The Sunday Oregonian. (Portland, Ore.) 1881-current, December 15, 1912, SECTION FOUR, Image 60

The Sunday Oregonian., December 15, 1912, SECTION FOUR, Page 10, Image 60

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Newspaper Page TextTHE SUNDAY OREGONIAX. PORTLAND. DECEMBER 15. 1912. 10 PARCEL POST Two weeks "from next Wednesday the parcel post will go Into effect In every postoffice In the United States. Fol lowing years of discussion, the last Congrress worked out a plan that will be placed in operation with a fund of $7.50,000 for equipment. Contrary to the system of postal savings banks. 1.1-w l.at,-,aa1..A.4 0-rArilia.llv. Only a few depositories being established atj a time, tne parcel poai. arum - ginning will be in general use through out the United States. Ever since Congress adjourned last Summer, the postofflce department, from Postmaster-General Hitchcock to the remotest rural carrier has been striving to arrange affairs so as to Insure the Inaugusation of the service without confusion or congestion. Briefly, the parcel post means that you may send almost any article through the mails from a package of pins, a dozen eggs or a roll of butter, to a threshing machine; that i to say a threshing machine can be sent via parcel post provided It can be "knocked down" into sections weighting not to exceed 11 pounds a section. In hand ling packages by parcel post, the Gov ernment' imposes two conditions: The package must not weigh more than 11 pounds nor be greater In size than 72 Inches in length and girth combined. Prices Are Low. With the parcel post, the Irvington housewife can telephone a farmer any where within the particular district of which Portland will be the central point and have delivered at her door an U-pound turkey at a cost of 5 cents for the first pound and one cent additional for each additional pound, or a total charge of 15 cents. By the same agency, she can order a six pound chicken from a Washington County farmer and have It delivered at her home for only 10 cents. A two pound consignment of produce, direct from the farmer's dairy, will be accessi ble to the Willamette Heights house wife at a postage charge of only seven cents. In all three cases, the delica cies mentioned will be mailable on any rural delivery route entering Port land for delivery on any of the city delivery routes operated In Portland. But the advantages of the parcel post are not available alone to the people of the cities. Its benefits and conveniences may be shared by the farmer, the city and the country merchant alike. The farmer may order coutrrmerchant a suit of clothes or - " u 41.. n, nthr article not xIdin 11 pounds in weight, and have It delivered on me utrxv m ' - . . , - ..loU Af th. rural farrier tne rural earner. i la the opinion of Atftlnjr j-ostmasier mail order houses. For instance, the T..t.A..i. rnnntv fn.rmer. cited Williamson, orders a meat grinder -weighing 10 pounds packed, from a Chicago mail order house. The post age on the package amounts to $1.20. Home Merchant Benefited. Assuming that this farmer lives on a rural route 10 miles from Hlllsboro, he could have the same package de livered from his home merchant at Hlllsboro for only 14 cents, or if the local dealer could not supply him, he could have the grinder forwarded from the .Portland marchant and the total cost of postage would be only 33 cents. Mr. Williamson contends that the par cel post in its operation will protect home business and give the consumer the entire benefit in the way of cheap delivery. The benefits which may be expected to follow the introduction of the parcel post will not be confined to any par ticular section of the country nor to any particular class of, the population. The rates will be uniform and ac cessible to every person desiring to send a parcel- These rates as to a great majority of parcels will be ap preciably lower than the lowest rate now charged by the express companies for similar service. By reason of this fact it would appear difficult to place any limit on the possibilities that have been opened up by this important de parture in the mall service. The Interstate Commerce Commission recently prescribed a schedule of rates to be charged by express companies for the delivery of packages. A compari son of those rates with the ones specl. fled In the parcel post bill shows that for distances of about 600 miles. It will be cheaper to send any package up to seven pounds in weight by the parcel post. Parcel 1'o.t Bate -Lower. The same comparison shows that for Jong distances, not exceeding 1500 miles, the parcel post rate will be lower on packages up to two pounds in weight; that in other cases the newly prescribed express rates will be sligntly lower thun those of the parcel post. Before the parcel post law was en acted, mailable matter was divided into four; classes under postal regulations. The : first-class includes