Jasper Weekly Courier, Volume 55, Number 13, Jasper, Dubois County, 3 January 1913 — Page 3

I J 11 ' i i i i

" t Thlmmap Ii for ue oty In Unit No. 1071, In which th V L OF MEXXCO

PARCEL POST RATES REGULATED

THROUGH SYSTEM OF ZONES , Uncle Sam's New Enterprise Clearly Explained How Charges Are Fixed and What Class of Merchandise May Be Carried Through the Mails Under the Neto Law.

By EDWARD B. CLARK. With the coming of the New Year the United States government will enter into a new field of enterprise the transmittal of merchandise by what ia known as the parcel post. It is no exaggeration to say that "thousands upon thousands of inquiries have been made of the postmaster general as to Just what the parcel post will mean to the people. It was the law of congress establishing the system which made provision for a division of the country in zones and into 35,000 units which are to be "Hsed a centers in describing the circles which mark tho boundaries of the zones. There has been no clear understanding, apparently, of this zone system, but really it is a very simple matter. Tho accompanying map shows the country divided into zones from the unit in which Washington is situated, as the center. Accompanying the map is a table showing the rate of postage per pound for parcels from Washington to places within all tho xoncs. Each nit contains an area thirty miles square. Now each unit is a center from which tho zones are drawn and so every unit in the country no matter whore it is situated will have zones drawn from it just exactly as Washington has them drawn from it. For instance take Keokuk, la., which is in a unit in tho fifth zone. From that will be drawn circles exactly as they are drawn from Washington and they wll be numbered from Iteokuk as number one, just as they are numbered from Washington as

number one. Of course, however, I

Zone Six will have a different geographical position as related to Keokuk than it has as related to Washington, but as tho radius of the circles

drawn from Keokuk is the same length as the radius of tho circles drawn from Washington. Keokuk's Zone Six will be just as far from its center as Washington's Zone Six is. How Rates Are Fixed. It can be seen from this readily enough that the postal rates from Washington to its particular zone will bo the same as the postal rates from Keokuk to its particular zones. Each unit being about thirty miles square will of course contain in most cases a number of postoffices, but each office in the same unit is considered as being the center of the circles from Which the zones are drawn. Tho rates of postage are fixed from tho unit in which the sending postofilce is situated, but tho price to every place in any zone is just tho samo. To illustrate, it will cost exactly tho samo amount to send a parcel from Washington to Erio, Pa., that it costs to Bond It to Atlanta Ga., becauso Erio and Atlanta with referenco to Washington are situated in the fourth zone. Tho rates therefore aro fixed from the unit in which the postoilice is located, but they aro tho samo from that ofllco to any point in any one zone. It will bo seen by referenco to the table of rates of postago that It will cos more per pound to send a package a long distance than it does to send it a short distance. The rate increases for a package weighing one pound at the rate of one cent for each zone. No package weighing more than 11 pounds can be sent under the new parcel post law. It should be said right here that on the long hauls tho parcel post may not be able to compete with the express companies, but that on shorter hauls It can so compete. It was tho expressed desire of the legislators and

RATES OF POSTAGE

Parcels weighing four ounces or less are mailable at the rate of one cent for each ounce or fraction of an ounce, regardless of distance. Parcels weighing more than four ounces are mailable at the pound rate, as shown by the following table, and when mailed at this rate 'any fraction -;f a pound Is considered a full pound. 1st zone 2nd 3d 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th Wt. Local Zone zone zone zone zone rone zone zone bs. rate. rate. rate. rate. rate. rate. rate. rate. rate. 1 ....... $0.05 $0.05 $0.06 $0.07 $0.08 $0.09 $0.10 $0.11 $0.12 2 1... .06 .08 .10 .12 .14 .16 .19 .21 .24 3 .07 .11 .14 .17 .20 .23 .28 .31 .36 4 .08 .14 .18 .22 .26 .30 .37 .41 .48 5 09 .17 .22 .27 .32 .37 .46 .51 .60 6 .10 .20 .26 .32 .38 .44 .55 .61 .72 7 11 .23 .30 .37 '.44 .51 .64. .71 .84 8 12 .26 .34 .42 .50 .58 .73 .81 .96 9 13 .29 .33 .47 .56 .65 .82 .91 1.08 10 14 .32 .42 .52 .62 .72 .91 1.01 120 11 .15 .35 .46 .57 .68 .79 1.00 1.11 32 For a full explanation of the rates of postage In the First Zone see the Parcel Post Guide.

