THE 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.