letters and other matter written by hand or on a typewriter; the second-class, newspa pers and periodicals; the third-class, books and printed matter other than newspapers and periodicals; and the fourth-class, a great variety of things, not included in the other three classes. Introduction of the parcel post will affect only matter, mailable in the fourth-class. In this connection, pa trons of the parcel post must remember that it does not Include the trans- i i n, kiVu i-i i i h must continue to be handled as third-class matter and subject to third-class postage rates Law Is Liberal. The definition of what may be handled through the parcel post is broad. It includes everything which is - V,-.. in f ha flraf- itecond Jl UL iiuw riiiuio,v and third classes. The parcel post law specifically provides that all tarni products will be accepted which neither ma,, vtnri a r. likelv to injure ill iiriiii a.-.. - - .-in nf nnv ntlKtaJ emDlOVe or to dame.ge the mail equipment or otherj mall matter, ana wnicn are not oi a character perishable within a period reasonably required for transportation and delivery. . i -.. . oinii. will determine what materials come within the restrictions named. Two other restrictions are im posed. One Is that no package shall i . . . mnPa, than it nnunds: the other that the bulk of the parcel shall not exceed In size 73 mcnes in lengtn auo n-irih a-nmbined. In other words. If a parcel Is two feet long, it may meas- ..... . nna, fnn. ill tHrth- Or if it IS B n,inr nackage a side must not be longer than IS inches. Snerlal Stamps Provided. A distinctive series of stamps has a 1 1 V. . . . V. nn...Ha m.n tnf WKH pi u, iuiu a' alia- mu' a I lllllt na a-ara mailing parcel post packages and no otner stamps win oe accepted in i- have been provided for the purpose of enabling the department at Washing ton to determine if the rates prescribed )&re BUIlltirill a u 1 1 1.- a. V a 1 1 aj aa v luai a. a- u a VI III llall , a i aiia-a a na aa- a.a -vu. The rates that have been named are experlmental. and only experience will ii th... i.mi.u tornik. the parcel post self-supporting, which is me intention ot rvMiuaoiri-uciKiiw Hitchrook. If It Is discovered that the. rata chaiged on anv particular article or for any particular distance is in- adequate. the Postmaster-General is .mmvrmL with the consent of the In- terstaie commerce vwrnnuoaiuu, iw bu i.,.t.t Commerce Commission, to so amend the charge as to cover the full . ..n..i.,i.. A supply of these stamps has not I AutomoDiie service , jd-cthi, '--been received by Acting Postmaster I plane Carrying Mail"; 25-cent, -Manu-ii..-! i -hi. i , a- K.,1- h. I., t-nn-1 f i. f t ii r!n or i 50-cent "Dairvlll2 : 5- DRAWING SHOWS THE EIGHT DBAWlBli siiuws t I MO T A A M DAKOTA C-- frC. A V&T I Vi I 7 I a - A. V ( s" c't 7!ti h I vi V'V- . ASis. 7 . - JLr-s f r " V r Z.rx 1 J&aoUY h 1 1IKWM1J J . y lt 1 If I V fif T i AXZOMA AtEHMSXCO . ' - LJl4's3 A 1 I tf ,4' j OFFICIAIi PARCEti POST IXV m i ..) l ...,'" ''',' ' ' fidently expecting to be "PPU-JwIth stamris as well as other equipment. Including scales, zone maps, rate card atn on a a trt ff in tL nrSlLIOH DrUUlUUJ - ; - ' . 10 inaugurate me Mr. . . inn.,nr i nrwirriini? with f"""""-" Jl-llnZ-nl. Ti,. nraxrrlhA In th Daf '? 'TuHsXtion of" The United States, with the exception of the Philippine Islands, is divided into i . . Bnn,nTiTn.tiv 90 miles sauare. uuiia ui .c a... - ... - . each unit containing about 900 square miles. The territory . is men ui"-; v... mA.n. nf ralmlAH drawn lulu lumn J ... a aa - . with a point in one .of the units as a center. Zoues Are Established. The first circle has a radius of 60 miles;, that is to say, the first zone Includes all places within about 60 miles of the place at which a packet t Til- Mitniiil zrrnA covers places up to about 150 miles of the place or mailing: tne tnim up to 300 miles; the fourth zone places up to 600 miles the fifth zone places up to 1000 miles; the sixth zone places . itnn mil.,- th. nAv.nth zone places up to 1800 miles, and the eighth zone all places more than 1S00 miles from the place of mailing. .The cost or senaing a parcel post will depend upon the i v. - h. ...irtn And the number of the zone to which it is to be sent.. If a parcel Is to be sent ono witnin me postal district In which It is posted lor instance, to d puswo a-nj naaa o point wiUiln the district of which Port land may be the computing point, pos sibly a distance of 60 miles the charge will be o cents tor tne ursi puuiw n , . .illtfnnal frtr Mfh ail dltional pound to the limit of 11 pounds, for which the total charge willtbe 15 cents. Table Shows Charges. TT" . ....la-a, av. 1, t,A H.llvjir.ll flllt- side the postal district but not outside tne parcel post zone in wmuu n. mailed, the charge will be 6 cents for .1 f I aa a, . i .a .1 onA 9 mntl fft AAPh lllal 1IL I aa ai "1111 va..aai - additional pound up to the limit of 11 pounds, or a total postage cuarge ui cents. The charge Increases with the num ber of zones the parcel has to cross in reaching its destination. A general idea a . 