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About The frontier. (O'Neill City, Holt County, Neb.) 1880-1965 | View Entire Issue (Jan. 2, 1913)
PARCELS POST IS OUR NEW YEAR'S GIFT FROM UNCLE SAM Government, by Going Into the Express Business, Reduces the Package Carrying Rates on All Matter Under 11 Pounds Weight. Parcels post—Uncle Sams New Year’s gift to his 103,992,575 nephews And nieces on both sides of the globe. On January 1, of the new year, in some thing over 70,000 postoffloes in the United States and territories, a new regulation designed primarily to afford A better market to the farmer in need of small articles about his home is ef fective. In a limited way, Uncle Sam has entered the general express busi ness, and unless the large private for warding companies are able to meet the rates that have been authorized by the government, the bulk of the small package business will likely, In the course of a few months, find its way Into the hands of the government. Hates that are far below those that heretofore have been asked by the com panies. have been decided upon; and ft will be useless for the express com panies to try to compete with the gov ernment without first changing their schedules to meet the rates of the par ^A feature of the parcels post compe tition that the express companies can not hope to meet, is the facilities thu the government has for the speedy de livery. In every state in the union. Into the furthest recess of even the moun tainous districts, rural carriers are making their way dally. Through these carriers, parcels entrusted to the post man wii) be delivered. Plans that have been made for tne carrvlng out of the parcels post order Are only tentative. Though experts from nil parts of the country hav’e been At Washington for several months and have- workorl woniU*rH In evolving tne present regulations, the task has been so monumental that as the system works Us way into general use, there will be new conditions constantly com ing up. to meet which special arrange ments will be necessary. Parcels Post Rates. Under me parcels pom fourth claim matter will disappear from the malls. The new arrangement In cludes the fourth class matter, and at the same time enlarges the scope. Heretofore, packages weighing over four pounds have been unmallable. Now mailable matter up to 11 pounds will be accepted, at rates far below Any charges heretofore known In America. The rates of postage will be deter mined by postal zones. For city de livery the rate will be 5 cents for the first pound or fraction thereof, and a cent additional for each pound or frac tion thereof. Outside of etty delivery there will be eight zones, determined as follows, as set forth in the new law. That for tho purposes of this section the United State* and Its several territories And possessions, excepting the Philippine Islands, shall he divided Into units of area to minutes square, Identical with a quar ter of the area formed by the Intersecting Cirallels bf latitude and meridians of naltude, represented on appropriate postal maps or plans, and such units of Area shall be the basis of eight postal •ones, as follows: The first zone shall Include all territory Within such quadrangle. In conjunction with every contiguous quadrangle, reptv gentlng an.,area having o mean radial disr tAnee of approximately 50 miles from the center of any given unit of urea. The second zone shall include all milts •f area outside the first zone lying In whole or In part within a radius of ap proximately 150 miles from the center of A given unit of area. The third zone shall Include all units of Area outside the second zone lying In whole or In part within a radius of ap proximately 300 tulles from the center of A given unit of area. Tho fourth zone shall Include nil units •t area outside the third zone lying In whole or In part within a radius of ap proximately two miles from the center of A given unit of area. The fifth zone shall Include nil units of Area outstdo tho fourth zone tying tn whole or in part within a radius of ap proximately 1.000 miles from the center of a given unit of area. Tlte alxth zone shall Include all units •f area outside the fifth zone lying hi whole or In part within a radius of ap proximately 1,400 miles from the center of n given unit of area. Tlte seventh zone shall Include all units err area outside the sixth xone lying In whole or In part within a radius of ap proximately 1,800 miles from the center of A given unit of area. The eighth zone" shall Include all units of area outside tho seventh zone. “P. P.” Bates. "Tho ratfor the eight zones will be: For delivery within the flcat zone a« provide! for city delivery. » cents for the first pound or fraction of a pound and 3 cents for each additional