New Britain herald., 1925-04-15
NEW POSTAL RATES NOW EFFECTIVE
Special Service Assures Speedier
 Handling Of Parcels

A new service which Is expected to be of considerable advantage to merchants particularly as well as others who use the parcel post to any extent is special handling service" inaugurated at midnight last night when the changed postal rates went into effect.
 This service enables person sending a parcel post package, by adding an additional special service stamp at cost of 25 cents, to have his package handled the same as first class mail. The addition of special delivery stamp as we'll as a special handling service stamp will give the package the same service as though 1t were sent by private messenger, according to Postmaster H. E. Erwin. According to Mr. Erwin it will enable Q businessman to telephone New York before the close of business this evening for a package and to receive it in the first delivery tomorrow morning. r. Another important change is that requiring two cent stamp on post cards or what it known as private mailing cards. which are distinct from the government postal cards. This is Q direct increase of from one to two cents on these cards.
 This is the only change in rates on first class postage.
 In the second class, which applies only to newspapers and magazines, the rate will be two cents for each two ounces or fraction thereof up 10 eight ounces. Above eight ounces packages will take the parcel post rate.
 In the third class, which includes printed matter and merchandise up to eight ounces. the rate will be one and a half cents for each two ounces or fraction. There is one exception to this rate, books, seeds. cuttings, bulbs, plants, roots, etc., will be handled at the present rate which is one cent for each two ounces or fraction thereof. up to eight ounces.
 The fourth class rate, which real ly is the parcel post rate, all print ed matter and merchandise above eight ounces will be handled at the present zone rate, but there IS an added service charge of two cents per package, regardless of destina- | ton.
 Insurance fees show slight in- crease. For packages in value not more than $5 there is a charge of five cents. which is an increase Of two cents. For packages valued at not more than s25 there is a charge of eight cents which is an increase of three cents. Packages of s25 to $50 will be insured for 10 cents, and from $50 to $100 for 25 cents, there being no change in the latter. There will be an extra charge of three cents where a return receipt is re- auested. This is new service charge.
 Registry fees will be as follows: First class mail. valueof $50, fee 15 cents, an increase of five cents. Values up to $100, fee of 20 cents, (which is no change.
 In third class matter value up to s25 the fee is IS cents, an increase of five cents. Return receipts are three cents additional.
 These rates do not apply on for cign mail, where the rate remains unchanged, except the return receipt will be five cents instead of three.
 Fees for c. o. D. packages also show slight increase. For pack ages valued at $1O. the fee will be 12 cents, an increase of two cents, for packages from s10 to $50 the c. o. D. fee is Is cents. an increase of five cents, while packages valued at from $50 to S100 have the same c. o. D. fee of 25 cents attached.
 Money orders up to s2,50 will cost the purchaser five cents now instead of three. Up to $5 they will be sev- en cents instead of five. Up to SIG they will be 10 cents instead of eight
 Inasmuch as the postal depart ment at Washington is being swamp ed with orders for new stamps, fast CT than they can be supplied, there will be some time required getting adjusted 10 the new rates. A num- Der of new stamps have been print ed. A half cent stamp is of dark brown color and bears a picture ol Nathan Hale. There will be a new