Historical data were analyzed in order to determine whether or not postal rate increases preceded, were simultaneous with, or followed increases or declines in Third Class mail as well as First Class mail volume. Results showed positive significant correlations between mail rate increases and mail volume for both kinds of mail under all three conditions. However, after controlling for the number of U.S. households at a given time, it was found that in the case of Third Class mail there was a statistically significant relationship only in those instances when postal rate increases were preceded by increases in mail volume.
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