1 nka,.a nf n tl V nacVa I'd W P i ST h i II T VI me tii". n v j i o- ' ' - -' from 1 to 11 pounds mailed to either of the elgnt zones is suown in me mi- lowing table 1st Zone M 5 o S WEIGHT. -.. 8 C a. - ? ?. 1 pound 10.05 0.05 2 pounds J2 -OJ poundf Oi -11 4 pounds..., 5 pounds...! J 6 pounds 1? -SS 7 pounds " -JJi g Pounds - - - (1 pounds. - ;) 10 puunds 14 .a.- 11 pounds 11 -ssl The local rate Is applicable to parcels Intended for delivery at the office of mailing or on a rural route starting therefrom. It will be observed that the rates ofpostage are largely reduced and that the limit of weight Is increased from four toeleven pounds. Parcels will be delivered it all free-delivery olllce. and to patrons residing on rural and star route.; they may be registered and may be accorded special delivery service on payment on the usual fees and toey may oo insureu saiuot ivoo value, but not to exceed 25. upon payment In quantities of not lea. than 2000 Identical hln ar ranlrl In munK. All lh mtAR minted above atinlv to all territory under the jurisdiction of tne unitel estates, except tne ruuip plne Islands, for which the rates will v.. -ti flAnta fnr- th i t-f-f ruinnrl and 12 cents for each additional pound, which is tne same as ma imo uuau scu wi anc eighth zone. The object of the zone is to protect the country merchant. Already the great mail order houses do a mammoth business in the country districts. Far mers living miles from town write to the city for merchandise. They buy a money order from the rural carrier and have the goods sent by express. If they could have the delivery by par cels post at the same expense as from their home town, it would mean a yet larger volume of this away-from-home trading. The country merchant resents this mail order business bitterly, and has reason ' to do so. It is all a cash business, while his own customers are frequently asking for credit, and he loses the interest on the money needed to carry the accounts. ine parcel pwl ably larger than the stamps now used hv the Postofflce Department. The The parcel post stamps are consider by the Postofflce Department. i i .1 .11 Icnnmtnatini color is red for all denominations and the stamps measure 1 by lli inches be- i"o , - T, - , . , tween perforation lines. Ariangular ornaments occupy both upper corners, and the subjects for the different de- tween perforation lines. Triangular Clerk"; 2-cent. "City Carrier1 ; 3-c.ent, I "Railway Postal Clerk ; 4-cent, tturai Carrier"; 6-cent, "Mail Train"; 10-cent "Steamshin and Mall Tender' : 15-cent, l 1 1 1 a. l , a -a c n l, jiau a.u.u , -a. " "Steamship and Mall Tender": 15-cent. TO BE New: System to Permit Sending of Packages Up ZONES INTO WHICH THE COUNTRY HAS BEEN DmpED AS A BASIS FOR COMPUTING RATES OF j POSTAGE ON PARCELS MAILED IN THIS CITY. . t cent "Harvesting"; 1. "Fruit-grow- laa tr ' Packets for the parcel post In Port land can be mailed only at the main Postofflce building. Sixth and Morri inn streets, and at 19 of the 35 sub stations in the city. The 19 sub-sta tions and their locations zoiiow: Station. Location. 8 ;. ...282 Oak street is 401 Third street lelCIII!.' 88 Killlngworth avenue 18 ....120 East Twenty-eiffhth street North ri 750 Washington street X "J..". 118 Union avenue B S88 Russel street C 1163 Belmont street ry'" ' 503 Milwaukee street p - 29 Gllsan street p ''.''. 1148 Union avenue North ArleVa 4038 Sixty-fifth street Southeast Kenton 1T34 Derby street North Uontavllla 2002 East Stark strwt Rosa City. .Bandy road and Fifty-seventh St. St. Johns 414 North Jersey street Sellwood.'. 1685 East Thirteenth street University. Lombard street Woodstock... 4610 Sixtieth avenue Southeast a ... i-... Tin.imaitiir Williamson de sires to inform the Porland public that parcel post pacKages aeposnea m w of the package boxes distributed .i that nli-v or at anv other e a, 1 .,1 ,, point than the is stations iaumicu above, will not De coiiecteti. - "lucl . . 1 l.na.aa. In posting packages for delivery under "I first became Interested in the par pu.w.ias v- a mmi.... I ; . ahii ihronil." said Postmas- tne parcel post service, ni. iia.aai..-.a-.. has arranged to have printed notices nas arrangea w v Inform the public tne closest jud-i- th vieinitv of the package box T-l5lS?