Public Law 89–593

chapter

Postal rates on certain fourth-class mail.

74 Stat. 673.

67 of title 39, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end thereof the following new sections:

Ҥ 4556. Postage rates on parcel post

“(a)“(a)

Except as otherwise provided in this section and subject to section 4558 of this title, the rates of postage on fourth-class

Post, p. 816.

parcel post are based on the zones described in section 4553 of this title in accordance with the following table:

		Zones
Pounds	Local
	delivery
		1st and 2d	3d	4th	5th	6th	7th	8th
2	40	50	50	55	60	70	75	80
3	40	55	60	65	75	85	95	105
4	45	60	65	75	85	100	110	125
5	45	65	70	80	95	110	130	145
6	45	70	80	90	105	125	145	165
7	50	80	85	95	115	140	160	185
8	50	85	90	105	130	150	175	200
9	55	90	95	115	140	165	190	220
10	55	95	105	120	150	175	210	240
11	55	100	110	130	160	190	225	260
12	60	105	115	135	170	200	240	275
13	60	110	120	145	180	210	255	295
14	65	115	130	150	190	225	270	310
15	65	120	135	160	200	235	285	330
16	65	125	140	165	210	245	300	345
17	70	130	145	175	220	260	315	365
18	70	135	150	180	230	270	330	380
19	75	140	160	190	240	285	345	400
20	75	140	165	195	250	295	360	415
21	75	145	170	205	260	305	375	435
22	80	150	175	210	265	315	390	450
23	80	155	180	215	275	330	405	465
24	85	160	185	220	285	340	415	485
25	85	160	190	230	290	350	430	500
26	85	165	195	235	300	360	445	520
27	90	170	195	240	310	370	460	535
28	90	175	200	250	320	385	475	550
29	95	180	205	255	325	395	485	570
30	95	180	210	260	335	405	500	585
31	95	185	215	265	345	415	515	605
32	100	190	220	275	350	425	530	620
33	100	195	225	280	360	440	545	635
34	100	195	230	285	370	450	555	655
35	105	200	235	290	375	460	570	670
36	105	205	240	300	385	470	585	690
37	110	210	245	305	395	480	600	705
38	110	215	250	310	405	495	615	720
39	110	215	255	320	410	505	625	740
40	115	220	260	325	420	515	640	755
41	115	225	265	330	430	525	655	770
42	115	230	270	335	435	535	670	790
43	120	230	275	345	445	550	685	805
44	120	235	275	350	455	560	695	820
45	125	240	280	355	460	570	710	835
46	125	245	285	365	470	580	725	850
47	125	250	290	370	480	590	740	870
48	130	250	295	375	490	605	755	885
49	130	255	300	380	495	615	765	900
50	130	260	305	390	505	625	780	915
51	135	265	310	395	515	635	795	930
52	135	265	315	400	520	645	805	950
53	140	270	320	405	530	660	820	965
54	140	270	325	410	535	670	835	980
55	140	275	330	420	545	680	845	995
56	145	280	335	425	555	690	860	1,010
57	145	280	340	430	560	700	870	1,030
58	150	285	345	435	570	715	885	1,045
59	150	290	350	440	575	725	900	1,060
60	150	290	350	450	585	735	910	1,075
61	155	295	355	455	595	745	925	1,090
62	155	300	360	460	600	755	935	1,110
63	155	300	365	465	610	770	950	1,125
64	160	305	370	470	615	780	965	1,140
65	160	305	375	480	625	790	975	1,155
66	165	310	380	485	635	800	990	1,170
67	165	315	385	490	640	810	1,000	1,190
68	165	315	390	495	650	825	1,015	1,205
69	170	320	395	500	655	835	1,030	1,220
70	170	325	400	510	665	845	1,040	1,235

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“(b)“(b)

Subject to section 4558 of this title, parcels weighing less than ten pounds and measuring more than eighty-four inches but not more than one hundred inches in length and girth combined are subject to a minimum postage rate equal to the postage rate for a ten-pound parcel for the zone to which the parcel is addressed.

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“(c)“(c)

Subject to section 4558 of this title, the postage rate on gold mailed within Alaska or from Alaska to other States and possessions of the United States, including the Canal Zone and the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico is 2 cents for each ounce or fraction thereof regardless of zones.

