Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 84 Part 1.djvu/819

 84 STAT. ]

PUBLIC LAW 91-375-AUG. 12, 1970

761

"' (7) simplicity of structure for the entire schedule and simple, identifiable relationships between the rates or fees charged the various classes of mail for postal services; and "(8) such other factors as the Commission deems appropriate. "§3623. Mail classification " (a) Within 2 years after the effective date of this subchapter, the Postal Service shall request the Postal Rate Commission to make a recommended decision on establishing a mail classification schedule in accordance with the provisions of this section. " (b) Following the establishment of the mail classification schedule requested under subsection (a) of this section, the Postal Service may from time to time request that the Commission submit, or the Commission may submit to the Postal Service on its own initiative, a recommended decision on changes in the mail classification schedule. " (c) The Commission shall make a recommended decision on establishing or changing the schedule in accordance with the policies of this title and the following factors: " (1) the establishment and maintenance of a fair and equitable classification system for all mail; "(2) the relative value to the people of the kinds of mail matter entered into the postal system and the desirability and justification for special classifications and services of mail; "(3) the importance of providing classifications with extremely high degrees of reliability and speed of delivery; "(4) the importance of providing classifications which do not require an extremely high degree of reliability and speed of delivery; "(5) the desirability of special classifications from the point of view of both the user and of the Postal Service; and "(6) such other factors as the Commission may deem appropriate. " (d) The Postal Service shall maintain one or more tlasses of mail for the transmission of letters sealed against inspection. The rate for each such class shall be uniform throughout the United States, its territories, and possessions. One such class shall-prpvide for the most expeditious handling and transportation afforded mail matter by the Postal Service. No letter of such a class of domestic origin shall be opened except under authority of a search warrant authorized by law, or by an officer or employee of the Postal Service for the sole purpose of determining an address at which the letter can be delivered, or pursuant to the authorization of the addressee. "§3624. Recommended decisions of Commission " (a) The Postal Rate Commission shall promptly consider a renuest made under section 3622 or 3623 of this title, except that the Commission shall not recommend a decision until the opportunity for a hearing on the record under sections 556 and 557 of title 5 has been accorded to the Postal Service, users of the mails, and an officer of the Commission who shall be required to represent the interests of the general public. " (b) I n order to conduct its proceedings with utmost expedition consistent with procedural fairness to the par^^ies, the Commission may (without limitation) adopt rules which provide for— "(1) the advance submission of written direct testimony; "(2) the conduct of prehearing conferences to define issues, and for other purposes to insure orderly and expeditious proceedings; "(3) discovery both from the Postal Service and the parties to the proceedings;

80 Stat. 386.

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