&- will be received. rnni Merchant Not Affected. Arguing tnat tne parcel iium operate so as to favor the mail order . . . ,inntrv Arguing that the parcel post will not II U UStJ HI alio a. iia.'"" " , - merchant, an official of the Postofflce Department recently, in an interview, said; "Rural telephones have practically spread over the entire country, and they will be used in conjunction with the parcel post to the advantage of both the farmer and the country merchant. The housdwlfe, for instance, finds that she Is out of sugar. She steps to the phone and orders It sent by' parcel post. She will not order it from a city when the nearest country merchant can send it more quickly. If the farmer breaks a harrow or a part of some farm jqulpment it will not be necessary for him to hitch up and drive to town; he will merely step to his phone and order the new part sent by 'P. P.' The time saved will more than compensate him bouse at tne expeuoo i a. . j ... i a . . a 1 Dn.tnfliiD S3 -S3 o II 3-" 0.0l .16 .23 $0.10 .28 $o.l !si .41 .51 .61 ' .71 .81 SO. 12 .24 .3(M .48 .60 .37 .44 .51 .46 .85 .64 .73 .72 .84 .58 .96 1.08 .65 .82 .91 .7! .71 .m 1.01 1.20 1.32 1.00 1.11 - . , , , of a fee of 5 cents. Parcel, may be mailed pieces without stamps atfixsd. the postage for his outlay of stamps. I expect to see the country merchants advertising free delivery in the local papers, just as their city brothers do. They will use the parcel post as their delivery wag- uass. aa. ..111 K. aoiaail laa. t la . nt-ll carriers to affix to the parcels to be . -aal 1-V. -111 .l.n K. a.a-aaa-la. ed with a map and a pair of scales, and Will collect tne rigni atxiuuni. ul pusiase upon receiving the package. Tho stamps will be canceled at the next Olllce visnetia Anu rigm nere aa ex cellent example of the tremendous all ficulties to be overcome in install ing the new system can be seen. vitria Entail Mneh Work. "Each postoffice and mall carrier must be provided with a pair of scales that will weign irom iuur ounces to 11 pounds. This means that between 100,000 and 125,000 of them must be .1 .. faaa- Via. t la aa fine n tha raar 1 CU1IJ a a. a aa -j a. aa j a" a. - a. a aa. a a- a. j a a-- . Right now there - are not more than 500 sucn scales in tne wnoie eepan ment. And I doubt very much, indeed, If even though all the scale manufac turers in the country were given orders for scales, they could supply us with a sufficient number in the allot ted time." Tha.a bp atlAIlt 2 flflfl fWUTtrif flCAA in the United States. Each one of these must be equipped with a specially pre-nai-ed man made up so as to show each individual postoffice in the United States as a center, with zones radiating therefrom. In addition, each - - ... . 1 I al alh new pUSWllllie UlUSI uts a ui iji-3iii3-aa . a an a new parcel post guide giving the name of every postofflce in the United o. , i it. t.tiT.itairiA, .oiaiiinfinna alLtlLCa Rllil l,a a a- a a a a aa a . a-aa, a a.n a a. a a .a a. 10.06 0.07 $0.08 .10 .12 .14 .14 .17 .20 .18 .22 .2 .22 .27 .32 .2rt .82 -SS .30 .37 .44 .34 .42 .50 .38 .47 .58 .42 .52 .62 .46 .671 .6S INAUGURATED NEW YEAR'S th. aaoaar ca-otPTTl and all information necssary to tell the public just what may be' sent by parcel post. . lVew Scales Important Item. All the old scales were built to weigh only four pounds. Because of the change in the limit of weight new scales will have to be purchased that will register a weight of 11 pounds or more. Then comes individual instruc tion of every postmaster throughout the country. This will be followed by the making of contracts for delivery of packages within towns and cities not having rural carrier service, the ap pointment of thousands of drivers for the new wagons, designing and print ing of distinctive parcel post stamps, and many other things of like charac ter. All of this had to be accomplished and the system in full operation within he space of three months. From this may be gathered some idea of the mag nitude of the task undertaken by Uncle Sam to provide his people "with an up-to-date system of parcel post deliv ery. The first consignment of these welerhine: machines cost $77,300. This is unuciaiuuu w Is understood to- be the largest single i umcr am Bai " IT.Ua. Slat.B . a.a-a a,Va. ........ , ter-Gerreral Hitchcock, in an interview , fh p,inmifrs' Advocate. "I have Europe Biua;e w 1 snur the svs- iu,o.e.. -- ------ tem in operation there and the great advantage it -. I decided we should adopt it here. It has proven or lnestimaDie service m European countries ana tne taken advantage of the cheap rates ot i taken advantage ot tne cneap reu transportation almost universally. 1 "T jannK.der the best feature of I.T aanaMa, t Vi . laAHt fAfttUrA Of tllC A a.Ullt3iaaa.a a" aa system the Immense convenience it will afford those living in rural cuiuiiiuiii ties where the express companies do not go. By it, we will have more than 1,000,000 miles oi rural oenvery j"icm 1 a. .avnP.CA anmTlflllV flnP TJltfS WlieiO HaJ t-aiaua aa a j . Formerly, the farmer had to drive to the nearest town large enuugn i ouf port an express office in order to se- 1. 