Show d Only one course open Postage rate increases have become a perennial affliction that the public has come to accept with a fatalistic resignation resignation along along with the seeming inevitability of deteriorating service However since postal rates are subject to not true regulatory review or public hearings such as is the case with regulated private industry virtually no noone noone noone one really appreciates the impact of postal rates on living costs The average person figures he can beat the game by mailing fewer postcards and letters It is not quite that simple An electric company serving the Rocky Mountain region region for for example a company whose rates are stringently regulated regulated has has reported the effect on its operations of in US U.S. postal rates imposed in March 1974 The increase will boost this company's mailing cost about 1 million per year year year- an increase of The company which h happens to be located in Colorado is one of the states state's largest users of the mail It sends out about bills each month In addition there are some mailings of notices to shareholders mailings of company publications mailings of annual reports and mailings for each notice to customers of proceedings before the Colorado Public Utilities Commission Multiply the postal costs of this company by tens of thousands throughout the nation and it is easy to see why postal rates are an item in the cost of living of every family even if not a single letter is mailed Postage is an essential government service It is also a cost of doing business ultimately paid by consumers Moreover it is a cost that has risen many times faster than the general price level level including including that rate increases of electric companies |