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PARCEL POST MAP. is for use only In unit No leh thi elty of Washington uaras rspressnt unit* Indloats boundaries of Government Goes Into Business I of Transmitting Merchandise Through the Mails. NEW LAW FULLY EXPLAINED (Country Divided Into Zones and Units for Purpose of Fixing Charges' for Carriage—No Package Weigh ing More Than By Eleven Pounds Is Mailable—Anything Properly Wrap ped Which Will Not Injure Other Mall May Be Sent. EDWARD With the coming of the New Year the United States government will en jter into a new field of enterprise— he transmittal of merchandise by hat is known as the parcel post, tor years there has been a demand for such a system of inexpensive transmittal of packages. The camps |of favor and disfavor of the parcel |ost scheme have been about equally (divided. Finally at the last session lof congress a bill was passed which jwill put the plan into operation, but lonly it must be said in little more than an experimental way. It is the intention of Uncle Sam to knove rather slowly in the parcel post •natter. He wants to find how popu lar it will be, how much it will cost the government, and whether^ there is to be a profit or loss at the end of each year. If it is found that the fc)lan is successful from the point of yiew of the people, which means the overnment also, the parcel post will _e extended until finally it reaches the proportions which its proponents Bay they believe it is destined to as sume. Zone System Explained. It is no exaggeration to say that thousands upon thousands of inquir ies 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 into zones and into 35.000 units which are to be used as centers in describing the cir cles which mark the boundaries of the zones. There has been no clear understanding, apparently, of this none system, but really it is a very Simple matter. 1 B. CLARK. 1 The accompanying map shows the Country divided Into cooes from the unit in which Washington is sit uated, as the center. Accompanying the map is a table showing the rate of postage per pound for parcels from Washington to places within all thei cones. Each unit contains an area thirty miles square. Now each unit Is center from which the zones are drawn and so every unit In the coun] try no matter where It is situated will have zones drawn from It Just exactly as Washington has them drawn from It. For instance, take Keokuk, Ia.j which is in a unit in the fifth zone. From that will be drawn circles ex-j actly as they are drawn from Wash Ington and they will be numbered from, Keokuk as number one, Just as th6* are numbered from Washington as number one. Of* course, however] Zone Six will have a different geoi graphical position as related to KeoJ kuk than it has as related to Wash-) Ington, but as the radius of the circles drawn from Keokuk is the same] length as the radius of the circlei drawn from Washington, Keokuk' Zone Six will be just as far from its center as Washington's Zone Six is. How Rate* Are Fixed. It can be seen from this readiljj enough that the postal rates from Washington to Its particular sone will ft* the same as the postal rates from Keokuk to Its particular zones. Each wit being about thirty miles square [wlU of mm contain In moat CUM a tat each efllee the unit Is Jag IN enter of the drrtw JHh^ iSS3aaBBCBnaSSSSSSS5B2Bac^aa^acoonsaa fSS^aaS^S^SS^BgaBBB^agnaaaxB ^SSSSBBsrsa 'ogoggiKssi SOCacii^nmm .46 which the zones are drawn. The rates of postage are fixed from the unit in which the sending postoffice is situated, but the price to every place In any zone is just the same. To il lustrate, it will oost exactly the same amount to send a parcel from Wash ington to Erie, Pa., that it costs to send it to Atlanta, Ga., because Erie and Atlanta with reference to Wash ington are situated in the fourth cone. The rates therefore are fixed from the unit in which the postoffice is located, but they are the same from that office to any point in any one zone. It will be seen by reference to the table of rates of postage that it will cost more per pound to send a pack age a long distance than it does tq send it a short distance. The rate in creases for a package weighing one pound at the rate of one cent for each zon^e. No package weighing more than 11 pounds can be sent un der the new parcel post law. It should be said right here that on thei long hauls the parcel post may not be able to compete with the express companies, but that on shorter hauls It can so compete. It was the ex pressed desire of the legislators and of the postoffice officials that the par eel post system