1 aa aar (hav Will be CUre HI H llUtiaaBaio. -' " " delivered at his door. Our system will reach every postoixice in me u States. iaa. i.w m intn Atrect January a , mil .nrl T A-rnACt And intend that it shall be put into operation n every aa.,.aaaMaa. . I m 11 1 1 ATI AOU Si V. tOT WC llODe to be prepared by that time. The sys tem will not ne lntrouuceu piti-cana-ia.. The plans to be worked out by the cora- in.. . nmnapnil" t 11 IIP nil OUH when you consider the short time allowed for preparation. for example, wBun must be provided for the delivery of the goods. The ones now in use on the rural routes are usually two-wheeled Jumpers,' which will not be large enough to carry the increased mail. tt . a ait ha n I." M Ad. Wd PXDeC.t riaAUnieiO aimo, "a. - - . to use motor cars as extensively as possible in the system. Safe Delivery to Be Insured. "Methods of handling the parcels must be considered and the require ments of packing so as to insure safe delivery fixed. Terms of indemnifica tion for lost packages must be ar ranged and, probably, an insurance sys tem will be adopted, to protect the Gov ernment from loss.- "No, I do not anticipate that the sys tem will be a moneyi-making enter prise, nor do I desire it to be, but I do intend that it shall be self-supporting. Under the law aa passed, latitude is given the Postmaster-General, with the consent of tho Interstate .Commerce Commission, to so fix rates as to render it self-supporting. If we find that the transportation of certain articles costs more than the postage, the rates will be raised in order to cover the deficit. This is a huge mathematical problem and It must be figured out. Accurate figures as to the cost of carrying cer tain classes of mail will be kept and the rates regulated accordingly. I in tend, however, to keep rates as low as is consistent with the proposition that the system must defray expenses and each separate article the cost of its own transportation. Naturally the cost of delivery cannot be determined by the first few months of its operation, but these matters will adjust them selves." ' . "The zone system is utilized for the protection of the small merchant. He will come within a closer zone than the mail-order house. Consequently his postage will be less. This will enable him to meet competition from the cities. I believe that the parcel post will work to the great advantage of both the rural merchant and his customer, the farmer." - - Portland Merchant Favor System. When the parcel post became an es tablished fact. Acting Postmaster Will iamson, complying with a request from the Postoffice Department which was desirous of obtaining a general idea of the extent to which the new service would be taken advantage of by Port land merchants, communicated with them. Accompanying a circular letter, Mr. Williamson sent a blank containing 3v number of questions with the request that they be answered and returned. 1 inn na The list of questions mciuueu mc following: " nat is wo numuei- m fourth class parcels now mailed by you I rfHv? whitt will be the average nuxn- a. a. - -. . .. to - .rounds Weight. h., ma Marl hv van when this la w be- comes effective? Their average weight? Th.i. avofn t-A' nirxA? What uronortion of the entire number will be for local delivery? Will your parcels De maueu in large quantities at stated intervals or will there be a regular dally mail- n07 vvnaT rmrf'.niHt'H ul Daiceia niu h insnrAd? - Rea-istered? Perishable? C.a,aa-il.A Whon , Vl o C O O f aM f 1 TR IS placed in operation what percentage . , a. - r r r, 9 or your parcels win bisuv . v. . ai Ta'llll.Riann'a latlo. I ("1 t 1 a mT la.n, .nn.lsfail f. Vi I n f i a- nf a. HlcrASt Of tne provisioua Ul tun paivcia "una, vlded for packages destined for the dlf- r.a.nt iiii im i no rp.snDHBH 1 1 1 Liie icl ters proved a surprise to him. They indicated tnat tne parcel punt win ci generally be taken advantage of by the local business man. There is more than a probability that the Portland office will be swamped witn tnis in creased business for a few days until rha aTMAm hfia heen fullv established and in thorough operation. Automobiles to Be Utilised. Although the rates prescribed by la- " .,.,! ....... n r-a elloahtlv liiff-hAT lUO Jicai a-a. a awei. aaiu a-.-ra " J -ea than tha QVAfaCTA Mflt tn bllflinPRH COn- cerns having a large delivery business, it is to be expected the smaller mer chants with a limited delivery busi ness will generally use iuc iiaiwia post which, in most cases, ' will be cheaper than for them to maintain their present delivery system. The large department stores undoubtedly. will use tne parcel post ior tne unliv ery of packages to the remote sec tions of the city, particularly in those districts where streets have not been ImnrnvaH nnd when' r.nlv Occasional deliveries are required. Tne city tetter carriers nere win not have their labors increased as a ...all. a namal nnot la II , tVio nirfll 1 a. aa aa a a aa a aa i .... a yvu, a . .. carriers will have additional burdens. In Portland ail aeiiveries win db made by automobile, that is packages Qn ai-aai , nnH 111 1 1 If Mr. W i 1 1 i la TT1 - son has closed a contract