Transcriber’s Note: obvious printers’ errors have been corrected but the spelling, hyphenation etc. in this book is generally inconsistent, as you might expect from a collection of articles by different authors: the editor did not impose a uniform style.
DEBATERS’ HAND BOOK SERIES
PARCELS POST
DEBATERS’
HANDBOOK SERIES
- Enlargement of the United States Navy (3d ed. rev. and enl.)
- Direct Primaries (3d ed. rev. and enl.)
- Capital Punishment
- Commission Plan of Municipal Government (2d ed. rev. and enl.)
- Election of United States Senators
- Income Tax (2d ed. rev. and enl.)
- Initiative and Referendum (2d ed. rev. and enl.)
- Central Bank of the United States
- Woman Suffrage
- Municipal Ownership
- Child Labor
- Open versus Closed Shop
- Employment of Women
- Federal Control of Interstate Corporations
- Parcels Post
- Other titles in preparation
Each volume, one dollar net
Debaters’ Handbook Series
SELECTED ARTICLES
ON THE
PARCELS POST
COMPILED BY
EDITH M. PHELPS
MINNEAPOLIS
THE H. W. WILSON COMPANY
1911
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The plan of this volume is very similar to that of the others of the series to which it belongs. It contains a brief, a bibliography, and reprints of articles containing the various arguments for and against the parcels post; also, information in regard to the present status of the parcels post in this and other countries. For the convenience of the reader, the articles have been arranged in three main divisions: the General, Affirmative, and Negative Discussions. The bibliography is similarly divided. It is believed that debaters and others wishing material on this subject will find this book both convenient and helpful.
September, 1911.
CONTENTS
| Brief | [ix] |
| Bibliography | |
| Bibliographies | [xiii] |
| General References | [xiii] |
| Affirmative References | [xvi] |
| Negative References | [xix] |
| Introduction | [1] |
| General Discussion | |
| Carr, D. M. Up to Members of Congress | [5] |
| Meyer, George von L. Data Relative to Proposed Extension of Parcels Post | [9] |
| Cowles, James L. Our Postal Express | [16] |
| Walker, Ernest G. From the Boston Herald. Data Relative to Proposed Extension of Parcels Post | [18] |
| Bennet, William S. Post-Office, Our Mutual Express Company | [27] |
| Lewis, David J. System of Postal Express | [32] |
| Barth, Dr. Letter. Hearings before the Committee on the Post-Office and Post Roads | [42] |
| German Parcels Post. Monthly Consular and Trade Reports | [45] |
| Affirmative Discussion | |
| Sulzer, William. Our Postal Express | [49] |
| Rider, Fremont. Parcels Post and the Retailer. World’s Work | [52] |
| Mondell, F. W. Star Routes and Rural Parcels Post. Congressional Record | [58] |
| Bennet, William S. General Deficiency Bill. Congressional Record | [62] |
| Walker, John B. Who Will Be Benefited by a Parcels Post? Cosmopolitan | [72] |
| Stickley, Gustav. More Efficient Postal Service. Craftsman | [78] |
| Parcels Post Once More. Independent | [80] |
| Sulzer, William. People Demand a General Parcels Post | [82] |
| Let Us Have a Parcels Post. Hampton’s | [87] |
| Curtis, Isabel G. Housekeeping by Parcels Post. Good Housekeeping | [92] |
| Miller, George E. Parcels Post. Housekeeper | [94] |
| Negative Discussion | |
| Maxwell, George H. Perils of Parcels Post Extension | [99] |
| Clark, Allan W. Objections to the Parcels Post. Independent | [106] |
| Burrows, Charles W. Further Thoughts on Parcels Post | [108] |
| Burrows, Charles W. One Cent Letter Postage, Second Class Mail Matter, and Parcels Post | [110] |
| Ordway, John A. Parcels Post | [115] |
| Merritt, Albert N. Shall the Scope of Governmental Functions Be Enlarged so as to Include the Express Business? Journal of Political Economy | [122] |
| Parcels Post in England. Parcels Post Problem | [129] |
| Spofford, C. W. A. B. C. of Parcels Post | [130] |
| French, F. E. Parcels Post | [131] |
| Bogardus, W. P. Why Parcels Post Is Not a Good Thing for This Country | [135] |
| Haugen, Gilbert N. Parcels Post and Postal Savings Banks | [138] |
| Smith, S. C. Parcels Post | [140] |
BRIEF
Resolved, That the Federal Government should establish a Parcels Post.
