POSTAL INFORMATION—Continued,

identical pieces. For information concerning the regulations governing such mailings inquiry should be made of the postmaster.

Registration-All kinds of postal matter may be registered at the rate of ten cents for each package in addition to the regular rates of postage, to be fully prepaid by stamps. Each package must bear the name and address of the sender, and a receipt will be returned from the person to whom addressed, when indorsed receipt desired," or words of similar import. Mail matter can be registered at all post-offices in the United States.

An indemnity-not to exceed 850 for any one registered piece, or the actual value of the piece, if It is less than $50-shall be paid for the loss of first-class registered matter mailed at and addressed to a United States post office, and an indemnity not to exceed $25 is paid for domestic third and fourth class matter. The limit of indemnity paid for registered articles lost in the International mails s 50 francs.

Domestic Money Orders-Domestic money orders are issued by money-order post-offices for any amount up to $100, at the following rates:

For sums not exceeding $2.50, 3 cents; over $2.50 to $5, 5 cents; over $5 to $10, 8 cents; over $10 to $20, 10 cents; over $20 to $30, 12 cents; over $30 to $40, 15 cents; over $40 to $50, 18 cents; over $50 to $60, 20 cents; over $60 to $75, 25 cents; over $75 to $100, 30 cents.

Stamped Envelopes-Embossed stamped envelopes and newspaper wrappers of several denominations, sizes and colors are kept on sale at post-offices, singly or in quantities, at a small advance on the postage rate. Stamps cut from stamped envelopes are valueless, but postmasters are authorized to give good stamps for stamped envelopes or newspaper wrappers that may be spoiled in directing, if presented in a substantially whole condition.

Unmailable Matter-Unmailable domestic matter-that is, matter which is not admissible to the United States mails for delivery in the United States or in any of its possessions-includes: 1. All matter illegibly, incorrectly, or insufficiently addressed.

2. All second-class matter and all matter of the third or fourth class not wholly prepaid; and letters and other first-class matter not prepaid one full rate-2 cents.

3. All matter weighing over four pounds, except second-class matter, single books, official matter emanating from the Executive Departments and documents printed and circulated by authority of Congress.

4. All matter harmful in its nature, as poisons, explosive or inflammable articles, matches; live or dead (but not stuffed) animals, and reptiles, guano, or any article exhaling a bad odor, vinous. spirituous or malt liquors, and liquids liable to explosion, spontaneous combustion, or ignition by shock or jar, such as kerosene oil, naphtha, benzine, etc.

5. All Indecent, obscene, lewd, lascivious or filthy matter, and every article or thing intended, designed, or adapted for any indecent or immoral purpose, or for the prevention of conception or procuring abortion, or for any indecent or immoral use.

6. Postal, post, or other cards mailed without wrappers and all matter bearing upon the outside cover or wrapper any delineations, epithets, terms, or language of an indecent, lewd, lascivious, obscene, libelous, scurrilous, defamatory or threatening character, or calculated by the terms or manner or style of display, and obviously intended to refleat injuriously upon the character or conduct of another. Dunning postal or post cards are included in this class.

7. Post cards, bearing particles of glass, metal, mica, sand, tinsel, or other similar substances, are unmailable, except as provided under First-Class Matter."

8. All matter concerning any lottery, gift, enterprise, or similar scheme, offering prizes dependent in whole or in part upon lot or chance, or concerning schemes devised for the purpose of obtaining money or property under false pretences.

Applications for the establishment of post-offices should be addressed to the First Assistant Postmaster-General, accompanied by a statement of the necessity therefor. Instructions will then be given and blanks furnished to enable the petitioners to provide the department with the necessary information.

The franking privilege was abolished July 1, 1873, but the following mail matter may be sent free by legislative saving clauses, viz.:

1. All public documents printed by order of Congress, the Congressional Record and speeches contained therein, franked by Members of Congress, or the Secretary of the Senate, or Clerk of the House. 2. Seeds transmitted by the Secretary of Agriculture, or by any Member of Congress, procured from that Department.

3. Letters and packages relating exclusively to the business of the Government of the United States, mailed only by officers of the same, and letters and parcels mailed by the Smithsonian Institution. All these must be covered by specially printed "penalty" envelopes or labels.

