Evening Republican, Volume 17, Number 309, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 29 December 1913 — POSTOFFICE HAD MUCH BUSINESS [ARTICLE]

POSTOFFICE HAD MUCH BUSINESS

Parcel Post Responsible for Large Increase Over -Receipts of Same Time Last Year. I*-* . All postoffioes of the country had a substantial increase of business over the same time last year, and in Rensselaer the cash receipts fdr the sale of postage stamps exceeded that of a year ago by about 20 per cent. The increase was more notice able in the amount of packages handled, however, than In the amount of receipts, and within four days there were sent out from the office 115 sacks carrying carcels under the new parcels post law. ■On Dec. 24 there were 41 parcel sacks sent out and 30 sacks of parcels received; on Dec. 23rd, 48 went out and 25 were received; on Dec. 22, 16 weht out and 20 were received, and on Dec. 20, 10 wait out and 10 were received. The receipts were as follows for the two years: 1913 1912 Dec. 20 $50.90 49.47 Dec. 22 51.89 40.91 Dec. 23 ....102.34 89.40 Dec. 24 ....113.32 91.39 318.45 271.17 The public took kindly to the plan to let the postoffice clerks lick the stamps and this expedited the work atj the stamp window. There was a good nature about the persons sending packages that carried the Christmas spirit with it and the public seemed disposed to he more friendly than is usually the custom in the hustle of busy days. Every train took out every package that had been mailed in time for it, there being no delay at any time in sending out the parcels, which had the same attention as first-class mail. Of the packages sent out 385 were insured by the senders against loss. Of all the packages received only two came in damaged because of poor wrapping and this damage was to the package itself and not the articles enclosed. The new parcels rates go Into effect on Jan. Ist and the change Is go material that it will doubtless eventually revolutionize the business of the postoffices of the country. The new rate provides that packages up to 50 pounds can be sent within the first and second zones and up to 20 pounds In the third, fourth, fifth and sixth zones. The rate within the first zone will be five cents on the first pound and an increase at the rate-of one cent per two pounds up to 50 pounds. This will permit a 50 pound package to he sent any place within the first zone for 30 cents. The second zone rate is 5 cents for the first pound and an increase of a cent per pound, so that a 50 pound packages can be sent in the second zone for 54 cents. The third zone rate la 6 cents for the first pound and 2 cents for each additional pound or fraction thereof. The fourth zone rate is 7 cents for -the first pound and 4 cents for each additional pound or fraction thereof. The fifth zone is 8 cents for the first pound and 6 cents for each additional pound or fraction thereof.