New-York tribune., 1873-03-13
POSTAL. CARS
POsTNA ASTER-G GENERAL CREswELL'S OPINION or
THE SUBJECT OF ADDITIONAL REMUNER
ALTON FOR THEM.
PRESS DIsPATCH.I


ALTON FOR THEM
GENERAL PRESS DIsPATCH
WASHINGTON, March 12.-During the pen
dency before Congress at it's late session OF the bill
making appropriations for the service OF the PosOce
Department for tho fiscal year ending Soth Of June 1874
winch contained appropriation Of $4,000 for increase
OF compensation for the transportation Of the mails on
the railroad routes the propretors Of number Of lead
ing roads among them the Pennsy vanis the NewYork
Central and Hudson River the Erie the Sew-York New
Haven and Hartford, the Boston and Albany and the
Philadelphia wilmington and Baltimore. submitted TO
the Committee Of the two Houses paper IN the
form OF notice the POstmasterGenera that unless
the companies paid for transporting the mails IN
postoce cars the rate OF 40 cents per eightwhee
car per mile run and at proportionate rate for por
tons Of cars occupied for railway POstOfces and 10
cents per mile for postoce agents riding in passenger
cars the comuanes could not consent 70 provide and
run railway pOstoce after the first day OF April
next but would return the mode Of transportation IN
use before such were used.
since the passage OF the bill the POstmasterGeDeral
has been summoned by the President Of the Philadelphia
Wilmington and Baltimore Railroad Company, repre-
senting all the companies TO respond TO the notice
mentioned. The Postmaster General has jast
Piled citing from the act approved March 3. lS7S the
paragraph authorizing the increase Of compensa-
uon. and remarking that on a route carry
ing the weight Of mails shown in the latest
returns from the Pennsylvania Railroad route NO 34O
between Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. say 1900 pounds
per day. and providing a double daily line OF railway
postooe cars largest dimensions, the rate under
tins law would SeO per mile per 60 per cent
over the maximum compensation, 1915 per mile per
anuum heretofore allowed by law. He adds:
shall take great pleasure in carrying ont this pro
vision OF the law IL RESPECTS both the roads referred 10
In the notice dated Jan q, 1873 above mentioned ana
an others This the OulY answer which II IA IN my
DOwer 10 make 10 your inquiry upon the part Of the rail
road companies who that notice. whether or not
he the Intention Of POstOfce Department 20 meet
the views OF the railroad companies 70 the terms upon
which they can continue 70 furnish and run POstO1ce
railroad cars after the 3st the law itself Is indeed the
answer returned Dy Congress- before whom, you are
aware OF the railroad companies we're falt-
fully represented when the paragraph cited was pend
Iua III is not less response TO the recommendations
made in each OF annual reports Tor careful reVls
ion by Congress of the subject OF railroad compensation,
win A view 70 the establishment of rates Just and
equitable 20 all concerned; and as this favorable
aTrion the first time OBJ
tanned in answer these reiterated recommendations of
mine the reports Of my predecessors IN
Office having furnished precedent for my
action in the case, the present moment would
appear 80 singularly inOppOrtune for the with
drtwal by the railroad the facilities Tor the
rapid and distribution OF malls on account
of which tins very considerable increase OF cOmpensa
will consent the attitude before the public IN
which such a withdrawal would place them.
This answer Of the Postmaster General viii be laid be-
fore meeting Of the Eastern Railroad Association. to
convene in New-Y5rk on the 18Th inst. aud ths OF
The controversy on either hand Will be matter Of pub
Lie interest