Introduction
I. It has been claimed that
A. Our postal rates on third and fourth class matter are exorbitant as compared with those in foreign countries.
B. Foreign parcels post systems afford many conveniences which we do not have.
II. An extension of our present parcels post system is demanded.
A. Bills providing for it have been presented to Congress.
B. Postmasters-General Wanamaker, Meyer, and others have tried to secure it.
C. It has been recommended in presidential messages, in conventions, by postal officials and by the people.
III. The plan which has received most favorable attention is that of Postmaster-General Meyer, providing for
A. A general parcels post at the rate of 12c a pound, with a limit in weight of eleven pounds.
B. A rural parcels post at the rate of 5c for the first pound, 2c for each additional pound, limit of weight eleven pounds.
Affirmative
The Affirmative is in favor of the Parcels Post, for
I. The United States government would benefit financially.
A. The receipts from the increased volume of business would more than repay the loss from the reduction in rate.
B. Increased receipts from rural routes would be clear profit.
1. Rural routes are already equipped for this service.
C. If the post with foreign countries pays now, the government ought to make a profit from a similar domestic service.
II. The general public would benefit by this service.
A. Present transportation charges would be reduced.
1. The express companies would have to reduce rates.
B. Greater convenience in sending merchandise would result.
1. The express companies would have to improve service.
C. The cost of living would be reduced.
III. Rural communities would be benefited.
A. The local dealer would profit.
1. He could do a larger business with less expense, and with increased facilities for delivery.
2. He could meet the competition of mail-order houses and city merchants.
B. Country towns and villages would have cheap transportation which is so essential for favorable growth.
C. The parcels post would turn the tide of civilization from the cities back to the land.
D. The farmer would be benefitted.
1. He would save time and expense in driving to market.
2. He could have more of the comforts and conveniences of city life.
3. He would have better market facilities for his products.
IV. A parcels post would not be class legislation.
A. Mail-order houses and city department stores would not benefit unduly.
B. Express companies would not be seriously injured.
1. Their present rates are excessive.
V. The parcels post has been successful in other countries and is practicable.
A. It has paid
1. Financially.
2. In comfort and convenience.
B. In nearly every country the rates are lower than in the United States and the limit in weight is much higher.
Negative
The Negative is opposed to the Parcels Post, for
I. The present postal deficit would be increased rather than diminished.
A. The cost of the increased service would not be covered by the increased traffic.
1. The government cannot compete successfully with the express companies.
2. There would be a continual demand for more and better equipment.
3. Government undertakings are always more costly than those under private management.
B. The inconsistencies between our present foreign and domestic rates are not as great as has been claimed.
II. The general public would not be benefitted by it.
A. It would have little influence on express rates.
B. It would increase the centralization of wealth, population, and manufactures.
C. The demand for it has been artificially created.
III. Rural communities would be injured by it.
A. Retailers and local dealers would suffer.
1. Orders would be sent direct to manufacturing centers.
2. Mail-order houses would obtain most of the trade.
B. Rural towns and villages would be injured.
1. Trade would be drawn to the larger cities and population would follow.
C. The farmer would not be benefitted.
1. He would not use it nearly as much as has been claimed.
2. The market for his products would be largely destroyed by the removal of population to large cities.
3. The rural parcels post alone would be merely an entering wedge.
IV. Legislation for a parcels post would be discriminating and unnecessary.
A. Dealers, wholesalers and jobbers in heavy merchandise could not use it.
B. Mail-order houses and department stores would benefit at the expense of the retailers and consumers.
C. The Interstate Commerce Commission already has the power to correct excessive express rates.
D. The rural post alone would increase the business of the express companies.
V. That the parcels post is in operation in foreign countries at very low rates and high weight-limits is no argument for its extension in the United States.