should be made o^ particular use to persons having farm and factory products to transmit to customers. It is probable that pro ducers must study the rates of post age and the convenience of trans mittal and compare them with the cost and convenience under present methods before individually a man canj determine whether he is to profit or not by the change. Then there is an-i other thing to be considered anJ which only can be known definitely when fuller regulations have been made to specify exactly what kind of things can be sent by parcel post. It can be said In a general way that an* thing can be aent 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 the government will adopt a means of transportation) for certain kinds of its merchandise much like those which have been adopted in parcel post countries febroad. What the English call hami pers, basket-like arrangements, prob ably will be adopted, and as these can be kept separate from the ordinary mail matter it Is believed that the regulations as finally adopted will al low the sending of eggs, butter, dress^ ed poultry, lhre poultry, honey, fniit, and other products of the country. The 11-pound limit for a single pack age may work at first ag&lnst any very extended use of the parcel post for 5 some of the articles wMch have been named. Of course, more weight can be sent if it is cent In differed) Wroels, but the cost In that case Jwould be heavier because the In- rnot ue per pound on a single package great up to 11 pounds, anq probably It would Increase at no great l*r rate If the government were to jraiae the limit of weight which Is now And. To make It simpler, It will Stoat mors to send two paehagaa of 11 'wound" than It would to MM ge of St pounds If the gsvera- STWtony shsaM aMt tat* QQwit) SSBSEUI^yQgg SBBOCaDOBBBBB gffwaBBHWf^aggBBWMUBHBBBaaBBBgianooagBH BNBDSS HKRS33S RATES OF POSTAGE Parcels weighing four ounces or less are mailable at the ratoj of one cent for each ounce or fraction of an ounce, regardless of) distance. Parcels weighing more than four ounces are mailabli at the pound rate,as shown by the following table, and when mallei at this rate any fraction of a pound is considered a full pound. zone •For a full explanation of the rates of postage in the First Zone see the Parcel Post Guide. er single package to be carried and should charge in proportion just what it does now for one package of 11 I pounds weight. 1 Every postmaster in the United States will have a parcel post map like the one which is here reproduced except that the zone lines will bq shown with the unit of his postoffice as a center. All that a postmaster will have to do when a parcel is pre sented for transportation is to find out in what zone the destination of the package lies. His table will show, him instantly the rate per pound from the unit ki which his postofllce lies to the zone of the package's destina tions, the price as has been explained before, to every postoffice In any one zone being the same. The parcel post will take nothing but fourth-class mat* ter. Printed matter is still in the third-class designation. Therefore books cannot be sent by the parcel post system. This the postoffice au thorities seem to think is in a way unjust and may work a hardship. It may be that in the future the law will be changed so as to include all print ed matter. It seems to be certain that nn attempt will be made to bring about this change as speedily as pos sible. Must Beer Stamp. Postmaster General Hitchcock has ordered that postmasters be advised that parcel post packages cannot bo accepted for mailing unless they bear a distinctive parcel post stamp and have attached to them the return carcj of the sender. A series of distinctive stamps is now in course of prepara tion for this class of mail as required by the law creating the parcel post system. Consignments of these stamps will be ready for shipment to all postoffices in ample time for the establishment of the new system on New Year's day. The postoffice department has given Instruction to every postmaster In the country to enlighten his patrons as much as possible on the general sub* Ject of the parcel post and especially on the use of the special stamps and the necessary attachment of'the re turn card. The law requires that all jfourth-class matter mailed s'ier Jan uary 1. 