of tho postofilce officials that the parcel post system should be made of particular use to persons having farm and factory products to transmit to customers. It can be said in a general way that anything can be sent which is properly wrapped and which will not injure other mail matter with which it may come in contact. Copy Foreign Countries. It is probable that tlie government will adopt p. means of transportation for certain kinds of its merchandise much like those which have been adopted in parcel post countries abroad. What the English call hampers, basket-like arrangements, probably will be adopted, and as these can bo kept separate from the ordinary mail matter it is believed that the regulations as finally adopted will allow the sending of eggs, butter, dressed poultry, live poultry, honey, fruit, and other products of the country. The ll-feound limit for a single packago may work at first against any very extended use of the parcel post for some of the articles which have been named. Of courso, more weight

can be sent if it is sent In different parcels, but the cost in that case would bo heavier, becauso the Increase per pound on a single package is not great up to 11 pounds, and probably It would Increase at no great

er rato If tho government wore to raiso tho limit of weight which" is now fixed. Every postmaster in the United States will have a parcel post map llko tho ono which is hero reproduced oxcopt that tho zone linos will be shown with tho unit of his postofilce as a center. All that a postmaster will have to do when a percel is presented for transportation is to find out in what zone tho destination of tho package dies. His table will show him Instantly the rate per pound from the unit in which his postofilce lies to tho zone of the package's destination, the price, as has been explained before, to every postofilce in any one zone being the same. The parcel post will take nothing but fourth-class matter. Printed matter is still In the third-class designation. Therefore books cannot be sent by the parcel post system. Rate on Seeds Not Affected. It should be said that the act of congress which puts a parcel post plan into operation does not in any way affect the postage rate on seeds, cuttings, bulbs, roots, scions and

plants a3 fixed by section 4S2 of the ' i e

postal laws anu regulations. The classification of articles mailable as well as the weight limit, the rates of postage, zone or zones and

other conditions of mailability under

the act of congress. If the postmaster general shall find on experience "tnat they or any of them are such as to prevent the shipment of articles desirable, or shall permanently render the cost of the service greater than the receipts of the revenue therefrom, ho is hereby authorized, subject to the consent of the interstate commerce commission after investigation, to return from time to time such

classification, weight limit, rates, zone j or zones or conditions, in order to pro-! mote the service to the public or to Insure the receipt of revenue from such service adequate to pay the cost thereof."

RULES GOVERNING MAILING OF

PACKAGES UNDER NEW SYSTEM

After Jan. 1 One May Mail Anything Weighing Not More Than 11 Pounds by Parcel Post Perishable Articles May Be Sent Under Specific Restrictions.

Postmaster General Hitchcock has just approved the regulations which cover in detail the articles which may or may not be sent by parcel post. The rules as to what can be sent and what cannot be sent and the instructions for the preparation of mailable articles with other "official advice" are given here as they have Just been prepared by the postofilce department In Washington. The minimum rate will be five cents for the first pound and three cents for each additional pound to any point not exceeding fifty miles from tho office of mailing; the local rate, which is five cents for the first pound and ono cent for additional pound, applies to all parcels the delivery of which does not involve their transportation on railway lines. The rates Increase for each fsuccessive one of the eight zones,

the maximum rato being twelve cents a pound, which will carry a parcel across tho continent or to any of our possessions. Parcels will bo limited to eleven pounds in weight and six feet in length and girth combined. Mailable Perishable Articles. Butter, lard and perishable articles such as fish, fresh meats, dressed fowls, vegetables, fruits, berries and articles of a similar nature that decay quickly, when so packed or wrapped as to prevent damage to other mail matter, will be accepted for local dolivery either at the olfico of mailing or on any rural route starting thorefrora. When inclosed in an inner cover and a strong outer cover of wood, metal, heavy corrugated pasteboard or other suitable material and wrapped so that nothing can escape from the package, they will be accepted for mailing to any offices within the first zone or within a radius of 50 miles. Butter, lard, or any greasy or oily substance intended for delivery at offices beyond the first zone must be suitably packed. Vegetables and fruit that do not decay quickly will be accepted for mailing to any zone if packed so as to prevent damage to other mail matter. Eggs will be accepted for local delivery when securely packed In a basket or other container. Eggs will be accepted for mailing regardless of distance when each egg is wrapped separately and packed In a container. There Is no restriction on salted, dried, smoked or cured meats and other meat products, but fresh meat in any form will be transported only within the first zone. Parcels containing perishable arti