A. Conditions vary so widely.
1. Distances are greater in the United States.
2. The population is more scattered.
3. The railroads are privately owned, and the government must pay heavy rates for service.
B. It is claimed that the system is run at a loss in England and Germany.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
An asterisk (*) preceding a reference indicates that the entire article or a part of it has been reprinted in this volume.
Bibliographies
Kansas. State University. Extension Division. Bulletin. Vol. XI. No. 10. July, 1910. Kansas High School Debating League, Announcements, 1910-1911. pp. 26-8.
United States. Library of Congress—Division of Bibliography. Select List of References on the Parcels Post. 5p. Typewritten. 15c. Supt. of Doc.
Virginia. Dep’t of Public Instruction, State University, and the Co-Operative Education Ass’n. Bulletin. Ser. I. No. 3. March, 1911. Parcels Post. pp. 18-21.
Wisconsin. State University. Extension Division. Bulletin. Ser. No. 204: Extension Ser. No. 18. March, 1908. Parcels Post. pa. 5c.
General References
Books, Pamphlets and Documents
Bennet, William S. Freight, Passenger and Intelligence Post: The Public Need. 14p. pa. Govt. Ptg. Office.
Address William S. Bennet, Representative, Washington, D. C.
*Bennet, William S. Post-Office, Our Mutual Express Company: Speech in the House of Representatives, May 13, 1909. 8p. pa. Govt. Ptg. Office.
Reprinted from the Congressional Record. 44: 5174-6. Ag. 5, 09. [Address William S. Bennet, Representative, Washington, D. C.]
*Carr, D. M. Up to Members of Congress. 8p. pa. March, 1908.
Address D. M. Carr, Editor “The Winning West,” Omaha, Nebr.
Congressional Record. 32: Appendix. 208-10. F. 21, ’99. United States Parcels Post. James L. Cowles.
Printed in connection with a speech by Senator Butler, in the Senate, F. 20-21, ’99.
Congressional Record. 43: 1866-8. F. 4, ’09. Parcels Post System.
Cowles, James L. General Freight and Passenger Post: Practical Solution of the Railroad Problem. G. P. Putnam’s Sons, New York. 1898.
*Cowles, James L. Our Postal Express. 2p. Postal Progress League.
Address the Postal Progress League, 125 E. 23rd St., New York City.
*Lewis, David J. System of Postal Express to Include Both Country Merchants and Farmers: Speech in the House of Representatives, June 8, 1911. 32p. pa.
Reprinted from the Hearings before Sub-Committee No. 4, of the Committee on the Post-Office and Post-Roads, June, 1911. pp. 10-38, 48-52. [Address David J. Lewis, Representative, Washington, D. C.]
Monthly Consular and Trade Reports. No. 326. p. 37. N. ’07. Parcels Post from United States. Govt. Ptg. Office.
*Monthly Consular and Trade Reports. No. 329. pp. 104-6. F. ’08. German Parcels Post. Govt. Ptg. Office.
Monthly Consular and Trade Reports. No. 334. p. 192. Jl. ’08. Parcels Post from United States. Govt. Ptg. Office.
Monthly Consular and Trade Reports. No. 335: 179-80. Ag. ’08. Parcels Post.
Monthly Consular and Trade Reports. No. 357. Je. ’10. pp. 109-11. Parcels Post. Germany and Australia. Govt. Ptg. Office.
Postal Progress. 1907-1911. Post Office: The Minister of Peace. 4p. Postal Progress League.
Address the Postal Progress League, 125 E. 23d St., New York City.
*United States. Congress, House of Representatives. Parcels Post: Hearings before the Committee on the Postoffice and Post Roads. April 20-29, 1910, 322p. pa. 25c. Supt. of Doc.
Recommended for purchase.
United States. Congress. House of Representatives. Parcels Post: Hearings before Sub-Committee No. 4 of the Committee on the Postoffice and Post Roads, June, 1911, 390p. pa. Supt. of Doc.
Recommended for purchase.
*United States. Post-Office Dep’t. Data Relative to Proposed Extension of Parcel Post. (60th Cong., 1st Sess., Senate. Doc. 366.) 15p. ’08. Govt. Ptg. Office.