for two auto mobiles for delivery purposes ana nao instructions from the Postofflce De- .a i t-.w.iti. In Amnlov nthnrw n a the de mands of the service require. ... I a ! a. 1 Wltn tneir present, equipment, iuioi ..; - aa .1 a, in' t Vl 11 n Vam (TP A lA carrying only about 16 per cent of tneir maximum capacity 01 iow jjuuuuo. There are 40,000 rural routes in opera tion, all fully equipped. Without over loading these carriers or exceeding their capacity, it Is apparent tnat tne Government figures it can handle this Uaaaaeail 1 11 l: t II Li U ai thrnilfrh its. rural carriers for the present, at least, with out entailing mucn expense as to un livery. . - Local Rates Not Yet Fixed. The regulations, so far as they have been received at the Portland postof 1,.. rannliaa that nil nackaces mailed In any city or town be brought to a This evidently is deemed advisable by it,. nraoa-nffiraA officials that the re th poBtof (lce officials that the re auiI.ed DOstage may .be ascertained an quired postage may. be ascertained and affixed to pacKages. uaier, wiicii mc nannla hecome tamiliar witn tne bj' tem and the rates of postage, it Is HTJBBAED COUPLE WHO CELEBRATE THEIR GOLDEN WEDDING iv- ai.iiiiaaiiili-'ii1,Tfii1(iniir 1 j Z!?,..eld&'s I m. VWM. I t I N. Vaa fa-IXa i HUBBARD, Or Dec. 14. (Special.) At their farm home three miles east of Hubbard, Mr. and Mrs. John Wachtman celebrated their 50th wedding an niversary. Mr. Wachtman was born In Nev Stltin, German', May 15, 1840, and is a veteran of the Franco-Prussian and Austria-Prussian wars. Mrs. Wachtman was born in the same place February 2 4, 1841. They were married December 5, 186 2, and came to the United States in 1871, settling in Illinois, where they resided until 1879, when they movdd to their farm, which has been their home since. Seven children were born to them, only three of whom are living. They were present at the reunion. One daughter, Mrs. H. Baumann, and a son, J. F. Wachtman, reside in Portland, and the other son, George Wachtman, lives at home.- The other im mediate relatives present were Mrs. H. Baumann, Mrs. J. F. Wachtman and two granddaughters. Miss Hannah Baumann and Miss Mabel Wachtman. There was also a large gathering of friends and neighbors. nrnhahla ihla rnla aavlll 1A rACAlled and patrons of the service allowed to mail all packages- direct from their homes through either the city or rural car riers. V Although Instructions have not LfCCU l fj'ia.-ir l cu 1.1110 jfou uvwuk v Mr. Williamson expects that the rural carrier will be authorized to receive packages for mailing. In that event 1 .11 I.. naa-ililafl with .1 -J nUlH And the necessary scales for weighing all packages offered. At the present time, the rural carrier is empowered to reg ister letters and packages, sell stamps and issue money orders in fact, be is a traveling postofflce. Until rate cards have been received, Mr. Williamson says it will be Impos sible to determine Portland's exact location within the eighth zone and the surrounding quaarangies. ror mo same reason, it will be impossible to ascertain rates or postage on ptn6 mailed in Portland and vicinity for de livery In any other part of the eighth zone or to any point in either ot the other seven zones. High Cost of Living Factor. A branch nf the parcel post -system which Is in force in several countries, hut Tji-hirh In not to be introduced at present in the United States, is a cash on delivery service. Its operation is very simple and it brings in a moderate surplus to the Government. What takes place is this: A man in Calcutta, for example, sees a price list or an ad vertisement of a watchmaker in Bom bay. He writes to him. ordering a par ticular watch to he sent by parcel post C. O. D. The merchant delivers the watch at the postoffice In Bombay, to gether with a bill showing the price charged. Upon the arrival of the par cel in Calcutta It is aenverea at mo house of the purchaser and the postman collects the price, which is remitted by money order to the Bombay merchant. For this service the government charges 1 per cent of the value of the article in addition to the ordinary postal charge. Every investigation wnicn nan undertaken for 'the purpose of discov ering the Causes of the high cost of living has reached a similar conclusion on one point at least namely, that a heavy, and in many cases an exorbl lani tnii ha a hAftn levied on the con- sumer through the lack of proper means for bringing nim into aireci tuuen .! the producer, and of thus eliminating at least some of the middlemen who in tervene in almost every transaction be tween the two parties whose Interests n ..a .lifallv annaarnaH Once the people get used to ordering their vegetaDies, tneir cnmiwuo, mc. butter and other household supplies that are produced witnin a ramus ui v 1 1 .a . .1 .a a 1 1 aa hv nersnnal arrange ment with the uroducer, and find that by means of the parcel post they can aaaaaj .annaa -3 rffll 1 U T P H Palf! and punctual supply, there should be a great cutting down of intermediate pruiiui. rinitn Divided Into Units. The text of the parcel post law as en- ..,..1 law I 'O T1 al Til 1111 S . wThal haraariar TOUrtn-CiaSS lllixil lalalllCI, llia-laaaaaai a products, not now embraced by law in a.