The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1924-12-29
HIGHER.
POSTAL RATE
URGED
Advertising Clubs Propose
That Service Be SeIf-Sus-
tanning Despite Cost

A demand that Congress raise
second-class mail rates even higher
than the schedule proposed In the
Sterling omnibus postal bill was
made to the joint Congressional
postoffice committee today by Rich
ard II. Lee, Of New York, repre-
senting the direct mail service of
the Associated Advertising Clubs Of
the World.
Lee declared that second class
rates should be increased to meet
the $75,00O,000 deficit reported in
the Postoffice Departments cost
ascertainment report although the
100000 increase, proposed in TIC
Sterling bill, has been denounced
by newspaper publishers as certain
to drive publications out Of the
mails.
1.-THE cost ascertainment report
gives an accurate basis for any
needed change in postal rates. said
Lee.
Should Be Self-SuppOrting.
1.-THE Postoffice Department was
never intended to make profit,
and from the fact that it does
render definite service, the bene-
fit of which goes to the user in
proportion to the use he makes of
it, 1t should be self-sustaining, and
no part of the cost of transporting
the mail should be charged up to
the general public except upon
those items where the public re-
ceives the general benefit. Any
other course is bound to result in
a virtual subsidy to those classes
Of the mail which are carried at
a loss.
1.-THE recommendations of the
Postmaster General allocate to sec
ond class less than $4,000, 900, of
a total of $50 1000 900, to be raised,
although the report shows a loss
upon second class Of approximately
$75, 900. 900, and of that recommended
ton we do complain. We challenge
any man to justify the recon-
mendation that parcel-post or
fourth class with a loss of less
than $1,000, 900. be required to pro-
duce $12,000,000, or. a profit of
Sc, 000,O 900, upon present figures;
that third class, with loss of $780,
900 900, be required to produce $1S,-
00O, 900, or a profit Of $4,000 900,
upon present figures; that first
class, with a present profit of more
than $4,000, 900, be required to
produce an additional profit Of
$12 500 900; while second class, with
a deficit of SIS, 900 900, be permitted
10 make up mere $4,000. 900, and
charge up to other users Of the
mails continuing deficit of $685.
600 900.
Service Is Cited.
ITO all intents and purposes,
second class matter goes as first
class. 1t is fact too well known
for dispute that Chicago news
papers of yesterday are being read
in the Capitol today, but who in
the Capitol has received the parcel
post package mailed in Chicago
yesterday?
1T is true that news, to continue
as news, must be delivered
promptly. We do not question the
necessity for the transportation of
newspapers on the first fast train
following publication, but we de-
mand that this service be paid for"
H. j. Buckley, of Chicago and
Charles w. Collier, of Detroit, also
appeared for the direct mail
service. They argued that the cost
ascertainment report should be
followed in levying higher postal
rates.
I'VE are entirely willing to accept
the Departments cost ascertain
ment said Buckley. 1--WE are will
ing to accept an equitable portion
of rate increases based upon that
report"