New Postal Rates Effective On Jan.10

Nation's Business, Oct, 1998

                             U.S. MAIL

Item                   Current New Rate Percent Increase

First Class Letter

  First Ounce           $ 0.32   $ 0.33             3.1%

  Additional Ounce        0.23     0.22            (4.3)

Postcard                  0.20     0.20                -

Priority Mail (2 lbs.)    3.00     3.20              6.7

Express Mail (8 oz.)     10.75    11.75              9.3

Local Newspaper          0.145    0.157              8.3

National Magazine        0.271    0.291              7.4

Parcel Post--Basic        2.63     3.15             19.8

SOURCE: U.S. POSTAL SERVICE

The average increase in postal rates scheduled to take effect Jan.10 will be 2.9 percent, which the U.S. Postal Service says will be the smallest increase in 27 years. The first across-the-board revision in rates in four years will be accompanied by a new delivery-confirmation service for Priority Mail and parcel post items. The Postal Service says it will continue to offer deep discounts for bulk mailers.