The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1873-03-31
The Pogtal car couIrOver ".

WASHINGTON, March 90, 1873. =
In opposition TO the statement Of tht
Railroad Companies, TO the effect tha
none Of those who provided and run the
postotiice cars hereafter received dollar
more compensation on that account
The Postmaster General shows in letter
TO the Attorney General, that in cases In
which the utmost compensation fixed by
law had not been rcaChd, the Department
paid additional rates averaging from $40
to $26 per mile, per annum for cars oI
this description, running once a day in
each direction; that these additional rates
had generally been readily, and sometimes
eagerly, accepted by tho Companies.
The PostOffice appropriation act OF latest
session allows compensation at rates rang
ing from $25 TO $50 per mile per anCum
for postal cars running once day each
way, and does away with restriction
whereby under provision OF laws, roads
now receiving highest ratespf pay were
prevented from receiving any additional
compensation on account OF running
OF postal cars. -rL .t.s.ca-.
The Postmaster General In his letter,
propounds several important interroga-
tarieS. Referring ~ companies who
threaten, he says; "The roads they control
centering at New York, the important in.
terests entrusted TO It's custody arc thus
imperilled. Willyou, therefore, please, at
the earliest moment practicable, Commu-
nicate tome your opinion upon points, TO-
wit:
First. If Rsilroad Companies refuse
TO carry agents in charge thereof for
tho conn pensation prescribed by law, has
the government as represented by the
Post Office Department a right, and is II
It's duty, to convey mail agents on cars Of
its own over said roads?
Second. II Railroad Companies offer 10
carry mails as freight or baggage, and re-
fuse To- provide postal cars and carry
clerks to distribute said mails, is 1t the
right of the government to run cars for
due distribution and delivery Of the said
mNilsg y,...... ... ... ........
Third. Isit not within the exclusive
power Of the Department to interpret or
inforce the laws soIar as 10 determine
what ID right aud proper in thewHy ol
accommodations. Safe guards for 0es.
patch, Transportation and Distribution Of
Mails require compliance Herewith on
the part OF Railroad Companies.
Fourth. Can the Department make
greater compensation to railroad compa.
nies than that prescribed in the act OF
March Sd, 1872.
Filth. In case railroad companies re-
fuse to run postal cars as heretofore for
the compensation prescribed, advise this
Department as to the extent OF and ma
ture Of It's powers. The execution of
their threat would entail consequences
80 serious that feel constrained 10 in
quire whether the Government, in its
management Of the immense postal in.
terests Of It's citizens, in whose behalf 1t
acts, can be thus at the mercy Of CorpOr-
alton orparties by whom this menace is
offered, or whether, under laws declaring |
all railroads post roads and making 1t the
duty Of the Postmaster General to provide
for the carrying oil mails on all post roads
or under any other law or laws the Gov
ernment possesses sufficient power or can
have recourse to suitable means to protect
them under existing legislation, 10 pro-
vide against delays and inconvenlences
resulting therefrom.
SiTh. Has Congress power to confer
upon this Department greater authority
and control over the railroads Of the
country in connection with the postal
service than that now, possessed? If so,
state the extent and scope Of legislative
power in that direction.