1918, without parcel post( stamps attached shall be treated aS "Held for postage" matter. Parcel post packages will be mailable only at postoffices, branch postoffices, let tered and local named stations, and •uch numbered stations as may bflj (designated by the postmasters. It has been announced by Postmasi ter General Hitchcock that nearly 70, 000 scales will be required for use In jtbe parcel post system which is to go (Into effect January 1st. He has ac cordingly authorized the issuance of bids for that number. Two hundred*' of the largest postoffices and their branches will be supplied with auto matic sprlngless scales. The next class of offices, numbering about 10, 000, will be given high grade beam •oule, while the four class offices, numbering about 65,000, will be fur-, inlshed with the best spring balancesj (obtainable, sadk having a capacity tot twenty pounds. These soales will be used by piisliuasf to determine the parcel JO* Iks 1 sow furnished with scales of a limited capacity makes it necessary for thei postmaster general to make this very* large purchase of scales capable of taking care of the parcel post busii ness. It is understood that this will be the largest single order ever placed for scales. Rate on Seeds Not Affeoted. 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, cut« tings, bulbs, roots, scions and plants as fixed by section 482 of the postal laws and regulations. The classification of articles mail able 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 "that they or any of them are such as to prevent the shipment of articles de I sirable, or shall permanently render the cost of the service greater than the receipts of the revenue therefrom, he Is hereby authorized, subject to the consent o£ the interstate commerce commission after investigation, to re form from time to time such classifi cation, weight limit, rates, zone or zones or conditions, in order to pro mote the service to the public or to I insure the receipt of revenue from I such service adequate to pay the cost thereof." Through many years different mem I bers of the house and senate have been interested in promoting parcel 1 1 post legislation. Among the men most active in securing the legislation which soon is to go into effect as law are Senator Jonathan Bourne of Oregon, Representatives David J. Lewis of Maryland and William Sul- zer of New York, who has Just been elected governor of that state, To ascertain conditions surrounding the establishment of the parcel post system in places differing widely in size, climate and industries, Postmas ter General Hitchcock recently sum moned to Washington, to confer with the special parcel post committee, the postmasters of five typical offices. They are William H. Davis, Pittsburg, I Pa. Daniel T. Gerow, Jacksonville, Fla. M. H. Joster, Wilmington, Del. E. M. C. Qulmby, Suffolk, Va., and Henry N. Bradley, Charlestown, W. Va. Confer With Postmasters. .. The postmasters of the five largest offices in the country have already appeared before the committee, so I Pittsburg was represented as being a I large first class office, though smaller than any of the greater five, and as being the center of a tremendous man ufacturing area. The postmaster of Pittsburg reported that the boird of trade of that city has a special parcel post committee, working toward bringing the consumer and produce!] nearer to each other by the new sysi tem. He also said that many of the merchants are planning to have their city deliveries made by parcel post. Wilmington, Del., represented a large farming and manufacturing dis trict, with its mail connections close with Philadelphia, one of the largest offices. Jacksonville is the largest of fice in Florida, and the outlet for oil the mail of the state. It is peculiar In having a special increase of force In winter, the tourist season, and the postmaster said that it was expected that travelers would use the parcfi post extensively in sending home five and ten-pound packages of fruit. Suffolk, Va., and Charlestown, W. Va., are both very small second class offices, one in the tide-water district, with large truck interests the other far inland in an orchard country, with diversified farm products. The post masters of both offices reported great Interest in the parcel post, and said that they had continual inquiries re garding its scope. From these postmasters the com mittee was able to glean a great amount of valuable information, which, added to that gained from the recent hearings In Maryland, puts it In a position to plan the details of the service to the greatest advantage of the producing farmer. Qlvs Him Time. "You're a pretty old mas to be beg in'," said the lady to the man at the .jk door. "Yes, ma'am," replied the man with |ils hat In his "Rare you all y*. ma'am" APPROVES RULES FOR PARCEL POST Postmaster General Issues Reg ulations Governing System. WHAT MAY BE SENT BY MAIL