4. The Vice-President, Members and Members-elect and Delegates and Delegates-elect to Congress may frank any mail matter to any Government official or to any person correspondence, not over four ounces in weight, upon official or departmental business.

All communications to Government officers and to Members of Congress are required to be prepaid by stamps unless inclosed in penalty envelopes furnished for replies.

Suggestions to the Public-Mail all letters, etc., as early as practicable, especially when sent in large numbers, as is frequently the case with newspapers and circulars.

All mail matter at large post-offices is necessarily handled in great haste and should therefore in all cases be so PLAINLY addressed as to leave NO ROOM FOR DOUBT AND NO EXCUSE FOR ERROR on the part of postal employés. Names of States should be written in full (or their abbreviations very distinctly written) in order to prevent errors which arise from the similarity of such abbreviations as Cal., Col. Pa., Va., Vt.; Me., Mo., Md. Ioa., Ind.; N. H., N. M., N. Y., N. J., N. C., D. C.; Miss., Minn., Mass.; Nev., Neb.; Penn.. Tenn., etc., when hastily or carelessly written. This is especially necessary in addressing mail matter to places of which the names are borne by several post-offices in different States.

Avold as much as possible using envelopes made of flimsy paper, especially where more than one sheet of paper, or any other article than paper, is inclosed. Being often handled, and even in the mailbags subject to pressure, such envelopes not infrequently split open, giving cause of complaint.

Never send money or any other article of value through the mail except either by means of a money order or in a registered letter. Any person who sends nioney or jewelry in an unregistered letter not only runs a risk of losing his property, but exposes to temptation every one through whose hands his letter passes, and may be the means of ultimately bringing some clerk or letter-carrier to ruin.

See that every letter or package bears the full name and post-office address of the writer, in order to secure the return of the letter, if the person to whom it is directed cannot be found. A much larger portion of the undelivered letters could be returned if the names and addresses of the senders were

112

Foreign Mails.

POSTAL INFORMATION-Continued.

always fully and plainly written or printed inside or on the envelopes. Persons who have large correspondence find it most convenient to use "special request envelopes;" but those who only mail an occasional letter can avoid much trouble by writing a request to return if not delivered," etc., on the envelope.

When dropping a letter, newspaper, etc., into a street mailing-box, or into the receptacle at a post-office, always see that the packet falls into the box and does not stick in its passage; observe, also, particularly, whether the postage stamps remain securely in their places.

matter.

Postage stamps should be placed on the upper right-hand corner of the address side of all mail The street and number (or box number) should form a part of the address of all mail matter directed to cities. In most cities there are many persons, and even firms, bearing the same name. Before depositing any package or other article for mailing, the sender should assure himself that it is wrapped and packed in the manner prescribed by postal regulations; that it does not contain unmailable matter nor exceed the limit of weight as fixed by law; and that it is fully prepaid and properly addressed. It is unlawful to send an ordinary letter by express or otherwise outside of the mails unless it be Inclosed in a Government-stamped envelope of sufficient value to pay the postage to which it is subject. It is also unlawful to inclose a letter in an express package unless it pertains wholly to the contents of the package.

It is forbidden by the regulations of the Post-Office Department for postmasters to give to any person information concerning the mail matter of another, or to disclose the name of a box-holder at a post-office.

Letters addressed to persons temporarily sojourning in a city where the Free Delivery System is in operation should be marked Transient * or **General Delivery,'' if not addressed to a street and number or some other designated place of delivery.

Foreign books, etc., infringing United States copyright are undeliverable if received in foreign malls, or mailed here.

The foregoing rates, rules, and suggestions apply to postal matters in the United States.

Foreign Mails.

POSTAGE RATES AND CONDITIONS.

THE rates of postage to all foreign countries and colonies are as follows:

Letters..

........first ounce or less, 5 cents; each additional ounce Postal cards, each. Newspapers and other printed matter, per 2 ounces... Commercial papers (such as legal and insurance (Packets not in excess of 10 ounces.. papers, deeds, bills of lading, invoices, Packets in excess of 10 ounces, for each 2 manuscript for publication, etc.).......... ounces or fraction thereof.... f Packets not in excess of 4 ounces. Samples of merchandise. Packets in excess of 4 ounces, for each 2 ounces or fraction thereof Registration fee on letters or other articles...