pound or frac tion of a pound. For delivery within the second zone, 6 events for the first pound or fruction of a jjoitnd and 4 cents for each additional pound or fraction of a pound. For delivery within tho third zone, 7 cents for the first pound or fraction of a pound and 5 cents for each additional pound or fraction of u pound For ih livery within the fourth zone, 8 ci*nts for the first pound or fraction of a pmtnd, and cents tor each additional pound or fraction of a pound. For delivery within tin* fifth zone. 9 <*eht« for the first pound or fraction of a pound and 7 cents for each additional jourd or fraction of a pound. For delivery within the sixth zone, 10 <ents for the first pound or fraction of 4i pound and 9 cents for each additional pound or fraction of a pound. For delivery within tin* seventh zone, 11 • •cm* for the tfcm pound of fraction of a jpoun and 10' cents for each additional jpoo. d or fraction of a pound. Ft r delivery within tin- eighth zone and ln.lv. * *n Philippine islands and any por ter. of the United State*, includ ug the District of Columbia, and the several tor ritfui *s and possessions. 13 cents for tin* iirM found or fraction of a pound and 13 «*« nl for each additional pound or frac tion * f a pound. System Not Complex. At < rst then' ntay lx- soma mlsUnder ’AlAr.dlnyx and difficulties, but. ua the sty tutm arranged is not complex. It Is ttto; t likely to be extensively patronized *nd appreciates! b.v all who use it after * he • nec become familiar with Its op on Ur.''. For,the guidance of prospective users of tin system. Postmaster General iltuhcock has prepared a map, which shows the United States divided Into sight distinct circular zones, each In turn being divided Into square units. Special Stamps. » rdlr.aty postage stamps cannot be » t d in connection with the parcels for t r. tom. hot special stamps will be l-rovkied for the purpose. Neither can tho pack age* be posted anywhere but a t postal nations, where the exact •wetefct ar.d rate of the parcel will he determined Postmasters er,' required to examine parcels to ascertain that the postage ta foil- prepaid. If a parcel contains two **r more classes of mall matter. It is <"hai geablo with postage nr the rate ap gtUcEbl- *o the highest class of matter »- .y- ■ ■■'• 'V*! Inclosed. Parcels weighing four ounces or less are mailable at the rate of 1 cent for each ounce or fraction of an ounce regardless of distance. All par cels over four ounces are subject to the pound rates. Most Anything Will Go. If you can gird It with a six-foot string and It does not weigh more than 11 pounds, or injure the malls, It is safe to say that you can send it by parcels post, and it does not make a great deal of difference what It is, either eggs or engine Iron. There are specific instructions for determining the dimensions of a par cels post package. It may be not greater In size than 72 inches In length and girth combined. To enable his postmasters to deter mine the size of doubtful packages, Uncle Sam has bought 110,000 tape lines, at a cost of *1,000. Here are a few more things he has bought in prep aration for the opening of the service; 30.000 scales, 25,000 special sacks, 10, 000,000 tags, 130 special zone maps, and 195.000 special rubber stamps. Until the new service is thoroughly established, it will be necessary for patrons of the “P. P." to take their packages to the postoffice or to sub stations in different parts of the city. Parcels post packages can not be mailed in letter or package boxes. They must be taken to the postofflce to be specially stamped. Unmailable Matter. Fragile articles, including mlllnery, toys, musical Instruments and articles of glass in whole or in part, must be securely packed and marked “fragile.” Articles that may not be sent by par cels post include intoxicating liquors of any kind, poison, poisonous animals, Insects or reptiles, explosives of every kind, inflammable articles, including matches, Infernal machines, pistols or revolvers, disease germs, any obscene, defamatory or scurrilous matter now prohibited by law, live or dead ani mals, or birds or live poultry, raw hides or pelts, or anything having a bad odor. Hooks and printed matter may not be forwarded at parcels post rates; but only at the pound rates or as third class matter. Method of Packing. Medicines composed wholly or in part of poisons and anesthetic agents, which are not outwardly or of their own force, dangerous or injurious to health or property, and not in them selves unmailable, when securely pack ed will be accepted for delivery. They must bear the name and address of the manufacturer, or of the dealer. They may be sent to physicians, surgeons, druggists or dentists. Mailable articles which, from their