Gives American Peopls Opportunity to •end Farm and Factory Produots by Mall From and to Any Point In United States. Postmaster General Hitchcock has |ust approved the regulations which cover in detail the articles which may or may not be sent by parcel post ^hese regulations are now being turned off at the government printing office on a "rush order" and they will, be distributed as rapidly as possible. The rules as to what can be sent and what cannot be sent and the in structions for the preparation of mail able articles with other "official ad vice" are given here as they have Just been prepared by the postoffice de^ partment in Washington. The minimum rate will be five cents for the first pound and three cents for each additional pound to any point nol exceeding fifty miles from the office of mailing the local rata, which is five cents for the first pound and one cent for additional pound, applies to all parc^i the delivery of which does not Involve their transportation on rail way lines. The rates increase for each successive one of the eight zones, the maximum rate being twelve cents a pound, which will carry a parcel across the 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 1 al de livery either at the office of mailing or on any rural route starting therefrom. When inclosed in an inner cover and a Btro-ng outer cover of wood, met al, heavy corrugated pasteboard or other suitable material and wrapped so that nothing can escape from the package, they will be ac cepted for mailing to any offices with in the first zone or within a radius of B0 miles. Butter, lard, or any greasy or oily substance intended for deliv ery 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 cone if packed so as to prevent dam age to other mail matter. Eggs will be accepted for local delivery when se curely packed in a basket or other container. Eggs will be accepted for mailing regardless of distance whe^ 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 artl-, cles must be marked "PERISHABLE,") and articles likely to spoil within the time reasonably required for trans portation and delivery will not be cepted for mailing. Manufactured Articles. Manufacturers or dealers Intending to transmit articles 4h considerable quantities are asked to submit to thei postmaster for approval a specimen, parcel showing the manner of pack-] lng. I When Bharp pointed Instruments arej offered for mailing, the points must be, capped or encased. Blades must be bound so that they will remain at-,' tached to each other or within their handles or sockets. In1 Powders, pepper, snuff, or other, similar powders not explosive, or any, similar pulverized dry substance, not poisonous, may be sent when Inclosed In cases made of metal, wood or other material to render impossible the es cape of any of the contents. Flour Of all kinds must be put up in such manner as to prevent the package {breaking or the flour being scattered In the mails. Queen Bees and Nursery 8tock. Queen bees, live isects, and dried reptiles may be mailed in accordance with the regulations that now apply to other classes of mall. Seeds of fruit, nursery stock, and all other plant products for preparation may be mailed under the same con ditions. Confectionery and Soap. Candies, confectionery, yeast cakes,. soap in hard cakes, etc., must be in closed in boxes and so wrapped as to prevent Injury to other mall mat iter. Sealed original packages of propri etary articles, such as soaps, tobacco, {pills, tablets, etc., put up in fixed [quantities by the manufacturer, and mot in themselves unmallable, will pe accepted for mailing when properly wrapped. Millinery. Fragile articles, such as millinery, toys, musical instruments, etc., and ar^ ticles consisting wholly or In part of Klass, or contained in glass, must be iscurely packed and the parcel stamp ed or labeled "FRAG1LB." Unmallable MaMsr. I Tks following saattsr la declared aa jmatlaMs by law: 1 Materials. Spirituous, vinous, malted, ferment ed, or other intoxicating liquors of any? kind poisons of every kind, and artl^ cles and compositions containing polf son, ponsonous animals, insects reptiles explosives of every kind flammable materials (which are to include matches, kerosene (HI, gai line, naphtha, benzine, turpentine, natured alcohol, etc.), infernal chines, and mechanical, chemical O' other devices or compositions whicl may Ignite of explode disease germ or scabB, and other natural or artlf clal ancles, compositions or mat rials of whatever kind whtah kill, or in any wise injure another damage the mail or other property. Pistols, Animals and Blrdfe Pistols or