§ MR. M'MAHONasked the Postmaster General, Why Inland Book Packets have since 1871 been reduced to "one foot six inches in length, nine inches in width, and six inches in depth," instead of "two feet in length and one foot in depth or width," the limit which has prevailed for many years, while for Book Packets for nearly all Foreign Countries, as well as for "Newspaper Packets" when intended for Inland circulation, the latter dimensions are still adhered to?
§ MR. MONSELLSir, the former dimensions were found to be very inconvenient for the Department, both in the conveyance and in the delivery of the packets, and the packets themselves were liable to be injured. For these reasons authority was obtained, when the Post Office Act of 1871 was passed, for reducing the dimensions. The rule as to book packets for foreign countries was not under discussion, and could not be altered without the consent of those countries. Newspapers have always had special privileges accorded to them, and they could not be brought under the same restrictions.