cles must be marked "PERISHABLE," ! and articles likely to spoil within the time reasonably required for transportation and delivery will not be ac-' cepted for mailing. Manufactured Articles. Manufacturers or dealers intending tc transmit articles in considerable

quantities are asked to submit to the postmaster for approval a specimen parcel showing the manner of packing. Queen Bees and Nursery Stock. Queen bees, live insects, and dried reptiles may be mailed in accordance with the regulations that now apply to other classes of mail. Seeds of fruit, nursery stock, and all other plant products for preparation may be mailed under tho samo conditions. Confectionery and Soap. Candles, confectionery, yeast cakes, soap in hard cakes, etc., must bo inclosed in boxes and so wrapped as to prevent injury to other mall matter. Sealed original packages of proprietary articles, such as soaps, tobacco, pills, tablets, etc., put up in fixed quantities by the manufacturer, and not in themselves unmailablo, will be accepted for mailing when properly wrapped. Millinery. Fragile articles, such as millinery, toys, musical Instruments, etc., and articles consisting wholly or In part of glass, or contained in glass, must bo securely packed and tho parcel stamped or labeled "FRAGILE." Unmallable Matter. The following matter is declared unmallable by law: Matter manifestly obscene, lewd, or lascivious; articles intended for preventing conception; articles intended for indecent or immoral purposes; all matters otherwise mailable by law the outside cover or wrapper of which bears any delineation or language of a libelous, scurrilous, defamatory, or threatening character. All such matter, when deposited in a post office or

found in the mails, shall bo withdrawn, and sent to the division of dead lettors. Intoxicants, Poisons and Inflammable Materials. Spirituous, vinous, malted, fermented, or other intoxicating liquors of any kind; poisons of every kind, and articles and compositions containing poisons, poisonous animals, insects and reptiles; explosives of every kind; lninflammable material (which are held to include matches, kerosene oil, gasoline, naphtha, benzine, turgentine, denatured alcohol, etc.), infernal machines, and mechanical, chemical or other devices or compositions which may ignite or explode; disease germs or scabs, and other natural or artificial articles, compositions or materials of whatever kind which may kill, or in any wise injure another or damage the mall or other property. Postmasters will refuse to receive lor mailing parcels not properly Indorsed or packed for safe shipment. Pistols, Animals and Birds. Pistols or revolvers, whether In detached parts or otherwise; live or dead (and not stuffed) animals, birds, or poultry, except as elsewhere provi led; raw hides or pelts, guano, or any article having a bad odor will not bo admitted to tho mails. Insurance on Parcels. A mailable parcel on which tht postage Is fully prepaid may be insured against loss In "an amount equivalent to its actual value, but not to exceed $50, on payment of a fee of ten cents in parcel post stamps, such stamps to bo affixed. Parcels may bo reraailed or forwarded on tho payment; of additional postago at the rate which would bo chargeablo If they were originally mailed at tho forwarding office, la which case tho necessary stamps will be affixed by tho forwarding postmaster. Payment must be made every time the parcel is forwarded. Maps and Guides. Parcel post maps, with accompanying guides, are to be sold to tho public at their cost, 75 cents, through the chief clerk of the post office department. In ordering maps care should be taken to specify the po'st office from which the postage rates are to be determined.

FACTS ABOUT THE NEW PARCEL POST

The new parcel post goes Into operation January 1, 1913. Only mail matter now included in fourth class, or merchandise, will be handled. Perishable articles such as butter, lard, fruits, berries and dressed fowls may be sent short distances. Eggs for local delivery when packed In containers may be sent. When packed separately they may be sent any distance. Fresh meats may be sent only In the first zone (50 milts). There are no restrictions on salted, dried or curtd meats or fish. Millinery, toys, musical Instruments, glassware and breakable goods must be marked "fragile." The following may not be sent: Intoxicating liquors, poisons, matches, explosives, firearms and live poultry. Books and printed matter are included In third class and may not be sent. The weight limit will be eleven pounds. To find the size limit: Take a piece of string 72 Inches long and wind it once completely around the parcel and then across the top lengthways If the ends of the string reach the sides of the parcel It comes under the limit. Regular carriers will deliver parcels wherever possible Parcels must be mailed at tht postoffict or branches and snt-dal stamps must be used.