Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 39, Number 97, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 13 August 1907 — Will Weigh the Mails. [ARTICLE]

Will Weigh the Mails.

Preparations are nearly com • pleted for the special weighing of mails provided for by action of congress, as a result of which it is hoped to save about 110,000,000 a' year to the government. Thirty-two special commuters wc®#named Wednesday ami about 100 more will be appointed in a few days. The weighing period will last until the close of the year and provision is made for special attendon to franked matter. Heretofore weighing periods have been for but seven days, and for several years rumors have persistently circulated thatgross irregularities had been practiced and fraud resorted to in a scheme to pad the mails at such times. Congressmen have been accused of maintaining a large force of clerks at work franking and refranking heavy mail to bV sent back and forth Over routes that are being weighed. It was the argument of the postoffice department when it asked for and was gi ven a $300,000 appropriation to be used in the extended weighing period that information could be secured which would make it possible to put the department on a paying basis.