Reprinted from the Congressional Record. 42: 3041-5. Mr. 6, ’08.
World Almanac, 1911. Postal Information, pp. 99-105.
A summary of the present governmental regulations respecting foreign and domestic mails.
Magazine Articles
Arena. 34: 113-9. Ag. ’05. European Parcels-Post. J. Henniker Heaton.
Reprinted in condensed form in the Review of Reviews. 32: 345-6. S. ’05.
Bulletin. Pan American Union. 32: 365-8. F. ’11. Parcels Post Convention between the United States and Haiti.
Contains the text of the convention adopted by Haiti and the United States in 1910.
Catholic World. 81: 353-61. Je. ’05. Parcel-Post System of Germany. J. C. Monaghan.
Chautauquan. 64: 7-8. S. ’11. Parcels Post Next.
Cosmopolitan. 35: 3-10. My. ’03. Governmental Parcel-Post in Great Britain. J. Henniker Heaton.
Cosmopolitan. 36: 217*-19*. Ap. ’04. Postal Parcels Delivery One Cent a Pound. John B. Walker.
Dun’s Review. 14: 12-4. F. 24, ’06. Parcels-Post System of Germany. J. C. Monaghan.
Reprinted in the Hearings before Subcommittee No. 4 of the Committee on the Post-Office and Post-Roads, House of Representatives, June, 1911. pp. 70-3.
Nineteenth Century. 25: 894-901. Je. ’89. Agricultural Parcels Post. Henry P. Dunster.
Nineteenth Century. 54: 981-4. D. ’03. Cash on Delivery, or Shopping by Post. J. Henniker Heaton.
Arguments for and against the extension of the parcels post system in England to admit the cash on delivery feature.
North American. 187: 330-6. Mr. ’08. Parcels Post. George von L. Meyer.
Outlook. 72: 147-8. S. 20, ’02. Cheap Parcels Post from England.
Outlook. 79: 148. Ja. 14, ’05. Comparison of Postal Rates. James L. Cowles.
Postal Progress. Vol. I. No. 6. pp. 1-4. Ag. ’07. Common One-Cent-a-Pound Postal Rate. James L. Cowles.
Clippings from American Industries, June 15, 1907, and Iron Age, July 4, 1907, form a part of the article.
Scientific American. 98: 455. Je. 27, ’08. Reduction of Foreign Parcel Postal Rates.
Scientific American Supplement. 48: 20008. D. 2, ’99. Parcels Post Exchanges with Germany.
Survey. 25: 121-2. O. 22, ’10. Parcels Post Made in Germany.
Affirmative References
Pamphlets and Documents
Congressional Record. 42: 3081-4. Mr. 7, ’08. Post-Office Appropriation Bill: Speech in the House of Representatives, March 3, 1908. James M. Griggs.
Congressional Record. 42: 6567-8. My. 15, ’08. Special Parcels Post. George von L. Meyer.
Congressional Record. 45: 2958-9. Mr. 8, ’10. Amendment for the Parcels Post. Mr. Hardwick.
Congressional Record. 45: 3223-4. Mr. 14, ’10. Extension of Parcels Post: Letter to John M. Stahl. George von L. Meyer.
Congressional Record. 45: 9310-4. Je. 24. ’10. General Deficiency Bill: Speech in the House of Representatives, June 21, 1910. William S. Bennet.
Reprinted in the Congressional Record. 45: Appendix 382-6.
Congressional Record. 46: 1243-5. Ja. 21, ’11. Proposed Parcels Post: Speech in the House of Representatives, January 17, 1911. Ralph W. Moss.
Congressional Record. 46: 1273-6. Ja. 21, ’11. Limited Parcels Post.
Congressional Record. 46: 1443-5. Ja. 25, ’11. Why the People Favor a General Parcels Post: Speech in the House of Representatives, January 17, 1911. William Sulzer.
Congressional Record. 46: 1881. F. 2, ’11. Resolution Adopted by Nebraska Farmer’s Congress in Favor of Parcels Post.
*Congressional Record. 46: 1941-7. F. 3, ’11. Star Routes and Rural Parcels Post: Speech in the House of Representatives, January 19, 1911. F. W. Mondell.
