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Average postage per pound of mail of all grades, 11 1-5c.

Summarized briefly, THE TOTAL POSTAGE PAID ON ALL INCOMING AND OUTGOING MATTER BY OURSELVES AND THE ADVERTISERS WHOSE ADVERTISEMENTS APPEARED IN THE MARCH ISSUE AVERAGED 11 1-5 CENTS PER POUND-A HANDSOME PROFIT FOR THE POSTOFFICE DEPARTMENT.

It has been frequently stated by former Postmasters-General that the average cost of handling all mail matter was 8 cents per pound. This basis was arrived at many years ago, but it will be seen by the PostmasterGeneral's report that the cost of handling all classes of mail to the Government is considerably less than 8 cents per pound. If the number of pounds of mail matter carried per annum is compared with the total cost of the operating of the Postal Establishment, it is plainly evident that the cost is somewhere between 5 and 6 cents per pound.

In the figures above given no account is taken of the money orders issued and for the fees the Government received from the money orders issued by those who have sent money to the advertisers and to ourselves. Doubtless the Government would receive a benefit of about 12 cents per pound on the mail matter directly resultant from the appearance and issuance of the Woman's World.

We have gone into the matter of transportation, taking our circulation by states and distances, the result being that the average haul per copy of the Woman's World is 658 miles.

We pay the Government $1.00 per hundred for hauling our papers 658 miles. The Express Companies will haul newspapers an equal distance at a lower rate.

It will be seen from the figures herein given that the Government has made a profit of from fifteen to twenty thousand dollars on the mail originating and directly resultant from the publication of the March issue of the Woman's World. In other words, if the cost to the Government is 6 cents per pound, and the receipts from all classes of mail handled in accordance with the figures above given are 11 1-5 cents, then, indeed, there is a profit of 5 cents or thereabouts per pound.

THIS MUCH IS SURE: THE $43,000 PAID FOR POSTAGE TO THE GOVERNMENT BY OURSELVES, OUR ADVER TISERS AND OUR CUSTOMERS, WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN PAID IF THE WOMAN'S WORLD WAS NOT IN EXISTENCE.

It has been shown by the figures prepared by the Postoffice Department that, though the second-class matter has steadily increased in volume, the deficit has correspondingly decreased and would by this time have been wiped out entirely, and instead of a deficit a profit would appear, were it not for the Rural Free Delivery and free Government matter.

I wish to say in all sincerity that it is my firm belief that the law establishing a cent a pound on second-class matter was a decided benefit to the people of our country. The figures show that the volume of highly profitable mail, namely first, third and' fourth classes, have correspondingly increased with the increase in second-class matter. The subscriber benefits by getting his publication at a low price, which would be impossible if a higher rate of postage were charged, and the Postoffice profits by the increase in business.

Years ago, the second-class rate was twice the present amount. Coincident with the 2cent-a-pound rate for second-class matter, the cost of paper was twice its present cost. Pub lishers have kept abreast with the times and at this moment the production of the printing press has been increased manifoldly, the cost

of paper has been reduced 50 per cent, and the postage on second-class matter has been reduced 50 per cent, and these reductions have made it possible for the publishers to sell their paper for 10, 25 or 50 cents a year, where a like paper could not be sold when the 2-cent-a-pound rate was in effect at less than 50 cents or $1.00 a year. Further than this, the publications now issued are infinitely better, broader in their scope and more in conformity with the meaning, "published for the dissemination of knowledge, news, etc."

It is and has been the policy of the Government to look after the interests and welfare of its people. The Government annually expends vast sums of money to help the farmer through the Agricultural Department. This nation of ours only progresses if the individuals progress mentally, and no factor has been more potent in educating our people than newspapers and periodicals.

To increase the second-class matter now would certainly work immediate hardship on publishers whose vested rights now exist through the laws established by the Congress pertaining to postage. The policy of the Government has always been to decrease the postage rate when changes have been made. No factor will help to increase the postage receipts more than the publications which now are under consideration by your Honorable Body, and concerning which, the Honorable Third Assistant Postmaster-General recommends the second-class rate be increased.

If the establishment of the Rural Free Delivery was to benefit the people and the Government is willing to lose twenty million dollars per annum to benefit its people, then certainly a temporary deficit of ten million dollars per annum should not be a grave concern when it appears that the deficit will surely be wiped out unless unusual changes are made to the Postoffice Department.