3 cents.

2 cents.

1 cent.

5 cents.

1 cent. 2 cents. 1 cent.

10 cents.

On printed matter and commercial papers the limit of weight is 4 pounds 6 ounces, except that single volumes of books to Salvador, Canada, Mexico, Cuba, and Panama, are unrestricted as to weight. Size-The limit of size is 18 inches in any one direction, except that printed matter or commercial papers in rolls may be 30 inches long by 4 inches in diameter.

Ordinary letters for countries of the Postal Union (except Canada and Mexico) will be forwarded. whether any postage is prepaid on them or not. All other mailable matter must be prepaid at least partially. Domestic rates apply to matter for Porto Rico, Guam, Philippine Islands, Cuba, Canal Zone," Republic of Panama, Tutuila, Hawaii, Shanghai City, U. S. Naval Vessels and officers and men of the U. 8 Navy in the U. B. Naval Hospital, Yokohama, Japan.

EXCEPTIONS.

GREAT BRITAIN AND IRELAND AND NEWFOUNDLAND. The rate on Letters for these countries is two cents for each ounce or fraction. The Postal Union rates apply to postal cards, post cards, printed matter, commercial papers and samples.

GERMANY.

The postage rate on Letters for Germany by direct ocean transportation is two cents an ounce. Letters paid at the two-cent rate are despatched only by steamers able to land the mails at a German port. Letters paid at the Postal Union rate are despatched by the quickest route.

A fast steamer sailing for Germany via Plymouth and Cherbourg carries letters for Germany prepaid at the Postal Union rate and at the two-cent rate-the letters paid at the five-cent (Postal Union) rate are landed at Plymouth (the quickest route), whereas the letters paid at the two-cent rate are carried through to Germany by the Transatlantic steamer.

The Postal Union rates apply to postal cards, post cards, printed matter, commercial papers and samples regardless of the route by which sent, also to Letters despatched via England and France.

CANADA.

Matter mailed in the United States addressed to Canada is subject to the same postage rates and conditions as it would be if it were addressed for delivery in the United States, except that plants, seeds, etc., are subject to the postage rate of one cent an ounce; that prints commercial papers and samples of merchandise are transmissible at the Postal Union postage rates and conditions. Goods and merchandise (fourth-class matter), not samples, may be sent in unsealed packages, not over 4 pounds in weight, for one cent per ounce. There is no limit of weight to single volumes of printed books or packages of second-class matter. Sealed articles, other than letters in their usual and ordinary form, are unmailable.

All articles, except the reply half of double postal cards, must be fully prepaid with postage stamps at the rate of postage applicable to similar articles in the domestic mails of this country, and are required to be delivered free of postage to addressees, except that letters upon which only one rate of postage has been prepaid are required to be forwarded, any deficiency being collected on delivery. Any article of correspondence may be registered. Packages of merchandise are subject to the regulations of either country to prevent violations of the revenue laws; must not be closed against inspection, and must be so wrapped and inclosed as to be easily examined. Samples must not exceed 12 ounces in weight.

Advertising circulars are liable to a specific customs duty at the rate of 15 cents per pound, which duty Canadian customs officials are required to collect when such pamphlets arrive by mail, even

FOREIGN MAILS-Continued.

though each pamphlet bears a different address. But bona-fde trade catalogues and price lists of goods for wholesale, not exceeding three to any one address, are admitted free of customs duty. Almanacs, advertising periodicals and printed matter designed to advertise the sale of goods by any person in Canada are not included in the exemption from duty granted to "bona-fide trade catalogues" and price lists." Only bona-fide trade catalogues and price lists of goods for wholesale in any country beyond the limits of Canada, and not exceeding three to one address, are admitted free of duty.

CUBA AND PANAMA.

Matter for Cuba and the Republic of Panama is mailable at the same rates of postage and under the same conditions as it would be if addressed for delivery in the United States, except that **samples" and commercial papers" may be sent subject to the Postal Union postage rates and conditions; that articles, other than letters in their usual and ordinary form, must be so wrapped or inclosed that the contents may be readily and thoroughly examined; that packages-except single volumes of printed books-must not exceed 4 pounds 6 ounces in weight, and that (in addition to other prohibited articles) liquids (except samples thereof) fatty substances and those which easily liquefy are unmailable.

