'Pony express' hitched up in race with postal service

Staging a publicity stunt ''race'' between the US Postal Service and a horse, Idaho Sen. Steven Symms (R) said he plans to introduce a bill to let private companies deliver mail in competition with the government agency.

The announcement came one day after the cost of mailing a first-class letter rose from 18 to 20 cents.

Senator Symms dropped a stamped letter in a mailbox outside a Senate office building, then handed an unstamped duplicate letter to a horse rider. Both letters were addressed to the mayor of Harpers Ferry, W.Va.

No word yet on who won.