nature, might work an injury to other mail matter or equipment or injure a postal employe, may be mailed when the package is not liquid or llqulflable, in which case they must be placed in a hag or box or placed in a removable envelope or wrapping, made of paper, cloth, parchment or similar material. The whole must be enclosed In a box or tube of metal or wood, securoly closed. Where it is desired to mail an article Parcels post stamps, distinctive In color, shape and design, must be used on all packages that are sent by par cels post. The government has printed 16 different stamps. Twelve are for postage paid at the point of shipment and five designed to be used in ease sufficient postage is not paid when the parcel is first mailed. These last five stamps will be used In the same way are are the regular postage due stamps now used by the government. The regular parcels post stamps are bright red In color, somewhat like the regular 2-cent stamp, though a con siderably brighter rad. They are an that is liable to break, the Inner cover ing must be surrounded by sawdust, excelsior, cotton or other similar ab sorbent substance. Mineral waters, machine oil, milk, salves, etc., will be taken under the parcels post regulations. They must not exceed 11 pounds in weight and will be accepted for mailing when intended for delivery at the office of mailing or on rural routes starting from that of fice, when enclosed in a glass or metal container, securely closed and heavily wrapped, provided it Is not necessary to transport the package on a railroad. Must Protect Liquids. The method of packing such liquids as set forth in the parcels post regu lations follow: The bottle must be very strong and must be enclosed in a block or tube of metal, wood, papier mache or slmlliar material and there must be provided between the bottle and the block or tube, a cushion of cot ton felt or other absorbent. The block or tube, if of wood, must be at least three-sixteenths of an Inch thick in its thinnest part. The whole must be ren dered water tight by an application of paraffine or equally suitable substance. When in a metal container, the weight of the parcel must not exceed 11 pounds. The container must be hermetically sealed and enclosed in a strong box and securely wrapped. When sharp-pointed Instruments are offered for mailing, they must be capped or encased so that they can not cut through their covering. Flour must be put up in such man ner as to prevent the package break ing or cracking, or the flour being scattered in the mails. Candies, confectionery, yeast cakes, etc., must be enclosed in boxes and so wrapped as to prevent injury to other mail matter. Sealed original packages, such as tobacco, will be accepted, but will have to be covered with additional wrappers. Containers or receptacles in which milk, eggs and other perishable goods can be mailed, are being devised by the postal authorities, but until they are ready for use. Postmaster General Hitchcock has made the following reg ulations: Butter, lard and perishable articles, such as fish, fresh meats, dressed fowls, vegetables, fruits, berries and articles of a similar nature, which de cay quickly, when so packed or wrapped as to prevent damage to other mail matter will be accepted for local delivery, either at the office of mailing or on any rural route starting there from. When enclosed in an inner cover and a strong outer cover of wood, metal, heavy corrugated pasteboard, or other suitable material, and wrapped so that nothing can escape from the package, they will be accepted for mailing at all offices within the first zone. Send Eggs, But Pack ’Em. "Eggs will be accepted for local de livery when so packed in a basket or other container as to prevent damage to other mail mattei. “Eggs will be accepted for mailing regardless of distance when each egg is wrapped separately and surrounded with excelsior, cotton or other suitable material and packed in a container made of double corrugated pasteboard, metal, wood or other suitable material in such manner as to place each egg on its end and to prevent them from striking together or against the side or top of the container, with an outer covering of double corrugated paste board, metal, wood or other suitable material and wrapped so that nothing can escape from the package. All sqch inch wide and an inch and a half long. The postage due stamps are the same size and are a light green in color, not unlike the 1-eent stamp used for regular mail. The regular stamps are made in the following denominations: One-cent, 2 cent, 4-cent, 5-cent. 10-cent, 15-cent. 20-eent, 2»-cent, 60-cent, 75-cent and !1. The postage due' stamps are made up in X, 2. 