Letters and post cards must be despatched even if they do not bear any postage stamps. Other articles must be prepaid at least in part. Postage due on short-paid matter will be collected from the addressees on delivery.

MEXICO.

Matter mailed in the United States addressed to Mexico is subject to the same postage rates and conditions as it would be if it were addressed for delivery in the United States, except that articles of miscellaneous merchandise (fourth-class matter) other than liquids, not sent as bona-fide trade samples should be sent by" Parcels Post;" and that prints commercial papers and bona-fide trade samples are transmissible in the regular mails at the Postal Union postage rate and conditions. Limit of weight for commercial papers and printed matter, 4 pounds 6 ounces, except single volumes of printed books, to which no limit is fixed. Articles, other than letters in their usual and ordinary form, must be so wrapped that the contents can be easily examined.

Matter addressed to Mexico must, in all cases, bear as part of the address the name of the State in which the city own is located. For example, Acapulco, Guerrero, Mexico; not Acapulco, Mexico. U. S. NAVAL VESSELS.

Mail matter for officers or members of the crew of United States vessels of war stationed abroad is subject to domestic postage rates and conditions. Articles should be addressed U. S. S. (name of vessel), care of Postmaster, New York, N. Y.'' and be fully prepaid. Mail so addressed will be forwarded to the vessels. Express packages will not be received at the post-office unless they conform to the Postal Regulations and are placed in the mail with the postage properly prepaid.

SHANGHAI, CHINA.

Domestic postage rates and conditions apply to articles addressed for delivery in the city of Shanghai, but for other places in China the Universal Postal Union (foreign) rates apply.

SAMPLES OF MERCHANDISE

must be bona-fide trade samples without any salable value. Wrapping-Samples of merchandise must be wrapped so that the contents may be easily examined without injury to wrappers. Permissible Writing-They must bear no writing except the name or the social position of the sender, a manufacturer's or trade mark, numbers, prices and indications relating to the weight, size, dimensions and quantity to be disposed of, and words which are necessary to precisely indicate the origin and nature of the merchandise. Weight-Packages of samples must not exceed 12 ounces in weight. Size-The size must not exceed 12 inches in length, 8 inches in breadth, and 4 inches in depth, except when in the form of a roll, they may be 12 inches in length and 6 inches in diameter. Postage-The postage on samples is 2 cents for the first 4 ounces or less, and 1 cent for each additional 2 ounces or fraction of 2 ounces. Register all valuable articles. Registration fee 10 cents. PARCELS POST.

Postage, 12 cents a pound or fraction thereof; greatest length (unless specially noted below), 8 feet 6 inches; greatest length and girth combined (unless specially noted below), 6 feet; limit of weight (unless specially noted below), 11 pounds; value (unless specially noted below), not limited; registration fee. 10 cents.