-. Inlailna- farm nnii factory either the nrst, secona or mnu v.,.o. not exceeding tl pounds in weight, nor , in niva than 11 inches in length and girth combined, nor in form or kind likely to injure tne person oi ij"o"-i employe or damage the mail equipment a 1 a-a.ll .M a 1 1 A a A T A tl lit flf a P tl R T acter perishable within a period rea sonably required ior truusyoi muuu delivery. "That for the purposes oi snia op tion the United States and its several territories and possessions, excepting aw. Dhlllaanlna Taal-jtiflu aaha.ll bft divided Vila? JL !ll'laJl'l.a- a . . into units of area 30 miles square, iden- i i hi, a niinrtAT nT tne area lormea by the intersecting parallels of latitude -Iai-oa. rati i r.n r t ii r A. renresented UU 111 it i i a. .aa- ii n aa. . " - - aa - . - -a on appropriate postal maps or plans, and such units of area shall be the basis of eight postal zones, as ioiiowb. Tih. ami ,nna Ahull include all ter ritory within such quadrangle, in con Junction with every contiguous quad- rangle. representing an area .having -a mean radical distance or approximately 60 miles from the center of any given unit of area. "The second zone shall include units of area outside the nrst zone ly- ing in whole or in part within a rad us of approximately too '. center of a given unit of area. Various Zones Outlined. "The third zone snail inciuae nn units of area outside the second zone 1 -.: 1 1, aal aa n nn Pt within A TO.- dius of approximately S00 miles from the center ot a given unit oi "The fourth zone shall Include all units of area outside the third zone lying in whole or in part within a ra dius of approximately 600 miles from the center of a given unit of area. "The fifth zone shall Include all units ot area outside the fourth zone lying in whole or In part within a radius of approximately 1000 .miles from the cen ter of a given unit of area. "The sixth zone shall include all units of area outside the fifth zone lying In whole or in part within a radius of ap proximately 1400 miles from tho center of a given unit of area. "The seventh zone shall include all units of area outside the sixth zone lying in whole or in part within a ra dius of approximately 1800 miles from the center of a given unit of area. "The eighth zone shall Include all units of area outside the seventh zone. Hate Gauged By Pound. "That the rate of postage on fourth- f aaK class matter weighing not more than four ounces shall be 1 cent for each ounce or fraction of an ounce; and on such matter in excess of four ounces in weight the rate shall be by the pound, as hereinafter provided, the postage in all cases to be prepaid by distinctive postage stamps affixed. "That except as provided in the next preceding paragraph postage on matter ot the fourth class shail be prepaid at the following rates: "On all matter mailed at the post office from which a rural route starts, for delivery on such route, or mailed at any point on such route for delivery at any other point thereon, or at the office from which the route starts, or any rural route starting therefrom, and on all matter mailed at a city carrier office, or at any point within its de livery limits, for delivery by carriers from that office, or at any office for local delivery, cenia ior me iirai. -a aPa...tlaan 1.1 A nniinja lilH 1 POIUIO OI a i aa a. I aa i a v . a- . cent for each additional pound or trac tion of a pound. "For delivery within the first zone, except as provided in the next preced ing paragraph, 5 cents for the first pound or fraction of a pound and t cents for each additional pound or frac tion of a pound. "For delivery within the second zone exceDt as provided in the next preced ing paragraph, 6 cents for the first .1 laaallnn nf A tlOUnd .TlU 4 cents for each additional pound or frac. tlon of a pound. ..a- ...ii vlfhln'tha third EOBC. r ui geiiici; .. nm-i ...-a. a - a ava. ripal nnntlll PI V f TRCt ! till of a pound and 6 cents for each addi tional pound or traction ot a pouuu. "For delivery within the fourth zone, A a. fa.