5, 10 and 25-eent de nominations. From the viewpoint of the engraver, the stands are artistic. The regular stamps picture different departments parcels must be labeled ’eggs.'" All fragile articles, including milli nery, toys, musical Instruments and articles made of glass, in part or other wise, must be securely packed and marked, "fragile.” Included among those articles that are excluded from the service are intoxicating liquors of all kinds, poisons, poisonous animals. Insects or reptiles, explosives of every kind, inflammable articles, including matches, infernal machines, pistols or revolves, disease germs, any obscene, defamatory or scurrilous matter now prohibted by law, live or dead animals, or birds or live poultry, raw hides or pelts, or anything having a bad odor. Insurance for 125 on parcel post can be obtained by attaching to the regu lar postage charged a special 5-cent insurance stamp. The usual registry and special delivery features of the postal system will apply to the new service in the same manner as it does with the other postal classes. That First Zone Rate. Considerable confusion has been caused through a misunderstanding of the first zone rate. There is what is called a local rate and a zone rate. The local rate applies to packages that are delivered within the city and along xural routes runlng out from it. The zone rate applies to other towns in the zone and other rural routes that run out from them. In other words, if it is necessary to carry a package on the railroad, the zone rate applies, while if it does not, the local rate applies. Regular carriers will deliver all pack ages under one pound. Other means will be found to deliver packages that are larger. There will be a large saving to the people on the smaller parcel post pack ages. It will also create active com petition in the delivery service, leav ing the people the option as to whether they will send their packages through the postofflce department or by express. If the express companies should re duce their rates this action would also benefit the people. If the people de sire to patronize the postofflce depart ment, the government in the end will attempt to give acceptable service. It has been contended that the coun try merchant would-be destroyed when parcel post service was Inaugurated. In view of the fact that a reduced rate of postage on rural routes has been fixed by congress of 5 cents for the first pound and 1 cent for each addi tional pound from the town or city where the rural route originates to the terminus of said route. We are un able to see how the country mer chant can be injured by this new ser vice. For instance, the country merchant could deliver the maximum package of 11 pounds weight to a customer on any rural route in the town where his store is located for 15 cents. A department store or mail order house in the second zone would be compelled to pay 46 cents tb deliver an 11-pound package; in the third zone, it would be compelled to pay for the same package, 57 cents; In the fourth zone the rate would be 68 cents; in the fifth zone, 79 cents; in the sixth zone, $1.00. It is generally conceded that the country merchants are unduly alarmed. In the great cities where rents are higher, the cost of doing business Is greater, taxes are higher and the scale of wages paid for help is much greater than in the smaller towns of the coun try. Their Quandary. "Why are Jack and Kitty not speak ing?” "They quarreled about which loved the other the more.” "Well?” "And notv each is afraid to give in for fear of offending the other.” The German government is said to contemplate monopolizing the tobacco w* siytrtly. of the mail servioe. The 1-cent stamp bears a picture of a postofflce clerk at work before a case. The 2-center shows a city carrier making his rounds. The 3-center shows a railway mail clerk at work in a car. The 4 center is dedicated to the rural carrier, showing a wagon en route. The 5 eenters have a picture of a fast mall train. Tho 10-cent stamps show an ocean greyhound carrying mall to dis tant ports. The 15-cent stamp pictures a delivery automobile such as Is be ing used by the government In all the larger cities. The 20-cent stamp Is probably the most Interesting cf all, in SI M AT LAST A JTY IS RESULT OF A_LONG EFFORT Ever Since 1874, When Fourth Glass Was Established, the Fight Has Been Waged. When after January 1, the parcels post Is in full operation, the United States will have taken a step forward in a path in which the country for years has been lagging far behind the nations of the old world. While the present regulations are largely experi mental and it is probable that many changes will be necessary from time to time, the system in general has been patterned after systems now In effect in such countries as England, France and Germany. Senator