Unsealed packages of mailable merchandise may be sent by Parcels Post to Dutch Guiana (parcels cannot be registered. See'item" Customs Declarations"). Uruguay (parcels cannot be registered). See item "Customs Declarations,") Hungary, Bermuda, Jamaica, including Cayman Islands, Turks Island, including Caicos Islands, Barbadoes (parcels cannot be registered), the Bahamas, British Honduras, Mexico (limit of size, 2 feet in length, 4 feet in girth; limit of weight for places named in "Postal Guide." 11 pounds; for other places, 4 pounds 6 ounces), Leeward Islands (Antigua, Anguilla, Barbuda, Dominica, Montserrat, Nevis, Redonda, St. Kitts and the Virgin Islands), Colombia (limit of size, 2 feet in length, 4 feet in girth), Costa Rica, Salvador, (see item Customs Declarations, "') British Guiana, Danish West Indies (St. Croix, St. John and St. Thomas), and the Windward Islands (Grenada, Grenadines, St. Lucia, and St. Vincent), Trinidad, including Tobago; Venezuela (see item Customs Declarations,'') Bolivia, Ecuador (parcels must not exceed $50 in value), Peru and Chile, Newfoundland, Honduras (Republic of), Germany; Italy, including: Erythrea, Benadir, Bengazi and Tripoli in Tripoli (Barbary) and Republic of San Marino, Netherlands (parcels cannot, e registered. See item "Customs Declarations'), New Zealand, including Cook and Fanning Islands; Nicaragua, Guatemala, Norway, Japan including Formosa, Karafuto (Japanese Saghalien), and Korea (parcels must not exceed $80 in value), Hongkong, including Kowloon, Austria, Belgium, France, excluding Algeria and Corsica (parcels cannot be registered (see item "Customs Declarations''), Great Britain and Ireland (parcels cannot be registered), Australia, including Tasmania Denmark, Sweden (parcels must not exceed $80 in value), China, the following places only: Amoy, Canton, Changsha, Cheefoo. Chingkiang, Foochow Wang, Ningpo, Shanghai, Shanghaikwan, Shasi, Hangchow, Hankow, Hoihao (Hoihow), Hongkong, Kingiang, Liu Kung Tau, Nanking, Soochow, Swatow, Peking, Tientsin, Tongku, Wei Hai Wei and Wuku; Manchuria, the following places only: Antoken (Antung), Bujan (Fushun), Choshun (Changchun), Dairen (Tairen, Tallen, formerly Dalny), Daisekkio (Tashichino), Daitoko (Tatungkon), Furanten (Pulantien), Gaihei (Kaiping), Giukaton (Newchatun), Gwaboten (Wafangtien), Hishiko (Pitzuwo), Honkeiko (Penhasiku), Hoten (Mukden), Howojio (Fenghuangcheng), Kaigen (Kalynen), Kallio (Haichaeng), Kinshu (Chinchow), Koshurei (Kungehuling), Riojun (Port Arthur), Rioyo (Liaoyang), Riujuton (Liushutun), Senkinsai (Chienchinsai), Shibeigal (Ssupingchieh), Shinminfu (Shingmingfu), Shoto (Changtu), Sokako (Tsaohokow), Sokaton (Suchiatun), Taikozan (Takushau), Tetsure

(Tiehling), Yendai (Yentai), Yugakujío (Hsiungyocheng) (parcels must not exceed $80 in value). Hayti, Brazil and Turkey, the following places only: Alexandretta, Beirut, Cavala, Constantinople (including Galata, Pera and Stamboul), Dardanelles, Dedeagatch, Durazzo, Haifa, Ineboli Jaffa, Janina, Jerusalem, Kerassund, Lagos, Mersine, Mitylene, Prevesa, Ritimo (Rethymo), Rhodes, Saloniki (Salonica), Samsoun, San Jean de Medua, Santi Quaranta, Scio (Schios), Scutari, Smyrna, Trebizond, Tchesme, Tripoli (Syria), Valona, Vathy (Samos), and the Isle of Crete. Parcels must be wrapped so as to permit their contents to be easily examined by postmasters. The presence, in an unsealed parcel, of sealed receptacles containing mailable articles which cannot be safely transmitted in the unsealed receptacles, will not render the parcel unmailable, provided the contents of the sealed receptacles are plainly visible, or are unmistakably indicated by the method of packing or by a precise statement on the covers. But such sealed receptacles will not be admitted to the Parcels Post unless inclosed in an outside cover open to inspection. Any article absolutely prohibited admission to the regular mails for any country is also inadmissable to Parcels Post mails for that country; but no article is excluded from Parcels Post mails solely because it is dutiable in the country of destination. Liquids, poisonous, explosive, and inflammable substances are excluded. CUSTOMS DECLARATIONS.

A Customs Declaration" Form 4402 (which will be furnished on application at the post-office or a station) must be properly and fully filled out, stating the actual contents, value, etc., of the parcel. General terms, such as merchandise" or "samples," will not answer; the contents must be accurately described. "Customs Declarations' must be firmly attached to the cover of the parcel, but not pasted or affixed so that they will seal the package and prevent examination of the contents without damaging the cover. In addition to being tied by means of acord passing through the eyelet, the tag should be bound flat to the parcel (with the front or declaration" side facing out), so that the tag cannot be used as a handle to lift the parcel while in transit.

