Mass Mailers get Go-Ahead

[utzoo!decvax!ucbvax!menlo70!sri-unix!mike at BMD70]

From:      Michael Muuss <mike at BMD70>
>From the Business World column of The Sun, Saturday, January 2, Baltimore MD:

Mass Mailers get Go-Ahead

Washington (AP) - The U.S. Count of Appeals has cleared the way for the
Postal Service to begin Monday a new computerized mail system designed
to benefit mass mailers.  A count panel ruled yesterday that it
would not grant an injunction sought by the Justice Department to
prevent the service from starting until legal arguments could be heard.

The new service, known as ECOM, will allow mass mailers to hook
their computers into new Postal Service computers in 25 cities.  The
mailers' computers will transmit address lists and the texts of letters,
and the new service is expected to be used mainly for financial
statements, fund-raising letters, and recall announcements.

Mailers wishing to use the system will be required to pay a $50 annual
fee and establish an advance deposit account for paying ECOM chrges,
which will be 26 cents for the first page, and 5 cents for the second page of
each electronic letter.  The letters will be printed, stuffed in envelopes,
and addressed in the post office.

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Anybody on the net planning to join up?  Would certainly take the bother out
of sending (paper) mail to folks who are not on the net!  I wonder what
addresses would be like?  "9522 Perry Hall Blvd at Zip-212361234" @ USPS ?
		-Mike