Evening star., 1932-07-13

The increase in letter postage rates,
its effect and reception are subjects of
wide comment. Opinions differ as to
It's importance as a revenue getter and
there is much speculation as to how the
general public will react to this form
of taxation
Recalling that Congress and the
Post Office Department expect the
higher rate to produce s160,000,000 in
additional revenue" the New Castle
News is inclined to believe that events
during the next few months may show
them to have been overly optimistic" ="
The probable course Of events is fore
cast by the Minneapolis Journal in the
statement: "The higher letter postage
may for a time cut down the country's
letter writing for other than business
reasons. 1t may also reduce business
letters to essentials. But in a short
time all but the big mailers will be back
in the mails again, as ready to write at
three cents as for two. The big mail
ers will find ways to keep down their
mail volume even though their bills are
as high as now, or higher. And the
sucker ists-they may come down to
the habituals, with the hazy prospects
relieved of annoyance"
fortunately" thinks the Davenport
y,
tax increases made by Uncle Sam which
little concerns the average citizen, or,
as we might say, the man at the bottom
of the economic pyramid. He and his
family as a rule write but few letters,
and therefore the increased postage rate
is insignificant to him. But it is quite
q different story with merchants, manu-
facturers, jobbers and corporations do
ing q heavy mail business. To them the
increase will add considerably to their
overhead" The Democrat points to the
announcement that lone mail-order
house will pay additional postage an
nually of 1925 0O0."
For the third time in the Nations
history" says the New York Sun, the
United States has imposed three
cent rate on first-class mail. There
are other changes in the mail rates,
but the one which will affect the
largest number of persons and which
brings in the greatest amount OF rev.
enue to the Government Is the change
in the first-class rate, effective today.
Increases in taxes often bring avoid
ance or evasion; 1t remains to be seen
whether a decline in business or social
correspondence will follow the increase
in the frst-class rate. The efusive
writer who mails thick letter that
requires two 3-cent stamps Is patriot
from now on, putting two more cents
into the Federal Golfers"
1t Is recalled by the Rochester Times
Union that 1.-The postal deficit was car
ried along for a number Of years" but
that paper adds that when balancing
the budget became difficult 1t was de-
cided that the postal service must be
made more nearly self-supporting," and
that raising the rates on letter mail
was chosen as the easiest way Of get
ting the additional revenue"
1T may be poetic justice" declares
the Oklahoma City Oklahoman, that
SO per cent increase in first-class
postage rates becomes effective almost
at the same time the Congressman who
helped foist this added burden upon
the country must 60 to the polls in their
quest for denomination" The Lincoln
State journal voices the similar warn
ing as to the effect: Most people have
purchased stamps all their lives for two
cents, barring the World War interlude,
and the three cents of today is irri-
tating. If the new postage rates serve
to keep the citizen reminded of his
duty they may prove a vast benefit to
the country in the end. If the citi-
zen Is thereby reminded to register and
to vote whenever occasion offers, and
when voting be careful in the selection
Of men, the country will be aided. II
TIA pepregeptatiYeS Of thu pe6ple Xe7a