Two (2) copies of the declaration" (Form 4402) must be attached to each parcel for Dutch Gulana, Dutch West Indies, Netherlands, Salvador and Uruguay, and three (3) copies to each parcel for Venezuela.

France-Two copies of the special declaration, "Form No. 2 Bis" (4402%), showing in addition to the usual entries the gross weight of the parcel and net weight of the contents, must be attached to parcels for France. One copy may be pasted to the package, but the other copy must be affixed in such a manner that it can be readily removed at the exchange office where the mail is prepared for despatch to France.

GENERAL REGULATIONS RESPECTING FOREIGN MAILS.

Rates and conditions to countries not in the Universal Postal Union are now the same as those to Universal Postal Union countries.

Postage can be prepaid upon articles (other than the reply half of double postal cards) only by means of the postage stamps of the country in which the articles are mailed. Hence articles mailed in one country addressed to another country which bear postage stamps of the country to which they are addressed are treated as if they had no postage stamps attached to them.

Unpaid letters received from the Postal Union and insufficiently prepaid correspondence of all kinds is chargeable with double the amount of the deficient postage.

Matter to be sent in the mails at less than letter rates must be so wrapped that it can be readily examined at the office of delivery, as well as the mailing office, without destroying the wrapper.

Packages of newspapers and periodicals sent in the mails to foreign countries are restricted to a single (outside) address. Those sent to Canada, Cuba, Mexico, Panama, and Shanghai (City), China, are transmissible as in domestic mails.

The United States two-cent postal card should be used for card correspondence with foreign countries (except Canada, Cuba, Mexico, Panama, and Shanghai City, to which countries the onecent card is transmissible), but where these cards cannot be obtained, it is allowable to use for this purpose the United States one-cent postal card with a one-cent United States adhesive postage stamp attached thereto. Private cards can be used if conforming in size, etc., to Government cards, such cards should bear the words "post card."

Mail matter of all kinds received from any country of the Postal Union is required to be reforwarded at the request of the addressee, from one post-office to another, and in the case of articles other than Parcels Post packages, to any foreign country embraced in the Postal Union, without additional charge for postage.

All articles prohibited from domestic mails are also excluded from circulation in the mails to and from foreign countries. Postal cards or letters addressed to go around the world will not be forwarded, being prohibited.

FOREIGN (INTERNATIONAL) MONEY ORDERS.

When payable in Apia, Austria, Belgium, Bolivia, Cape Colony, Costa Rica, Denmark, Egypt, Germany, Great Britain, Honduras, Hongkong, Hungary, Italy, Japan, Liberia, Luxemburg, New South Wales, Natal and Zululand, New Zealand, Orange River Colony, Peru, Portugal, Queensland, Russia, Salvador, South Australia, Switzerland, Tasmania, the Transvaal, Uruguay and Victoria rates are as follows:

When payable in any foreign country not named above rates are as follows:

NOTE-It should be understood that these tables are subject to change, it being the aim of the Post-Office Department to make reductions whenever conditions warrant such action.

Parcels Post.

THE Sixty-second Congress of the United States, Second Session, enacted the following Postal law, effective January 1, 1913.:

Sec. 8. That hereafter fourth-class mail matter shall embrace all other matter, including farm and factory products, not now embraced by law in either the first, second, or third class, not exceeding eleven pounds in weight, nor greater in size than seventy-two inches in length and girth combined, nor in form or kind likely to injure the person of any postal employé or damage the mall equipment or other mall matter and not of a character perishable within a period reasonably required for transportation and delivery.

That for the purposes of this section the United States and its several Territories and possessions, excepting the Philippine Islands, shall be divided into units of area thirty minutes square, Identical with a quarter of the area formed by the intersecting parallels of latitude and meridians of longitude. represented on appropriate postal maps or plans, and such units of area shall be the basis of eight Dostal zones, as follows:

The first zone shall include all territory within such quadrangle, in conjunction with every contiguous quadrangle, representing an area having a mean radial distance of approximately fifty miles from the centre of any given unit of area.

The second zone shall include all units of area outside the first zone lying in whole or in part within a radius of approximately one hundred and fifty miles from the centre 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 approximately three hundred miles from the centre of a given unit of area.

The fourth zone shall include all units of area outside the third zone lying in whole or in part within a radius of approximately six hundred miles from the centre of a given unit of area.

