Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1924-05-05
Increased Postal Rates

er $l50,000,000 tax on bust
ness-which, of course, will be
passed on to the consumer-ac-
cording to the statisticians OF
the Associated Advertising
Clubs of the World.
So many bills affecting the
postal situation have been offer
ed to congress recently that the
public at large has failed to real
ize the full significance of items
proposed. Two of the meas
ures which are likely to be ac-
cepted will, if they are passed,
have disastrous consequences on
business conditions in the Unit
ed States.
These bills are the Kelly bill,
which proposes an increase of
$150,000,000 to postal en-
ployes on a horizontal basis, and
the Paige bill, which proposes
to raise $ll0,000,000 of this
sum by an increase in parcel
post, second and third class
rates.
Unquestionably, the postal
employees are entitled to an in
crease in salary. Whether or
not horizontal increase is a
just an equitable thing, is open
to discussion. But the propos-
ed measure of raising the funds
by an arbitrary increase in pos
tai rates will not only be UNI
fair, but it will be Intellectual
because trebling the rates must
result in loss of business =
divergence of large part of the
parcel post business of the post
office to the express companies.
Business men. particularly,
should be vitality interested in
the fact that congress after APP
propriating 100000 for a de-
partmental investigation of
costs now proposes to ignore the
findings Of this department.
After working several months
IN the most complete and thor
ough analysis of costs ever un-
dertaken, the postal department
will be read y to report on the
basis of costs in July or August.
This report will give the equit-
able basis upon which any pro-
posed increase is to be made.
10 pass arbitrary rates at this
time would be manifestly unfair.
Regarding the proposed in
crease in the Kelly bill, the sta
tistician of the Associated Ad-
vertising Clubs says;
Remember just a few months
ago, when you sent that package.
parcel post charges were &c?
Well, if Congressman Faige has
ms way, you will have to paw 27c
80 VIC AdkNlE.
And remember when YOU ord
cred that dozen eggs from the
country, the parcel post charges
came to Sc? If Congressman
Palge's bill goes into effect. it
VIII be case of chose DAVIS
nave gone forever" for YOU will
have to add parcel post rates to
the tune of 24c for every four
zone. o'N
AT that, YOU will be getting off
easy. Think of the plight of the
treasurer of the big manufactur-
ing company or wholesale house
who has been in the habit of SION
ing checks for thousand dollars
OF SO TO cover the cost of his
parcel post shipments. He faces
the prospect of making his check
three thousand dollars instead of
one Thousand dollars.
1t is the old story-where con-
gress is confronted with the
problem of raising funds-and
the easiest expedients are to
pas sit on to business and to let
the farmer pay.
That Is true in regard to the
proposed bill which viii tax the
laras manufacturers of the Unit
ed States and also add the cost
of this shipping, in large part,
onto the farmer buyer.
Postmaster General New very
wisely advocates awaiting the
report of the 100000 investiga-
tion of his department before de-
Gliding the matters of rates and
salaries.
The government is in compe-
tition with the express compa-
mics. Parcel post rates must be
kept LOWER than EXPRESS
rates or the shipper will place
his business with the express
company.
Already most business from
newspapers and magazines is
going to express companies and
the railroads because they han
die it CHEAPER than the gov
eTHmeHt. -s4--
One South Georgia nswspa-