Your Honorable Body is convened, as I understand it, for the purpose of getting information on the subject of postal rates, and I suggest to this Commission that if the entire Government affairs were conducted as private business is conducted, one of the basic principles would be that each Department is charged for expenses it incurs. In other words, the War Department, the Navy Department, the Agricultural Department, Interior Department, Executive and all the Arms of the Government have their mail matter carried without charge to them; therefore they bear no portion of the expense.

I quite agree with the Honorable Third Assistant Postmaster-General that the laws now in force are inadequate, are not specific and are a source of misrepresentation. I believe the Honorable Third Assistant Postmaster-General should, so far as possible, be relieved from making individual decisions or interpretations. I believe a rate should be established covering third and fourth-class matter at so much a pound and that the postage be paid in a lump sum as it is now paid on second-class matter. The combination of two classes and abolishment of stamps on each package would make a decided saving to the Government.

I realize the difficulties under which your Honorable Commission labors. Publishers differ greatly, and there are nearly as many recommendations as there are publishers appearing before you.

It is not a wise plan to upset precedent and place in jeopardy vested rights when, through those vested rights, the Government is reaping a handsome profit.

Yours respectfully,

WM. C. HUNTER, President Currier-Boyce Co., Publishers Woman's World.

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We are too apt to look upon the Government as an arbitrary power, ruling the people in an inexorable manner, forgetting that the Government is the people, and that the various departments of the Government service, should be administered for the good of the people generally, and not in the interest of politicians and their constituents.

Mr. Boyce has spoken frankly and fearlessly. Here are a few extracts from his report to the Periodical Publishers' Association.

Mr. Chairman and Gentlemen:

The most profitable investment the Government has made in the Postoffice Department is the rate of one cent a pound for newspapers and periodicals.

The most potent factors in increasing the sale of postage stamps are newspapers and periodicals.

The most powerful factors for the dissemination of news and advertising the natural resources of our country are the newspapers and periodicals.

The most efficient method of educating our people and acquainting them with the benefits of our Republic are the newspapers and periodicals.

The best means of promoting our welfare and advertising this country among the sister Nations in the world are the newspapers and periodicals.

Without advertising and news-matter this country could not have attained its present proportions and its unbounded prosperity.

Without the newspaper and periodical, the civilized population of this country at this time would be restricted to a few settlements along the Atlantic coast.

Last year the second class mail increased 45,000,000 pounds and the deficit decreased $4,000,000.

The Postoffice Department would today show a profit of $15,000,000 except for the loss sustained through the Rural Free Delivery. In other words, this past year shows a deficit of $10,000,000 on the whole operation, and in the debit charges appears $25,000,000 expended for Rural Free Delivery.

This service could be made profitable and extended to reach every farm home in the country if a Local Postal Express were established.

This service to be confined to the rural route itself. Merchandise starting and terminating on the route could be profitably carried at one or two cents a pound.

We find that the losses through the Rural Free Delivery are far more than the total Postal deficit and yet we wish to continue the Rural Free Delivery, because it is a direct benefit to the people.

If the Government is willing to spend $25,000,000 per annum for Rural Delivery to benefit the people, it should not be concerned over the small deficit of $10,000,000 per annum.

When the Postoffice Department was established, the cost of transporting letters was so high that letter-writing was a luxury and could only be indulged in by the well-to-do people. From time to time the Government has reduced the postage rate, both on letters and on periodicals, and just so often as a reduction has been made a corresponding increase in volume immediately followed.

It is now time for a further reduction on first and second class postage, and that reduction should be at least fifty per cent. This reduction on the two classes named would mean first, penny postage for letters--and the people of the country would send their com munications in the form of a letter rather than on postal cards. The Government carries the postal card for a cent and furnishes the paper on which the communication is printed. The Government could just as well carry a letter for a cent and only furnish the postage stamp, the cost of which is insignificant; the writer would furnish the paper and envelope.

Penny postage, however, would not be practical without a reduction in the second class rate so as to allow an increase in the volume of second class mail which creates first, third and fourth class mail matter.

While those who watch the pennies closely are enabled to communicate through the postal card plan for a cent, yet the number of pieces would be more than doubled if the communications could be private instead of being subject to the gaze of the Postmaster and Postal clerks.

