The bills introduced, respectively by Senators Burnham and Kean, are in perfect harmony with the recommendations of the postmaster-general.
With the diversion of small packages from the express companies to the mails, the revenues to the postoffice department would be proportionately greater than the increased cost occasioned by the greater tonnage of matter carried.
During the past fiscal year, the expense of maintaining the rural delivery routes was in excess of $26,000,000. The installation of a parcels delivery over the rural routes would most likely during the first year place the rural delivery on a self-sustaining basis. There are 38,253 rural routes. Should each carrier over a route on his daily trip carry only 88 pounds of merchandise from the local stores to the patrons on his route, it would give the government a revenue of approximately $24,000,000 annually, and this service can be performed without other carrying equipment than rural carriers now have.
When every phase of the recommendations of Postmaster-General Meyer be carefully weighed, it becomes apparent that his plans are based upon soundest business judgment.
Opposition to Mr. Meyer’s recommendations comes from three sources, namely:
Large manufacturers, jobbers and other classes of business men who annually spend enormous amounts for letter postage.
Country merchants who are unduly alarmed over the growth of the catalogue houses, and who fear that a parcels post extension will increase the mail order business to their detriment.
Express companies, whose revenues would be decreased by operation of the system.