Congressional Record. 46: 2773-4. F. 9, ’11. Parcels Post: Speech in the House of Representatives. Ralph W. Moss.
Consists mostly of quotations from the Price Current and other trade journals.
Meyer, George von L. Address at the Banquet of the New England Postmasters, October 12, 1907. 14p. pa. Govt. Ptg. Office.
*Sulzer, William. Our Postal Express: Speech in the House of Representatives, June 9, 1910. 8p. pa. Govt. Ptg. Office.
Reprinted from the Congressional Record. 45: 8287-97. Je. 15, ’10. [Address William Sulzer, Representative, Washington, D. C.]
*Sulzer, William. People Demand a General Parcels Post: Speech in the House of Representatives, February 6, 1911. 15p. pa. Govt. Ptg. Office.
Reprinted from the Congressional Record. 46: 2094-7. F. 6, ’11. [Apply to William Sulzer, Representative, Washington, D. C.]
United States. Post Office Dep’t. Annual Report of the Postmaster General. 1907. pp. 9-11. Extension of the Parcel Post. 10c. Supt. of Doc.
Magazine Articles
Arena. 23: 103-6. Ja. ’00. Needed Postal Reform. Louis E. Guillow.
Arena. 35: 212-3. F. ’06. England’s Magnificent Postal-Service Record.
Arena. 37: 308-9. Mr. ’07. Postal Service in Japan.
Cosmopolitan. 36: 379*-81*. F. ’04. Aid Which the Post Office Department Might Render to Commerce. John B. Walker.
*Cosmopolitan. 36: 497*-9*. Mr. ’04. Who Will Be Benefited by a Parcels Post? John B. Walker.
*Craftsman. 14: 592-4. S. ’08. More Efficient Postal Service. Gustav Stickley.
*Good Housekeeping. 53: 2-10. Jl. ’11. Housekeeping by Parcels Post. Isabel G. Curtis.
*Hampton’s. 26: 261-4. F. ’11. Let Us Have a Parcels Post.
*Housekeeper. 31: 11-35. Ag. ’08. Parcels Post. George E. Miller.
Independent. 53: 2607-8. O. 31, ’01. Parcels Post.
Independent. 56: 306-9. F. 11, ’04. Post Office, Our Mutual Transportation Company. James L. Cowles.
Independent. 63: 1185-7. N. 14, ’07. Parcels Post.
Independent. 67: 986-7. O. 28, ’09. It Must Come.
*Independent. 70: 105-7. Ja. 12, ’11. Parcels Post Once More.
Nation. 90: 345. Ap. 7, ’10. For a Parcels-Post. Reuben G. Thwaites.
Nineteenth Century. 53: 253-63. F. ’03. Agricultural Parcel Post. J. Henniker Heaton.
Outlook. 90: 801-2. D. 12, ’08. Postal Deficit and a Rural Parcel Post.
Outlook. 96: 567. N. 12, ’10. Express Monopoly versus a Parcels Post.
Postal Progress. Vol. I. No. 4. pp. 1-2. Ap. 1, ’07. Foreign Parcels Post Necessary.
Scientific American. 102: 274. Ap. 2, ’10. Need of an Improved Parcels Post.
World’s Work. 21: 13978-86. F. ’11. Post-Office: An Obstructive Monopoly. Don G. Seitz.
*World’s Work. 21: 14248-51. Ap. ’11. Parcels Post and the Retailer. Fremont Rider.
Negative References
Pamphlets and Documents
*Bogardus, W. P. Why Parcels Post Is Not a Good Thing for This Country. 8p. pa. Iowa Retail Hardware Ass’n.
Address A. R. Sale, Iowa Retail Hardware Association, Mason City, Iowa.
*Burrows, Charles W. Further Thoughts on Parcels Post: With an Examination of Postmaster-General Meyer’s Recommendations. 19p. pa.
Address Charles W. Burrows, 633 Euclid Av., Cleveland, Ohio.
*Burrows, Charles W. One Cent Letter Postage, Second Class Mail Rates, and Parcels Post: Address Delivered before the National Hardware Ass’n, March 30, 1911. pp. 11-25.
