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KF5JRV > TECH 07.06.16 12:35l 26 Lines 1572 Bytes #999 (0) @ WW
BID : 4165_KF5JRV
Read: GUEST
Subj: International Parcel Post
Path: IW8PGT<CX2SA<N0KFQ<KF5JRV
Sent: 160607/1115Z 4165@KF5JRV.#NWAR.AR.USA.NA BPQ1.4.65
Foundation of International Parcel Post Service 1878 – 1896
"The term "parcel post" refers to the sending of packages through the mail
service. In 1878, the Congress of the Universal Postal Union established an
international parcel post system. Four years later, the British parliament
approved a bill implementing domestic, colonial and foreign parcel post
services. Other countries quickly followed suit. The US Post Office Department
agreed to deliver parcels sent into the country but refused to institute a
domestic service.
"In the late 1800's, the National Grange and similar organizations concerned
with farmers' welfare lobbied Congress for the free delivery of mail to rural
households. Many rural residents had to travel for days to retrieve their mail
from distant post offices or pay private express companies for delivery.
Finally, in October 1896, Congress approved the establishment of
rural free delivery. It was a heady taste of life for rural Americans and soon
increased the demand for delivery of packages containing foodstuffs, dry
goods, drugs, tobacco and other commodities not easily available to farmers.
"Private express companies and rural retail merchants fought tenaciously
against parcel post but rural residents comprised 54 percent of the country's
population and they were equally vociferous. While the question was still
being debated in Congress, one of the major express companies declared a large
stockholder dividend. Public indignation at the exorbitant profits spurred
Congress to resolve the issue quickly".
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