pro-
posal of the bill to increase the rates
for the first zone from to Is cents
per pound and for other zones pro-
Dortionately. 1t is also planned to
advance the rates on fourth class
matter, and the farmers, of course,
would be the group vitality interested.
Ii catches the farmer both going and
coming, for he has the postage TO
pay on what he receives and as
producer he has to pay the postage
on what he ships. The parcel post
rates in this respect are no different
than transportation rates on rail
roads and the farmers have long
realized that they pay the freight
both ways.
When the parcel post was inaug-
urated in 1913, largely through the
efforts Of the Grange and other farm
ers organizations, it was recognized
that it would be a benefit primarily to
farmers and those living in small
towns. e. No one will challenge the
statement that the service has lived
up to expectations.
Conditions are such at this time,
with the purchasing power of agri-
culture reduced to its lowest ebb,
that any increase in rates will jeo-
pardize the whole parcel post sys-
tenn. Any increase in rates will
greatly curtail the shipments by par
eel post to the benefit of the express
companies and to the detriment of
parcel post service to the people.
Further, the post office department is
service department Nobody ex-
poets it TO make money. There is
a grave question as to whether the
parcel post is not practically self
supporting at the present time also
whether increased rates will not
make it even less profitable than at
present. Congress appropriated one
half million dollars for the purpose
of making a detail study Of the cost
of carrying all mail including parcel
post The proposal now is for Con
gress to forget that expenditure and
with blind wisdom to readjust the
postal rates making the increase fall
wholly upon parcel post and fourth
class mails. 1t would seen that
taxes were high enough now with
out throwing away half million.
The post Office has compiled all the
data at an immense expense and will
require several months yet to analze
and report on its findings. So any
action at this session of Congress
cannot be based on the results of the
departments studies. Any Congress-
man who votes for change must do
so ignoring the fact that about a year
ago he voted for an appropriation of
one half million to be expended so
as to guide him in his vote.
The proposal to increase the parcel
post rates undoubtedly has its orr
gin in the determination of somebody
to increase the salaries of postal en-
ployees. However it is generally adj
mitted that postal employees receive
as high wages as are paid in industry
for similar positions. The point is,
why make the farmer carry the entire
burden by increasing the rates on
parcel post and fourth class matter.
Certainly this would be unwise, es-
pecially at time when a million and
a quarter farmers annually. for the
last three years, have left their farms
because they cannot make a living
The farmers have long wished for an
increase in wages. They have learn
ed to do without the things they need
and wish very much, but they are not
keen to bear an additional burden.
through the increase in parcel post
rates. Now, brother farmers, this is
our fight and we must fight our own
battles. Write our congressman
what you think about this matter and
what you want him to do about it,
Now I say again, get nervous about
this, talk it with your neighbors. get
them to fight with you. Three times
your parcel post rates, They shall
not pass
p. c. WHITE
Skowhegan, Me,
April Is, 1924.