revolvers, whethar In tached parts or otherwise IN* M) dead (and not stuffed) animals, blrd^ or poultry, except as elsewhora pro^ vided raw hides or pelts, guano, of any article having a bad odor wlli not be admitted to the mails. Treatment of Undellverable Parcels. Perishable matter will be delivered as promptly as possible, but if suchj matter can not be delivered and bei conies offensive and injurious to| health, postmasters may destroy It, o* the injurious or offensive portion^ thereof. Undellverable perishable mattej which in its nature does not becomt offensive or injurious to health ma| be delivered by postmasters to thd proper local municipal authority toM distributed to hospitals, asylums ol other charitable or reformatory instH tutions. If there is no "such municipal authority, the matter may bo deliver ed to any charitable institution or matter will be delivered and the When a parcel is insured, the sen der will be given a receipt Bhowing the office and date of mailing and. number of the parcel. Wben a return receipt is desired by the sender of an insured parcel tho postmaster at the mailing office will ^ote the request on the margin of the insurance tag, and the postmaster at the office of address will obtain from the addressee a receipt and mail it to the sender. The liability for indemnity shall cease when delivery has been effect ed. Forwarding of Parcels. Parcels may be remailed or for warded on the payment of additional postage at the rpt.e which would ba chargeable if they were origin ally mailed at the forwarding office, in which case the necessary stamps will be affixed by the forwarding postmas ter. Payment must be made every tlme the" if rJk 6R*Raa:B«i l« .me- o*mt .or indecent or immoral purpossgf matter otherwise mailable by law, outside cover or wrapper of bears and delineation or lan a libelous, scurrilous, defamatory, threatening character. All such maM* ter, when deposited in a post office ofl' found in the malls, shall be withdraws. and sent to the divisions of dead lebt ters. Intoxicants, Poisons and Inflammable parcel is forwarded, Preparation for Mailing. Parcels must be prepared for ing in such manner that the cont can be easily examined. A pares! not be accepted for mailing untaM tl bears the name and address at tha sender preceded by the word "Ptosa.** /•t 555! 3 orl ganization making application ther»| for. If no application is made, tha matter will be destroyed at the exj plration of two weeks. Parcels Improperly Packed. Postmasters will refuse to recelv^ for mailing parcels not properly in-j dorsed or packed for safe shipment, When parcels on which the postagaj is wholly unpaid or insufficiently pre* paid is deposited for local delivery ajid the sender Is unknown, notice o^ detention need not be sent but sucl^ defi cient postage collected from the ad dressee by the carrier. If the ad* dressee refuses to pay the postagflj the matter will be sent to the Di vision of Dead Letters. Insurance on Parcels. A mailable parcel on which tha postage is fully prepaid may be In* sured against loss in an amount equivj nlent to Its actual value, but not t® exceed $50, on payment of a fee o^ ten cents In parcel post stamps, suclv stamps to be affixed. A wflj In addition to the name and address of the sender, which Is required, it will be permissible to write or print: on the covering of a parcel, or on a tag or label attached to It, the occu pation of tbe sender, and to Indlcat# in a small space by means of mirtfc letters, numbers, names or other Met' description, the character of tha eel, but ample space must be left the address side for the full add: In legible characters and for the ceBsary postage stamps. Inscription such as "Merry Christmas," "Pie do not open until Christmas," "Hr.pp: New Year," "With best wishes," an& the like, may be placed on the cover ing of the parcel in u"h a* not to interfere with the address. to ir3mme ion* eaM PPT Distinctive Stamps. The law requires that the postage* on all matter must be prepaid bjr distinctive parcel post stamps affixed Postmasters cannot receive for mail ing parcels that do not bear such stamps. Parcel post stamps are flot valid tyr the payment of postage on matter of* the first, second, and third classes,, and when used for that purpose, thti matter to which they are affixed shalfc be treated as "Held for postage." Maps and Guides. Parcel post maps, with accompany ing guides, are to be sold to tha pufc* fic at their cost, 78 csats, through th» chief clsrk of tha peat odtoe depart- ^nent. Matter maalfasHy obsssas, Iswd, or tbculd bs la srdarlag artlslss Isr pra- bSee bra whtaft the are Is bs