It seems from old records on the subject as mentioned in the _Washington Evening Star_, that some of the editors of the colonial period of our history had quite a good deal to say and took a very active part in shaping political events, particularly in postal affairs. One Maryland editor, Goddard by name, when his papers were refused in the mails on account of his outspoken views, set about establishing what he called “A Constitutional American Post Office.” He issued a circular, July 2, 1774, announcing his plan, and went about the colonies soliciting support. Committees were appointed and subscriptions of money secured, postmasters designated, riders secured and service established, which was instantly patronized. Crown post riders found the roads unsafe and resigned. Goddard was printer of the _Maryland Journal_, printed at Baltimore, and by the early part of 1775 he had thirty offices and nine post riders, covering the territory from Massachusetts to Virginia, including Georgetown-on-the-Potomac. It was a private service, operated in opposition to the still existing British service. Goddard had declared his desire to have the Continental Congress assume charge and administer this service for all the people. The Continental Congress took up the matter and appointed a committee composed of Mr. Franklin, Mr. Lynch, Mr. Lee, Mr. Willing, Mr. Adams, and Mr. P. Livingston, who brought in their report July 25, 1775. The report was taken up and considered the next day, July 26, 1775, when it was resolved, that a Postmaster General be appointed for the United Colonies. The record of the Continental Congress on that day (postal independence day), then closes with the unanimous election of Benjamin Franklin to be Postmaster General. Damage in Handling Parcel Post Mail A study of 4,219 reports received at the headquarters of the various Railway Mail Service Divisions during a thirty-day investigation, held recently to discover the amount of damage in handling parcel post mail and the causes of such damage, it was found that in 52.31 per cent of the cases damage was caused by improper preparation of the parcels by senders. The result of this investigation may be summarized as follows: Cases of damage caused by improper preparation of sender 2,207 Cases of damage caused by improper handling by postmaster 107 Cases of damage caused by improper handling by Railway Mail Service employes 43 Cases of damage caused by improper handling by railroad employes 54 Cases of damage from miscellaneous causes 188 Cases of damage from unknown causes 1,620 ------ Total 4,219