Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1873-03-31
POSTAL CAR CONTROVERSY.
Uncle Sam and the Railroad Companies
at LOggerheads-T Latter Want
More Pay.
The POstOfIiee Department Puts Six
Very Pertinent QuestiOns-Seizure
Threatened.

-
of the presidents of the various trunk
railroads in the pOstal-car controversy
held here this afternoon, it was decided
to continue the running of pOstal-cars
pending the action of the special COM
mittee on the part of the senate, to re-
port upon the relations of the pOstoffice
department with railroads, and a letter
to that effect sent to the postmaster
general on behalf of the various roads.
Agent Bangs, of the postoffice depart
ment was present, and argued that the
appointment of this committee was evil
deuee that congress was disposed to deal
equitably with the companies.
WASHINGTON, March 29.-In cpposi-
ton to the statement Of railroad COM
panies to the effect that none of those
who provided to run railway pOstoffice
cars had heretofore received one dollar
more compensation on that account,
the postmaster-general shows, in let
ter addressed to the encouragement,
that in cases in which the utmost
limit of compensation fixed by law
had not been reached, the depart
ment paid additional rates ranging
from ten to twenty-five dollars per mile
per annum for cars of this description,
IuHuluB OuCC III u1ICGlIOuy
and that these additional rates have
generally been readily, and sometimes
eagerly, accepted by the companies.
The postOffice appropriation act of the
late session allows compensation at
rates ranging from twenty-five to fifty
dollars per mile per annum to
postal cars running once a day
each way. This does away with
restriction, whereby under previous
laws receiving the highest rate of pay
were prevented from receiving any ad-
ditional compensation on account of
running postal cars. The postmaster
general in his letter propounds several
very important interrogatories. Refer
ring to companies who threaten, he says
the roads they control, centering at
New York. The execution of their
threat would entail consequences so seri-
Gus that | feel constrained to inquire
whether the government in its manage
ment of the immense postal interests OF
its citizens, in whose behalf it acts, can
thus be at the mercy of corporations or
parties like these by whom this menace
is offered, or whether under the laws
declaring that ali railroads are necessar-
lily postaIs. s.rOads, and making it the duty
of the postmaster-general to provide for
the carriage of mail on all pOst-roads, OF
under any other law or laws, the gov
eminent possesses sufficient power, OF
can have recourse to suitable means, to
protect the important interests intrust-
ed to its custody thus imperiled. Will
you, therefore, be pleased at the earliest
moment practicable, to communicate to
me your opinion on these points, to-wit
First-If railroad companies refuse to
carry agents in charge thereof, for COM
pensation as prescribed by law, has the
government, as represented by the post
office department, the right? Is it its
duty to convey mail-agents in cars of its
own over said roads?
Second = If railroad companies
offer TO carry mails as freight OF
baggage, and refuse to provide
postal-c cars and carry clerks to dis
Tribute said mails, is it right for the
government to run cars for the due dis
tribution and delivery of said mails!
Thirds is not within the exclusive
power of the department to interpret
and enforce the law in so far as to deter
mine what isthe right and proper way oi
accommodations. The safeguards foT
the transportation and distribution Of
the mails require a compliance there
with on the part of railroad COM
panies.
Fourth-Can the department. make
greater compensation to railroad
companies than that prescribed in the
act of March 8, 1873.
Fifth-In case the railroad COM
panies refuse to run postal-cars as
heretofore for the compensation
prescribed, advise this department
as to the extent and nature of its
powers under existing legislation, so as
to provide against delays and inconve-
niences resulting therefrom.
Sixth-Has congress power to confer
upon this department greater authority;
control over railroads, country connec-
ton with postal service, than that now
possessed? If so, state the extent and
scope of legislative power in that di-
reetiOn.
The Richmond Enquirer announces