26 



TWENTY-NINTH FRUIT-GROWERS' CONVENTION. 



"public" tells who that master is. The people is the master to direct 

 that service. "Our" indicates that we are the people. 



I want to know now who there is here that knows the various classes 

 of postal matter that we have in the United States and the rates on 

 that postal matter? Anybody? No. Well, you see, you can't direct 

 our public service unless you know about things. Now, may I tell you 

 that there are four classes. The first class consists of letters and 

 postal cards. The rate on them you know. On letters it is 2 cents 

 for one ounce or fraction thereof; postal cards, 1 cent apiece. The sec- 

 ond class is newspapers and serials. They are sent from the publisher 

 to the subscriber at 1 cent per pound, and if you or I send them out, 1 

 cent for four ounces. They charge us four times the rate which they 

 charge the publisher. The third class is Ijooks and other printed mat- 

 ter, including seeds and scions — some concession to the fruit-grower. 

 They are sent at the rate of 1 cent for two ounces. The fourth 

 class is any other merchandise of any description that is mailable. 

 The rate on that is 1 cent per ounce, with a limit of four pounds in 

 a package. 



Now then, I am sure you all want our public service to be strictly 

 modern and up to date, as good as any other country's public service, 

 and just a little better. You wouldn't be Americans if you didn't. 

 Well, is that our condition at present? Regarding our first-class mat- 

 ter I have given you the rates already. Germany sends an 8-ounce 

 letter for 2^ cents, and Switzerland sends an 8-ounce letter for 1 cent 

 to any postofiice in Switzerland, and delivers the same letter on the 

 highest mountain peak in Switzerland — quite a climb sometimes — for 



1 cent more — 2 cents for half a pound, delivered. Great Britain charges 



2 cents for four ounces. So much for first-class matter. Now for sec- 

 ond class matter: Our neighbor, Canada, provides the same service for 

 half our rates. She sends newspapers for half a cent a pound anywhere, 

 not only in Canada, but also in the United States and in Great Britain, 

 anywhere for half a cent a pound. Within 300 miles of the sending 

 office she delivers them free of all charges. Regarding third-class — 

 and with the third class I will include fourth-class matter, any mer- 

 chandise of any kind — you know we pay to send from San Francisco 

 to Oakland, or from Fresno to Madera, or anywhere around here, 64 

 cents for 4 pounds. Germany sends an 11-pound package 1,500 miles — 

 an 11-pound package for 12 cents; the same package 46 miles for 6 

 cents. She sends 110 pounds anyw^here in Germany or Austro-Hun- 

 gary for 60 cents, which is less than the price we pay from San Fran- 

 cisco to Oakland on 4 pounds. Now^ you can see how your present 

 rates compare with the rates of other countries. Not only are these 

 rates given to the public, but a profit is made at these rates 1)y the 

 German and English governments. You will remember that this 