Jonathan Bourne, jr„ of Ore gon, chairman of the Senate committee on postoffices and post roads, is large ly responsible for the present law, though in all his work, he has been closely affiliated with Postmaster Gen eral Hitchcock. > In reality, the parcels post is not new, rather it is the enlargement of a department of the postofflce that has been in effect since the system itself was started. The fourth class of mail able matter in reality is a very limited parcels post, though it never has been known by that name. Long Been in Demand. The parcels post demand has been before the different congresses for over a score of years. In 1874 the present fourth class for small packages of mer chandise was initiated. At that time, parcels weighing under four pounds were taken for 8 cent—% cent an ounce. After the change, the weight limit of the parcel remained the same and the rate was doubled. There was consid erable objection to that act at the time, and from that dissension has grown the demand for a parcels post, one that would compare favorably with that ef fective in other countries. • In recent years, the committee on postoffices and post roads has held two extended hearings upon the advisibillty of recommending a parcels post. The present law, passed by the 62d con gress, is the result. The law was framed after Senator Bourne had spent many months in gathering data from other countries. Rates are somewhat higher under the parcels post the United States will have than are enjoyed by people in oth er countries. The maximum weight al lowed by the parcels post Is 11 pounds; the same as is allowed by Great Britian, Italy. Chile, New Zealand, Cuba and the Netherlands. Countries that place a higher maximum on the weight are: Germany, 110 pounds; France. 22 pounds; Austria, 110 pounds, and Bel gium, 132 pounds. Civic Leagues Active. The general demand for a parcels post has been urged upon congress for the last 10 years by many civic organ izations having for their purpose the en larging of the scope of the parcels post in America. Among these organiza tions are the Postal Express league, of Boston, and the Parcels Post organiza tion, of New York. The Parcels Ex press league fostered the Bennett rural parcels post bill, presented in 1908 which, in reality, was the first bill to receive serious consideration from the federal law makers. Four hundred years ago the idea of numbering houses originated In Paris, though it was not until 1789 that the system became general that it shows the newest method o: carrying mail—by aeroplane. The four larger stamps picture dif ferent scenes of the country industrla activity. The 25-cent stamp is devoted to agriculture, and shows a farmei at work in his fields. The 50-center depicts dairying. The 76-cent stamp is devoted to manufacturing, showing a long line of factories, with their tow ering smokestacks. The $1 stamp is dedicated to the fruit growing indus try. The postage due stamps are all of the same design, except in the mat ter of numerals. Yr.—-A _ -/~M \ Hoyr**z^m7ysdam /0 V \ eV,At^. / yTA|^ jf _7 W.\ ^ J^:.« / , W^SKT ^ p I POUNDS 1 iyl^1 Jt| <8| WKio|Ml ~ ___M«p thowlng Parcel Pott Zon< Syittm._______ How Parcels Are Insured in Mails y UMTU STATE* MAIL MAJUMC INSURED PARCEL Insurance tage to be used with parcel post system. Upper coupon is to be attached to package. Lower one is sender’s receipt. / -----—-T | ONLY THESE STAMPS WILL BE I ! ACCEPTED ON MAIL PACKAGES BECOMES MISSIONARY . IN WILDS OF INDIA Miss Anna Helena Vreeland, 50 Years of Age, Tackles Bold Undertaking. TASK NOT AN EASY ONE Relatives, Believing Her Insane, Sought to Prevent Sale of Property—Faces Un known Dangers. From the New York World. With all the courage of youth and the fervor of a religious leader. Miss Anna Helena Vreeland, past 60 years of age, has shaken the dust of civiliza tion from her skirts and gone into the wilderness of India, where the message of the Christian religion has never been carried before. She has severed all connection with her for mer life in this country, sold her home at No. 145 Grant avenue, Jersey City, where she had lived for many years, and started to make a place not alone for herself but for all missionaries in a part of India which has been as closed to Christian civilization as Tibet. The courage which has enabled Miss Vreeland to take this step was sorely tried before she was enabled to carry out her intentoin, for her relatives de cided that her desire to sell her prop erty and devote her money and her life to the work of spreading the gos was perverted so that it sounded in sane. I did sing a hymn, and nothing else, but am I to be considered in sane because I believe that my pray ers have been answered? Am I crazy because I want other folks