Mr. Dewey: These are two closely allied questions. Has any one any objection to this Jenkins bill, which, on its face, promises to be so useful to us? I think we can get it, if we work together.
Miss Stearns: If the government admits library books into this country free of duty, why cannot it allow a man to carry a book free on the rural delivery route if he wants to do it? In our state we have people who cannot afford to pay postage on the books; if the mail-carrier is willing, in the goodness of his heart, to take the book to them, why can't it be done? Why should not a book from a free library be sent free? I do not mean from one state to another, but I mean by rural free delivery.
Mr. Brigham: Would you make it optional with the carrier? Why not make it compulsory? You say, "if he wants" to carry the book. Suppose he does not "want" to carry it?
Miss Stearns: I would have it so that he can do it for nothing if he wishes, or he can charge a little for express. The rural mail delivery people have to work hard, and they make but little. Now, the United States government has to employ good men to do this work, so it puts in a premium by allowing them to conduct an express business in connection with it. In order, however, that the government may receive its revenue, it does not allow the carriers to carry any packages under four pounds in weight. What we want is to have that embargo removed for free library books, so that they may carry books weighing a pound or a half pound.
Mr. Brigham: The post-office would probably say that this would interfere with the delivery of the regular mail.
Miss Stearns: If it interferes, then the whole express business interferes. The carriers are doing such a business now for packages about four pounds in weight.
Mr. Dewey: Then all you need to do is to attach a brick to your book and make it weigh over four pounds. Is there any motion before the meeting?
Mr. Brigham: The motion of the gentleman from Illinois has not been disposed of.
Mr. Hostetter: My motion relates to express transportation. Rural delivery is somewhat of an experiment, and it would not reach the case I have in mind. We spend our money for expressage, and we want the express companies to give us a minimum rate.
Mr. Dewey: I rule there is no motion before us until it is repeated.