THE NATIONAL NURSERYMAN 
363 
THE PARCEL POST SITUATION IN WASHINGTON 
On this, my sixth visit to Washington in the interest of 
pareel post I find a eondition whieh should interest every 
reader of your paper. The pareel ])ost law eontains a vital 
clause, proposed by the “Parcel Post Congressman,” Repre¬ 
sentative Lewis of Maryland, giving the Postmaster General 
power, by and with the consent of the Interstate Commerce 
Commission, to change the zones, the weight of parcels, 
the carrying charge, and all conditions of mailability Act¬ 
ing upon urgent requests from all over the country. Post¬ 
master General Burleson, after most careful study, with the 
permission of the Interstate Commerce Commission, an¬ 
nounced that on and after Aug. 15th, 1913, the postal service 
will accept parcels weighing up to 20 i^ounds as follows: 
On rural routes only, at a charge of 5c for the first pound, 
and yic for each additional pound, or fraction thereof. 
The first zone is increased to 150 miles, airline, from the 
receiving postoffice; and the carrying weight reduced to 
5c for the first pound and ic for each additional pound. 
When this ruling goes into effect a fanner can send a 20 
pound package for 15c to his postoffice, or to any person on 
his own rural route; or 20 pounds to any postoffice within 
150 miles for 24c. Thus, the weight is almost doubled and 
the rate cut about in half. Thereafter, ordinary postage 
stamps are to be used, instead of the special stamps now 
employed. These changes will make the parcel post service 
ten times more valuable than now 
But there is no peace in this world. Already there are 
rumblings and grumblings here in Washington, in all prob¬ 
ability originating with the express companies, and possibly 
with the railroads. It is proposed to take away from the 
Postmaster General the power to improve the parcel post 
service, even with the consent of the Interstate Commerce 
Commission. But is not this delegation of power as now 
expressed in the law, just what it should be? How can 
Congress which each session is called on to consider about 
40 000 bills, ever attend to all the details of our great postal 
system, which so vitally affects every citizen? It will be 
time enough to limit the powers of the Postmaster General 
when it shall have been found that he is working against the 
wishes and needs of the people in postal matters—till then, 
by all means let the present law stand. 
To head off this sinister purpose, and thereby save parcel 
post, each and every farmer should at once write a brief, 
courteous letter to his two Senators and his Representative 
in Washington, urging him to leave the present law alone 
and stand by Postmaster General Burleson in his effort to 
improve the parcel post service. Now is the time to tell 
your Congressman how valuable the parcel post system 
already is, and how much you approve the proposed changes. 
Write and mail these letters at once, for there are forces at 
work the aim of which is to tie the hands of the Postmaster 
General and once for all destroy the efficiency of the parcel 
post system. 
Do you want a still better parcel post? Speak out NOW, 
and SPEAK PLAIN. W. A. Henry, 
Emeritus Professor of Agriculttire, formerly Dean College of 
Agriculture, University of Wisconsin. 
Present address, Blue Hills Farm, Wallingford, Conn. 
500,000 ONE-YEAR OLD APPLE TREES 
I Just the kind you want to buy, sell or give away. The 
I kind that make customers come back and stay. Prices 
I right, they’re right, YOU WRITE. 
! WILLS VALLEY NURSERY CO. Inc. 
! Waycross, Ga. Fort Payne, Ala. 
STRAWBERRY PLANTS 
- FOR FALL PLANTING - 
Also ASPARAGUS, RASPBERRY and BLACKBERRY PLANTS. I make a -specialty 
of filling orders for nurseries directly to their customers. Wholesale price list free. 
HARRY C. SQUIRES 
GOOD GROUND, N. Y. === 
HORTICULTURE 
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