Address Charles W. Burrows, 633 Euclid Av., Cleveland, Ohio.
Congressional Record. 40: 3476-82. Mr. 7, ’06. Parcels Post: Speech in the House of Representatives. Gilbert N. Haugen.
*French, F. E. Parcels Post: Address before the Southern Merchant’s Ass’n, Nashville, Tenn., February 28-March 3, 1911. Leaflet No. 8. 15p. pa. American League of Associations.
Address the American League of Associations, Room 343, Rand-McNally Bldg., Chicago, Ill.
*Haugen, Gilbert N. Parcels Post and Postal Savings Banks: Speech in the House of Representatives, March 13, 1908. 8p. pa. Govt. Ptg. Office.
Reprinted from the Congressional Record. 42: 3548-51. Mr. 17, ’08. [Address Gilbert N. Haugen, Representative, Washington, D. C.]
Hutsinpillar, C. A. Parcels Post: Address Delivered before the Annual Convention of the Ohio Hardware Ass’n, February 23, 1904, 3p. pa. gratis.
Address C. A. Hutsinpillar, Ironton, Ohio.
*Maxwell, George H. Perils of Parcels Post Extension. Leaflet No. 7. 35p. pa. American League of Associations.
Reprinted in the Hearings before the Committee on the Post-Office and Post-Roads, April 20-29, 1910. [Address American League of Associations, Room 343, Rand-McNally Bldg., Chicago, Ill.]
Menace of a Parcels Post. 40p. pa.
Address S. R. Miles, Mason City, Iowa.
Miles, S. R. Extracts from an Address Delivered before the Federated Commercial Clubs of Minnesota, January 17, 1908. 14p. pa.
Address S. R. Miles, President, National Retail Hardware Dealers Ass’n, Mason City, Iowa.
*Ordway, John A. Parcels Post: Address before the New England Drygoods Ass’n, March, 1911. Leaflet No. 9. 15p. pa. American League of Associations.
Address the American League of Associations, Room 343, Rand-McNally Bldg., Chicago, Ill.
Parcels Post: from the Standpoint of an Iowa Editor. Parcels Post Circular No. 3, Series 1911. 4p. pa. Iowa Retail Hardware Association.
Address A. R. Sale, Iowa Retail Hardware Ass’n, Mason City, Iowa.
*Parcels Post Problem: From the Standpoint of the Towns and Small Cities. 30p. pa. National Hardware Bulletin.
Address M. L. Corey, Secretary, National Retail Hardware Association, Argos, Ind.
Shall the Country Towns Be Destroyed by a Local Rural Parcels Post. Pamphlet No. 5. Home Advancement Series. 30p. pa. American League of Associations.
Most of this pamphlet is a reprint of pp. 274-96 of the Report of the Hearings before the Committee on the Post-Office and Post-Roads, April, 1910. [Apply to M. L. Corey, Argos, Ind.]
*Smith, S. C. Parcels Post: Speech in the House of Representatives, March 3, 1908. 15p. pa. ’08. Govt. Ptg. Office.
Reprinted from the Congressional Record. 42: 2928-31. Mr. 3, ’08. [Address S. C. Smith, Representative, Washington, D. C.]
Spofford, C. W. A. B. C. of Parcels Post; A. Catechism, 11p. pa.
Trans-Mississippi Commercial Congress, Proceedings, 1907. pp. 232-40. Parcels Post.
Magazine References
*Independent. 70: 72-3. Ja. 12, ’11. Objections to the Parcels Post. Allan W. Clark.
Independent. 70: 185. Ja. 26, ’11. Parcels Post Again. Sylvester C. Smith.
*Journal of Political Economy. 16: 417-35. Jl. ’08. Shall the Scope of Governmental Functions Be Enlarged so as to Include the Express Business? Albert N. Merritt.
North American Review. 174: 807-19. Je. ’02. Defects and Abuses in Our Postal System. Henry A. Castle.
Parcels Post. pp. 812-4.
North American Review. 178: 222-34. F. ’04. Postal Service. E. F. Loud.
Parcels Post. pp. 224-6.
Outlook. 96: 794. D. 3, ’10. Parcels Post. George P. Engelhard.