The fifth zone shall include all units of area outside the fourth zone lying in whole or in part within a radius of approximately one thousand miles from the centre of a given unit of area.

The sixth zone shall include all units of area outside the fifth zone lying in whole or in part within a radius of approximately one thousand four hundred miles from the centre of a given unit of area.

The seventh zone shall include all units of area outside the sixth zone lying in whole or in part within a radius of approximately one thousand eight hundred miles from the centre of a given unit of area.

The eighth zone shall include all units of area outside the seventh zone.

That the rate of postage on fourth-class matter weighing not more than four ounces shall be one cent for each ounce or fraction of an ounce; and on such matter in excess of four ounces in weight the rate shall be by the pound, as hereinafter provided, the postage in all cases to be prepaid by distinctive postage stamps amxed.

That except as provided in the next preceding paragraph postage on matter of the fourth class shall be prepaid at the following rates:

On all matter malled at the post-office from which a rural route starts, for delivery on such route, or mailed at any point on such route for delivery at any other point thereon, or at the office from which the routs starts, or on any rural route starting therefrom, and on all matter malled at a city carrier office, or at any point within its delivery limits, for delivery by carriers from that office. or at any office for local delivery, five cents for the first pound or fraction of a pound and one cent for each additional pound or fraction of a pound.

For delivery within the first zone, except as provided in the next preceding paragraph, five cents for the first pound or fraction of a pound and three cents for each additional pound or fraction of a pound.

For delivery within the second zone, six cents for the first pound or fraction of a pound and four cents for each additional pound or fraction of a pound.

For delivery within the third zone, seven cents for the first pound or fraction of a pound and five cents for each additional pound or fraction of a pound.

For delivery within the fourth zone, eight cents for the first pound or fraction of a pound and six cents for each additional pound or fraction of a pound.

For delivery within the fifth zone, nine cents for the first pound or fraction of a pound and seven cents for each additional pound or fraction of a pound.

For delivery within the sixth zone, ten cents for the first pound or fraction of a pound and nine cents for each additional pound or fraction of a pound.

For delivery within the seventh zone, eleven cents for the first pound or fraction of a pound and ten cents for each additional pound or fraction of a pound.

For delivery within the eighth zone and between the Philippine Islands and any portion of the United States, including the District of Columbia and the several Territories and possessions, twelve cents for the first pound or fraction of a pound and twelve cents for each additional pound or fraction of a pound.

The classification of articles mallable as well as the weight limit, the rates of postage, zone or zones and other conditions of mallability under this act, If the Postmaster-General shall find on experience that they or any of them are such as to prevent the shipment of articles desirable, or to permanently render the cost of the service greater than the receipts of the revenue therefrom, he is hereby authorized, subject to the consent of the Interstate Commerce Commission after investigation, to reform from time to time such classification, weight limit, rates, zone or zones or conditions, or either, in order to promote the service to the public or to insure the receipt of revenue from such service adequate to pay the cost thereof.

The Postmaster-General shall make provision by regulation for the indemnification of shippers. for shipment Injured or lost, by Insurance or otherwise, and, when desired, for the collection on delivery of the postage and price of the article shipped, fixing such charges as may be necessary to pay the cost of such additional services.

That the establishment of zones and postage rates of this section shall go into effect January first, nineteen hundred and thirteen.

That this act shall not in any way affect the postage rate on seeds, cuttings, bulbs, roots, scions and plants, as fixed by Section 482 of the Postal Laws and Regulations.

That for the purpose of a further inquiry into the subject of the general parcels post and all related subjects a joint committee of six persons (Members of Congress), three of whom shall be appointed by the President of the Senate, and three by the Speaker of the House of Representatives. is constituted, with full power to appoint clerks, stenographers and experts to assist them in this work. That the Postmaster-General and the Interstate Commerce Commission shall furnish such data and otherwise render such assistance to the said committee as may be desired or available. The committee shall report fully to Congress at the earllest date possible.

That all laws and parts of laws in conflict with the provisions of this section are hereby repealed. NOTE-When this edition of the ALMANAC went to press, the geographical boundaries of the zones mentioned above were not defined by the Postmaster-General.