Selected Articles on the Parcels Post

Selected Articles on the Parcels Post, edited by D. L. Cummings and published in 1913 as part of the Debaters' Handbook Series, is a comprehensive compilation of essays, arguments, and authoritative opinions on the subject of the parcels post system in the United States. The book provides a thorough exploration of the debate surrounding the establishment and expansion of a government-operated parcels post, which would allow for the shipment of packages through the postal service at regulated rates. Drawing from a wide range of sources, including government reports, newspaper editorials, speeches, and expert analyses, the volume presents both sides of the issue, offering arguments for and against the parcels post. Proponents argue that a parcels post would benefit rural communities, lower shipping costs, and break the monopolistic hold of private express companies, thereby fostering competition and economic growth. Opponents, on the other hand, raise concerns about the potential negative impact on small businesses, the financial burden on the postal system, and the risk of government overreach. The book is organized to facilitate debate and research, with a detailed introduction, a bibliography for further reading, and a carefully curated selection of articles that reflect the diverse perspectives of the era. Selected Articles on the Parcels Post serves as an invaluable resource for students, debaters, historians, and anyone interested in the development of American postal policy and the broader questions of public versus private enterprise. It captures the spirit of early 20th-century reform movements and provides insight into the social, economic, and political forces that shaped the modern postal system.