No. 4.] RURAL BETTERxMENT. 21 



ineut, the dwellers in rural sections would be specially ben- 

 efited thereby. The parcel post is a logical sequence to 

 rural mail delivery, and by this means the parcels mailed 

 would he taken direct to the houses of the people upon rural 

 delivery routes, which facilities do not exist in express com- 

 pany service. Rural mail carriers could collect and deliver 

 several times the present amount of mail matter without 

 material cost, and through the receipts from a parcel post 

 system the annual deficiency arising from the rural delivery 

 system might be reduced. The post-office department that 

 has hitherto turned a cold shoulder toward the parcel post 

 innovation now reconmiends a local parcel post over sepa- 

 rate rural routes. This is not what the people ought to 

 have, but might act as an opening wedge to something bet- 

 ter. Some one has remarked that there are three great 

 objections to the establishment of a general parcel post, 

 namely, the Pacific Express Company, the Wells, Fargo 

 Express Company and the American Express Company. It 

 must be admitted that the influence of these companies for 

 retaining a profitable business is tremendous ; but the profits 

 of a few thousand stockholders in these companies should not 

 stand in the way of the legitimate pri^dleges of 80,000,000 

 people. The difl'erence to millions of people between send- 

 ing a package b}^ express for 25 cents and by parcel post for 

 6 or 8 cents, and in the latter case to the door of rural con- 

 signees, is an argument that should be given attention by 

 those in authority in the matter. 



We understand that all the leading countries of Europe 

 have the parcel post. In Germany the rates for distances up 

 to 46 miles are : 11 pounds, () cents ; 22 pounds, 12 cents; 

 33 pounds, 18 cents; 44 pounds, 24 cents; 110 pounds, 

 60 cents. In all (xermany, including Austria, 11 })ounds 

 are carried for 12 cents. In Switzerland, up to 62 miles, 

 110 pounds are carried for 60 cents. . The general rates are : 

 1 pound, 3 cents; .5 pounds, 5 cents; 11 pounds, 8 cents; 

 22 pounds, 17 cents; 33 pounds, 23 cents; 44 pounds, 

 33 cents. The rates in other countries vary somewhat, but 

 are not substantially different. In Great Britain, or the 

 United Kingdom, the rates are : 1 pound or less, (> cents ; 



