Opinion ID: 370472
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Average Weight of Second-Class Publications

Text: 108 The magazine publishers attack as contrary to the evidence the PRC's adoption of the Postal Service's estimate that the average weight of a second-class regular rate publication in the test year would be 6.1 ounces. 106 They assert that this figure represents an unjustified extrapolation from a recent downward trend in the average weight of second-class publications. Invoking a survey of Magazine Publishers Association (MPA) members, the publishers argue that the downward trend has been reversed, and that average weight has actually increased. The result is a $29 million underestimation of the revenues that will be generated by the two poundage charges, which together account for 52 percent of second-class regular rate revenues. 107 109 It is not our function to weigh again evidence that was carefully considered by the PRC. 108 The Commission discounted the MPA study as inconclusive because its sample MPA members was not necessarily representative of all second-class publications. The Commission further noted that the seeming downward adjustment of average weights in the test year to 6.1 ounces from the average weight of 6.2 ounces found in fiscal years 1976 and 1977 was not a downward extrapolation at all, but was merely the product of rounding the detail actually used in the projection. 109 Finally, the Commission concluded that any increase in revenues resulting from increased weight would be offset, at least partially, by increased costs, and that, even assuming such a revenue excess, the resulting second-class regular rate cost coverage of 105 percent would not be unreasonable. 110 Though the evidence is in conflict, a substantial evidentiary basis for the PRC's decision is present, and we have no warrant to substitute the court's assessment of the evidence for the considered judgment of the Commission. 110