Over 700,000,000 postal cards were sold by the postoffices last year.

A reduction in the second class rate would be a distinct gain to the people of the country, for it would enable the publishers to give more pages for the same subscription price and would enable some of the publishers to lower their subscription rate.

The second class postage rate has often been referred to as a "privilege" or a "subsidy" to the publisher. The rate is not, and never has been, a privilege or subsidy to the publisher, but it is a benefit directly to the people.

Second class postage creates most of the These first, third and fourth classes of mail. classes are highly profitable to the Government, as the following figures will show:

On first class mail matter the Government receives over $3,000 per ton; on third class about $200 a ton; on fourth class about $400 The average haul on these classes is about 400 miles.

a ton.

As publishers, we know that in proportion as we can manufacture, print and circulate our papers cheaper, the benefit goes to the reader in the shape of lower subscription rates or in increased quantity of reading. If the second class matter rate were increased, many publishers would be forced out of business, for in many cases the annual profits of a publication are less than the amount of postage paid for second class matter.

The Postmaster General-Geo. B. Cortelyou -in his recommendations to Congress emphasizes the fact that the Postoffice should be divorced from politics and conducted on business principles. This suggestion of his is the most hopeful thing publishers have heard from the Postoffice Department. General Cortelyou is to be commended for his recommendation.

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Largest Building in the World

Now Being Built by Montgomery Ward and Company

The Rapidly Increasing Trade of the American Farmer Makes the Immediate Erection of this Huge Structure Imperative

SEY

EVEN years ago, when Montgomery Ward & Company erected their main building corner Michigan Avenue and Madison Street, Chicago, they thought that they were "building large enough for all time."

A member of the firm recently said to the writer, "When this building was erected, we rather felt that we had a white elephant on our hands."

Since this great building was constructed however, Montgomery Ward & Company have been compelled to add annexes, on Michigan Avenue, and Washington Street, an extensive warehouse at Clinton and Monroe Streets, besides a branch house at Kansas City, Mo., a Farm Machinery Warehouse at Sycamore, Ill., and various other Warehouses and Factories at different points, and yet with all of these added facilities for promptly filling orders, their business has grown to such proportions, as to compel them to now employ a double quota of clerks, one set working from eight to six o'clock by day, and another from eight o'clock p. m. to six in the morning. In this way, they have practically doubled the present capacity of their buildings, and are still enabled to fill orders with their usual promptness.

Increased Consumption by Farmers Montgomery Ward & Company claim that they have two and one-half million customers.

What do they buy?

Almost everything in the world of legitimate merchandise. Think of any article that is sold in America, turn to the alphabetical index of their catalogue, and you will find it there. Go through the whole list of necessities and luxuries, and in ninety-nine

cases in a hundred, or even a greater percentage than this, you will find the article in their catalogue.

And this simply goes to prove that the American farmer is one of the best of buyers. He has always been a great producer, but, previous to the past three and one-half decades, compassed by the business history of Montgomery Ward & Company, he was not a great con

sumer.

An Overlooked Advertising Opportunity

And yet, notwithstanding the incontrovertible fact that the farmer is unquestionably the best buyer in the United States, there are scores of general advertisers, who still consider him of but little value to them. They speak of him, and think of him, and-so far as their advertising appropriations are concerned -treat him as a back number; a "Rube," a "hay-seed," a "jay;" whose purchases consist mainly of blue jeans, calico, brown sugar, and horse liniment; whose stock expressions are by gosh! and by heck! and by hen!

There are scores of general advertisers, who could profit as they can in no other way, by advertising their goods in the papers that most forcibly appeal to the farmer; the agricultural publications. The mediums that have been such large factors in building up the marvelous business of Montgomery Ward & Company.

Advertisers of soap-toilet and laundry-package foods, shoes, books, silverware, watches, and a long list of other goods, sold by this great firm, and the other catalogue houses, could double and quadruple their sales through these sources, by supplementing the brief descriptions in their catalogues,

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Montgomery Ward & Co.'s New Main Building, now in the course of construction at the Junction of Chicago Avenue and the Chicago River, extending north along the river bank nine hundred feet, with a frontage of 270 feet on Chicago Avenue. To be completed in 1907.

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