- . V, ft.. nnlinri llf fraction of a pound and 6 cents for each addi tional pound or traction or a pouuu. Distance Governs Coat. itaa riAitvArv within the fifth zone 9 cents, for the first pound or fraction of a pound and 7 cents tor eacn mam tlonal pound or fraction of a pound. "For delivery within the sixth zone. 10 cents for the first pound or fraction of a pound and 9 cents for each addi tional pound or traction ot a pouna. "For delivery within the seventh zone. 11 cents for the first pound or . I . aaaanaa-t anil 10 PPI1 1 f OT each additional pound or fraction of a pouna. "For delivery within the eighth zone Vaa. 1 1. aa t li H I U T 1 n i n A lalandS and aa a a aa aia a " i . ii an, a -----aa - any portion of the United States, In cluding the .District or uoiumum uu the several territories and possessions, 12 cents br the first pound or fraction of a pound and li cents for each addi tional pound or fraction of a pound. "That the Postmaster-General shall provide such special equipment, maps, stamps, directories and printed instruo. tlons as may be necessary for the ad ministration of this section; and for the purpose of this section, and to supple ment existing appropriations, includ ing the hiring of teams' and drivers, there is hereby appropriated out of any money In the treasury not otherwise appropriated, the sum of $750,000. "The classification of articles mail able as well as -the weight limit, the rates of postage, zone or zones and other conditions or mallabillty under this act. If the Postmaster-General shall find on experience that they or any of them are such as to prevent the shipment of articles desired, or to permanently render the cost of tho. service greater than the receipts of the revenue therefrom, he is hereby author ized, subject to the consent of the in terstate Commerce Commission, after investigation, to reform from time to time such classification, weight limit, rate, zone or zones or conditions, or either, in order to promote the service to the public or to insure the receipt of revenue from such service ade quate to pay the cost thereof. Shipper Hay Be Indemnified. "The Postmaster-General shall maka provisions by regulation for the lndem nifiaaHnii pif EhlnnArs- and. when de sired, for the collection on delivery of , flxlnK BUch cbarg8 as may bo " ac.v to nay the cost of such ad- the postage and price oi tne arucio --. '...l, "JlSg1 poT'asUr-General may adjust tn compensation of star route and "e compen u " r(,alllt ot o,. parcel post appear as "JS,. h them has been materially Increased. II iaf ,,a-.a aa 1 1 n V, 1A All 1 11 Rtlllfillta hOWOVera 9 detailed account must be kept as to tnaj amount or business nanaieu u guch star, route or screen wagon con- I a a Vaa...-. -nil al ft all- this SeCtlOO tha Amount ot business nanaieu oy tractors before and after this section became effective for such a period as tn aiaapw i. Am nn strate the amount of the increase In the weight of the malls was due to the adoption of the pares, post system. Some Exceptions Noted. "That the establishment of zones and postage rates ot this section shall go Into effect January 1, 1913. arvi.t thia ant xhAll not In any way affect the postage rates on seeds, cut tings, bUlOS, rOOtS, SCIOnU, IUU ,J.U..aaa, as fixed by Section 482 of the Postal Laws and- Regulations. "For the purpose of further inquiry into the subject of the general parcel post and all related subjects, a joint committee of six persons (members of Congress), three of whom shall be ap pointed by the President of the Senata and three by the Speaker of the House, Is constituted, with full power to ap point clerks, stenographers, and ex perts to assist them in this work. That the Postmaster-General and the Inter state Commerce Commission shall fur nish such data and otherwise render such assistance to the said commltteo as may be desired or available. For the purpose of defraying the expenses of this committee the sum of $25,000 is. hereby appropriated out of the moneys in the Treasury not btherwise appro priated. The committee shall report fully to Congress at the -earliest date possible." t GIRL CONVICTS FATHER Arthur Wallcn, 50 Years Old, Found . Guilty of Attaching Daughter. EXAMAXJI FALLS. Or., -Dec 14. (Special.) In the case of Arthur Wal len, charged with attacking his young daughter, the remaining jurors were obtained from the second venire and the trial proceeded at once. .The case was given to the Jurors and they were out just long enough to choose a fore man and take one ballot and returned with a verdict of guilty as charged. As the least penalty under the law is 20 years' Imprisonment, this will oe equivalent to a life sentence, as the man is past BO years of age. The testimony of the girl and her married sister, to whom she told tne story a short time after the occurrence, could not be shaken. Wallen took the stand in his own behalf, but failed to help his own case. Survey of Damaged Bark Made. ASTORIA. Or.. Dec 14.-(S A survey was made today of the British bark Metropolis, which was caught in the ice off Cape Horn during her re cent trip from Buenos Ayres The sur- -vey was made by Captain Vesey. Lloyd s surveyor, and Captain Mann, of the British colony. They found that the vessel-s hull was not injured, but ha Tost the greater portion of sails, her steering gear was badly a-8ed. some of her rigging w 11 have to be re placed and she sustained some other damages of a minor nature.