POST OFFICE DEPARTMENT STATEMENT ON WAR The Post Office Department is taking steps to insure that all of the 50,000 post offices, stations, and branches will be fully prepared to put in effect the postal provisions of the new revenue act when they become effective March 26, 1944, Postmaster General Frank C. Walker has announced. Mr. Walker made public the new rates on mail and special services, and disclosed that formal orders are being prepared for publication in the Postal Bulletin setting forth all changes made by the revenue act. Already, Mr. Walker disclosed, the Bureau of Engraving and Printing is processing an 8-cent domestic air-mail stamp. The design is that of the 6-cent stamp but the color will be different. Every post office will have a supply when the new rate becomes effective. Mr. Walker announced that the rate on air mail to and from the armed forces stationed outside the continental United States, which he reduced to 6 cents a half ounce, on December 23, 1941, remains unchanged. Postal personnel are to be informed of the following changes: The local rate will be increased from 2 cents to 3 cents an ounce at letter carrier offices. The domestic air mail rate will be increased from 6 cents to 8 cents an ounce. Every parcel sent by parcel post will require at least 1 cent more in postage than is now required. The new law requires that the increase be 1 cent or 3 percent, whichever is greater. Detailed tables are being drafted and will be inserted in the Postal Bulletin, so that complete information will be available in all post offices on the effective date of the new act. The money-order rates are increased as follows: 1 cent to $2.50, increased from 6 cents to 10 cents; $2.51 to $5, increased from 8 cents to 14 cents; $5.01 to $10, increased from 11 cents to 19 cents; $10.01 to $20, increased from 13 cents to 22 cents; $20.01 to $40, increased from 15 cents to 25 cents; $40.01 to $60, increased from 18 cents to 30 cents; $60.01 to $80, increased from 20 cents to 34 cents; $80.01 to $100, increased from 22 cents to 37 cents. Fees for registered mail are increased 33% percent, and additional fees (surcharges) are increased 33% percent. The following figures list the indemnity limitations and the fee changes: $5, from 15 cents to 20 cents; $25, from 18 cents to 25 cents; $50, from 20 cents to 25 cents; $75, from 25 cents to 35 cents; $100, from 30 cents to 40 cents; $200, from 40 cents to 55 cents; $300, from 50 cents to 65 cents; $400, from 60 cents to 80 cents; $500, from 70 cents to 95 cents; $600, from 80 cents to $1.05; $700, from 85 cents to $1.15; $800, from 90 cents to $1.20; $900, from 95 cents to $1.25; $1,000, from $1 to $1.35. Insured and c. o. d. fees will be doubled under the new schedules. The fee for services in effecting delivery of collect-on-delivery mail upon terms different from those originally stipulated at the time of mailing is increased from 10 cents to 20 cents. The charge for demurrage on domestic collect-on-delivery mail, now 5 cents a day, is increased to 10 cents. Mr. Walker pointed out that no change is made under the new act in c. o. d. fees on sealed domestic c. o. d. mail of any class bearing postage at the first class rate. On restricted delivery mail, the fee for effecting delivery of domestic registered, insured, and c. o. d. mail, delivery of which is restricted to the addressee only, or to the addressee or order, is increased from 10 cents to 20 cents. Mr. Walker said that the existing supply of 6-cent air-mail stamps will not be recalled. Armed forces air mail is so heavy, he said, that printing of the 6-cent stamp will have to be continued in quantity. The armed forces now absorb the total production of 6-cent air-mailstamped envelopes. Eight million air-mail-stamped envelopes are being used weekly by the armed forces. Eight-cent stamped envelopes will not be printed for the time being, Mr. Walker announced. Wine: Sparkling.. Other Floor stocks. General admissions. Lease of boxes or seats, etc. Jewelry. Fur and fur-trimmed articles. Luggage, handbags, wallets, etc.. Toilet preparations. Electric light bulbs and tubes. Playing cards: Exemption. 20 percent of manufacturers' sales price. Extends exemption to cards exported to a possession of the United Exempts all payments by or to the War Shipping Administration for transportation by water from one point to another in United States except points on Great Lakes Article or service POSTAL RATES 1 Effective date of excise changes: 2 cents per ounce. 6 cents per ounce..-Various 15 cents to $1 per article. 6 cents to 22 cents per order. 3 cents per ounce. 8 cents per ounce. Revenue Act of 1943 Increased by 3 percent of present rate, or 1 cent, whichever is greater. 20 cents to $1.35 per article. 10 cents to 70 cents per article. TECHNICAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE AMENDMENTS Fur and fur-trimmed articles: Articles made from pelts Articles made from pelts furnished by customer furnished by customers. not subject to tax. Tax applicable to tires and tubes made wholly or in part of rubber. Tax-exempt. Apr. 1, 1944; however, the increase in the cabaret tax becomes effective at 10 a. m. on such date, and the communications tax increase is applicable only to amounts paid for services rendered on or after such date. July 1, 1944. Services for which bill is rendered, and for which no previous bill was rendered, on or after May 1, 1944. When bill rendered on or after May 1, 1944, includes charges for services previously rendered, increased rates do not apply to services rendered more than 2 months before May 1, 1944. Mar. 26, 1944. Where articles subject to retail excises are classifiable under more than 1 section, only one tax applies. If the rates of tax differ, highest rate prevails. Persons making fur article from pelts furnished by customer Term "rubber" amended to include synthetic and substitute Taxable. Secretary of Treasury may authorize exemption with respect to retail excises, manufacturers' excise and import taxes, transportation and communications excise taxes, if he determines that the imposition of such taxes will cause substantial burden or expense which can be avoided by granting tax exemption and that full benefit of such exemption will accrue to the United States. Exempts articles sold under contracts entered into prior to effective date of changes, outlined in section (b) below, or under any |