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Ҥ 4557. Postage rates on catalogs

“(a)“(a)

Subject to section 4558 of this title, the rates of postage on fourth-class catalogs, having twenty-four or more pages at least twenty-two of which are printed and weighing sixteen ounces or more but not exceeding ten pounds, are based on the zones described in section 4553 of this title in accordance with the following table:

	Zones
“Weight (pounds)
	Local	1 and 2	3	4	5	6	7	8
	Cents	Cents	Cents	Cents	Cents	Cents	Cents	Cents
1.5	23	29	30	31	33	35	38	41
2	24	30	32	33	36	39	42	46
2.5	25	32	33	36	39	42	46	51
3	26	33	35	38	42	46	51	57
3.5	27	35	37	40	44	49	55	62
4	28	36	39	42	47	53	59	67
4.5	29	38	41	45	50	56	64	72
5	30	39	42	46	53	60	68	77
6	32	42	46	51	59	67	77	88
7	34	45	50	56	64	74	85	98
8	36	48	53	60	70	81	94	109
9	38	51	57	65	76	88	104	119
10	39	54	60	69	81	95	112	129

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“(b)“(b)

Subject to section 4558 of this title, the rates of postage on catalogs conforming to subsection (a) of this section, when mailed in quantities of not less than three hundred individually addressed pieces at one time and when prepared and mailed in accordance with conditions established by the Postmaster General, consist of a piece rate in addition to a bulk rate per pound, based on the zones described in section 4553 of this title, in accordance with the following table:

“Zone	Piece rate	Bulk pound
		rate
	Cents	Cents
Local	17	1.9
1 and 2	21	3.0
3	21	3.6
4	21	4.6
5	21	5.7
6	21	7 1
7	21	8.7
8	22	10 4

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Ҥ 4558. Reformation of conditions of mailability

“(a)“(a)

Whenever the Postmaster General finds that, as a continuing situation,—

“(1)“(1)

the acceptance, as fourth-class mail, of mail matter otherwise legally acceptable in the mails is being prevented, or

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“(2)“(2)

the revenue from the fourth-class mail service is less than the cost of such service or that the revenue from such service is greater than the cost thereof, or

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“(3)“(3)

any other condition exists with respect to the fourth-class mail service which is impairing the efficient and economical operation of such service,

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by reason of—

“(A)“(A)

the rates of postage on fourth-class mail (other than the rates prescribed by sections 4422, 4554, and 4651 to 4654, inclusive, of this title), or

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“(B)“(B)

the classification of articles mailable as fourth-class mail, or

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“(C)“(C)

the postal zone structure or the method used in establishing such structure, or

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“(D)“(D)

any other condition of mailability as fourth-class mail (other than size and weight limits),

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he shall file with the Interstate Commerce Commission a request to—

“(i)“(i)

increase or decrease, as he deems advisable, any rate or rates of postage on fourth-class mail (other than the rates prescribed by sections 4422, 4554, and 4651 to 4654, inclusive, of this title), or

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“(ii)“(ii)

reform any condition or conditions of mailability within the purview of subparagraphs (B), (C), and (D) of this subsection or

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“(iii)“(iii)

take both such actions.

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“(b)“(b)

The request of the Postmaster General under subsection (a) of this section for an increase or decrease in any rate or rates of postage or for reformation of any other condition or conditions of mailability, or both, shall be deemed approved on the thirtieth day following the date on which the Postmaster General files such request with the Interstate Commerce Commission, and shall become effective in accordance with the terms of the request, unless, prior to the expiration of such thirtieth day—

“(1)“(1)

such request is rejected by the Commission, or

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“(2)“(2)

the Commission orders an investigation of such request.

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If final determination by the Commission, on the basis of such investigation, is not made prior to the expiration of the one hundred and eightieth day after the date of the filing of such request with the Commission, such request shall be deemed approved at the close of such one hundred and eightieth day and shall become effective in accordance with its terms.

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Ҥ 4559. Certification on fourth-class mail revenue-cost relationship

“The Postmaster General shall not withdraw from the general fund of the Treasury any funds appropriated to the Department for any fiscal year, until he has certified in writing to the Secretary of the Treasury that—

“(1)“(1)

he has reason to believe that the revenues from the rates of postage on fourth-class mail (other than fourth-class mail for which the rates are prescribed by sections 4422, 4554, and 4651 to 4654, inclusive, of this title) will not be greater than the costs thereof by more than 4 per centum and will not be less than the costs thereof by more than 4 per centum; or

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“(2)“(2)

he has filed with the Interstate Commerce Commission a request for the establishment or reformation of rates or other conditions of mailability, or both, in accordance with section 4558 of this title, with the objective that the revenues of such fourth-class mail will not be greater than the costs thereof by more than 4 per centum, or will not be less than the costs thereof by more than 4 per centum; or

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“(3)“(3)

the volume data published in the most recent Cost Ascertainment Report does not reflect increases in the volume of fourth-class mail from changes in law, including changes which have not become effective, which in the opinion of the Postmaster General would have resulted in revenues of fourth-class mail (other than that for which rates are prescribed by sections 4422, 4554 and 4651 to 4654 inclusive, of this title) not greater than the costs thereof by more than 4 per centum, or not less than the costs thereof by more than 4 per centum, had such changes in law been in effect for the period covered by such Cost Ascertainment Report.

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Certificates required by this subsection shall be based on the volume data published in the most recent Cost Ascertainment Report of the Department.”.