In far off India to hear of my Creator? I should hope not.” order requiring Miss Vreeland to ap pear In court after the report of the physician and the testimony of many business men and others who had dealings with Miss Vreeland, and she was free to depart for India In pur suit of her religious mission. To build the home and carry on the work which she has outlined for the Indian campaign Miss Vreeland has taken with her all the money which she inherited from her father, Nich olas S. Vreeland, amounting to more than $25,000. Miss Vreeland will either buy or rent a house and furnish it on the borders of Faizabad, India. The home will be kept open and maintained for foreign missionaries of any de nomination who care to stop there for a few days’ rest. Missionaries of all denominations will be welcome. In addition to this maintenance of missionaries’ retreat Miss Vreeland purposes to Instruct the natives in the immediate vicinity of the new home in the Christian religion so that they can go further into the interior of Faizabad and make converts, thus paving the way for the Christian mis sionaries from the Occidental coun tries. Miss Vreeland said that Faizabad is ruled by a pagan king, from parts of whose country no missionary has ever returned. There are unknown terri tories so dangerous and unexplored that it seems hopeless to send a white missionary into the fastnesses. But it is thought that where the white mis sionaries cannot go the converted na tives may be able to make their way, and it Is with this thought in view that the home is to be established on the very borders of the wild province. Miss Vreeland does not consider at all the dangers that lie in this life on the borderland of civilization, for she regards the opportunity to spread the gospel as more precious than life It self. The thought that more progress will be made by converting the natives to the Christian doctrines and sending them into the interior than by having white missionaries go is all that re strains the enthusiastic woman from herself undertaking to carry the gospel Into the very heart of darkness. Miss Vreeland has been a missionary all her life, although her efforts to win converts have until now been confined to Jersey City. Her home has always been open to visiting missionaries, and Bhe has often had several of these workers in foreign fields stopping with her at one time. For more than 20 years she was a member and an active worker in the Dutch Reformed church of Jersey City, but about five years ago she became interested in the Pentecostal cult, which was then being expounded with great success by Robert Evans. Miss Vreeland read in the religious papers about the evan gelistic campaign which Evans was conducting with such spectacular suc cess in Wales and became so deeply Interested that she packed up all her belongings and departed for Wales. She spent almost a year in traveling around Wales and England in the wake of the Pentecostal leader. After she returned home to Jersey City the most remarkable religious experience of her life came to Miss Vreeland. One day In her little parlor, In the Grant street house she felt herself to be sud denly enlightened regarding spiritual things. “My eyes were opened to the relig ious side of life as they had never been before,” said Miss Vreeland. ‘T then realized for the first time what my re ligion meant to me.” Until the time of receiving this spir itual revelation Miss Vreeland worship ped at the Bergen Reformed church, which had been founded by her Dutch forefathers 250 years ago. After the Pentecostal doctrine had made Its ap peal to her she set aside all prejudices In regard to doctrine, and has since at tended any church she saw fit. The Same Idea. From Norman E. Mack's National Monthly. “Well, Johnny, what was the text to day?” asked a proud father of his small son who had just returned from church. "Let me fink, favver,” said Johnny, scratching his head in deep thought. “Oh, yes, I remember. It was ‘Don’t be scared, you’ll get your quilts all right.’ ” John's father, after puzzling awhile over this queer text, called up the minister. "Could you tel! me what was this morning’s text, Mr. Jones?” he asked, and was convulsed to hear the reply. “Fear not. the Comforter cometh.” Can’t Be Beat. From Norman E. Mack's National Monthly. Willie's Mother—"Willie, we are go ing out. I want to buy you a pair of trousers.” Willie—“All right.” (As they enter the store they come to a counter with trousers spread upon M.) Mother—“Willie, do you like these?” Willie—"Yes, mother.” (But In the meantime Willie spied * counter with a large sign on which read, “Can’t Be Beat.”) Willie then called hla mother and •aid, “Mother, these are Just the trousers I want, they can’t be beat.*