Postal Costs02

Waupaca Republican

July 26, 1907

POSTAL COSTS ONLY 1 CENT

Don’t write Messages in Merchandise Packages

The postal law prohibit placing written messages in merchandise packages or letters on which less than two cents an ounce has been paid and the provisions of this statute admit of no waiver of the penalty provided. During the last fiscal year post office inspectors collected $59,065 for such violations. In thousands of cases a short note or memorandum was placed inside a package of merchandise on which postage was paid at one cent an ounce, while the written matter made it necessary that two cents an ounce should have been paid. Finding in a great number of cases the offense was due to ignorance of the law and that the collection of the fine usually works a hardship to the very poor, especially where written messages are made in returning coupons, tags and certificates for premiums, Post Master General Meyer has directed that proper notice be placed in post offices warning the public against the practice.