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The table of contents of such chapter 67 is amended by adding at the end thereof the following:

Section 4553 of title 39, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end thereof the following new subsections:

“(c)“(c)

The Postmaster General shall use units of area containing postal sectional center facilities as the basis of a postal zone as described in subsection (b) of this section. The zone shall be measured from the center of the unit of area containing the dispatching sectional center facility. A post office of mailing and a post office of delivery shall have the same zone relationship as their respective sectional center facilities, but this sentence shall not cause two post offices to be regarded as within the same local zone.

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“(d)“(d)

In addition to the eight zones described in subsections (b) and (c) of this section, there is a local zone as defined by the Postmaster General from time to time.

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“(e)“(e)

The foregoing provisions of this section are subject to section

Ante, p. 816.

74 Stat. 665.

4558 of this title.”.

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Section 4303(d) (1) of title 39, United States Code, is amended by striking out “established for fourth class mail” and inserting in lieu thereof “described in section 4553, or prescribed pursuant to section 4558, of this title”.

Section 4359(e) (3) of title 39, United States Code, is amended by striking out “established for fourth class mail” and inserting in lieu thereof “described in section 4553, or prescribed pursuant to section 4558, of this title”.

Section 4554(a) (1) of title 39, United States Code, is amended to read as follows:

“(1)“(1)

complete books consisting wholly of reading matter or scholarly bibliography or reading matter with incidental blank spaces for notations and containing no advertising matter other than incidental announcements of books except additions, supplements, fillers, or similar matter which are mailed thereafter and which are intended to replace or add to material in the complete book originally mailed;”.

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The paragraph under the heading “general provisions”

Repeals.

under the appropriations for the Post Office Department contained in chapter IV of the Supplemental Appropriation Act, 1951 (64 Stat. 1050), as amended by section 213 or the Postal Rate Increase Act, 1958 (72 Stat. 143; 31 U.S.C. 695), is repealed effective as of July 1, 1966.

Section 207(b) of the Act of February 28, 1925 (43 Stat. 1067), as amended by section 7 of the Act of May 29, 1928 (45 Stat. 942), is

31 USC 695 note.

repealed as of the effective date of the first section of this Act.

There is hereby established a commission to be known

Advisory Commission on Parcel Distribution Services.

as the Advisory Commission on Parcel Distribution Services (hereinafter referred to as the “Commission”).

The Commission shall be composed of five members appointed by the President. Three members of the Commission shall constitute a quorum. The President shall designate one of the members to serve as Chairman of the Commission and one of the members to serve as Vice Chairman of the Commission.

It shall be the duty of the Commission to make a full and

Small parcel distribution services, study.

complete study of small parcel distribution services, including parcel post, with a view to making recommendations with respect to—

On before January 1, 1968, the Commission shall submit to the President and the Congress an interim report concerning its activities during the preceding year, including such recommendations as it may deem appropriate. On or before January 1, 1969, the Commission shall submit to the President and the Congress its final report and recommendations. Such report shall include specific recommendations on the matters contained in paragraphs (8), (9), and (10) of subsection (c) of this section. If such Commission finds that the increases in parcel post size and weight limits established by this Act will seriously endanger the ability of common carriers primarily engaged in the express service to continue operations and are not in the public interest, Congress shall during the 91st Congress consider the advisability of further legislation to eliminate the increase in size limitations on parcel post to take effect on July 1, 1971, established by this Act.

The Commission shall have the power to appoint and fix the compensation of an executive director and such other personnel as it deems advisable, in accordance with the provisions of the civil

Ante, p. 288.

service laws and the Classification Act of 1949, as amended. The Commission may also procure, without regard to the civil service laws and the Classification Act of 1949, as amended, temporary and intermittent services to the same extent as is authorized for the departments

5 USC 55a.

by section 15 of the Act of August 2, 1946 (60 Stat. 810), but at rates not to exceed $100 per diem for individuals.

The Commission is authorized to secure directly from any executive department, bureau, agency, board, commission, office, independent establishment, or instrumentality of the Federal Government information for the purposes of this section; and each such department, bureau, agency, board, commission, office, establishment, or instrumentality is authorized and directed to furnish such information directly to the Commission upon request made by the Chairman of the Commission.

Members of the Commission shall each receive $100 per diem when engaged in the actual performance of duties vested in the Commission, including travel-time, and may receive travel expenses, includ-ing per diem in lieu of subsistence, as authorized by section 5 of the Administrative Expenses Act of 1946 (5 U.S.C. 73b–2) for persons

60 Stat. 808; 75 Stat. 339, 340.

in the Government service employed intermittently.

There are hereby authorized to be appropriated to the Commission

Appropriation.

such sums, not to exceed $100,000 for any year, as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this section.

The Commission shall cease to exist thirty days after the submission of the final report provided for in subsection (d).