The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-04-11
TEE POSTAL CAR DIFFICULTY.
Third Session Of the United States Senate
Transportation Commitree-The Postal De-
partment Side Of the Question-What
Will Satisfy the Railroad Companies.

The third session of the United States Senate
Transportation Committee was held yesterday at
the Fifth Avenue Hotel.
Mr.. Hinckley at the outset read several ex-
tracts from correspondence and submitted in de-
tail number OF calculations as corroborative Of
his evidence in chief.
At the conclusion Of these statements by MIR
Hinckley the evidence on the part OF the railroad
companies was considered closed.
Mr.. Davies, Assistant superintendent OF the Rail-
road Postal Mail Service Department, read q
lengthy statement to the committee and also ex-
tracts from reports OF the Departments. In the
course Of them he said THE allegation that the
Department had promised the railroad companies
extra compensation for improved mail service ne
answered by stating that Postmaster Randall mad
said that existing contracts terminated the adj
vantages thereby gained would be considered. The
contracts showed from 1864 to 1868
GREAT INEQUALITIES
and Irregularities according to the statements OF
Postmaster Randall's report in 1868. He referred
In detail to the drafted bill OF the National Railroad
Convention last year. ana the consideration thereof
by the Congressional Mail Service Committee, and
annual reports OF Postmaster Creswell. A long list
OF routes, OF comparative payments on various rail-
road routes from 1867 1872, giving an increase OF
twenty per centson the latter year over the former
was shown. On Mr. Hinckley's road, II the weight in
the new law be the same as In September last the
rate OF compensation would be S4s3 per mile per
annum. Mr.. Worcester had stated that the
New York Central side roads it was promised by
the Department that increased rates would be paid
but the TACT was that
THE RATES
were increased after the service was performed
by MIR. Worcesters company. Roads carrying
small amounts do not fare worse than they did
under the law OF 1916, which is still unrepeaed.
The smaller road now reaches larger rate OF pay
in proportion to what 1t carries VIZ, SIS pennile
per annum. Tor 500 pounds day, for mail matter.
1t would be better to accept the increased rate
provided for in March, 1873, than to be compelled
TO accept scheme that would ultimately lend no
additional compensation. The regret expressed
by the representatives of the railroad companies
that Postmaster General Cresweil was not
present was shared by Mr.. Davies, but 1t was
enly fair 10 say that Postmaster Creswell had
gone to take much needed rest, and
that the testimony was taken by competent steno-
graphers, and no action would be taken by the De-
partment without consultation with the railroad
companies.
In renly TO Senator Davies the witness said that
The rate OF the Department was struck on an
average OF all the roads that charged $50 per mile
per annum that were found to carry 300 pounds
per day; the rule under the new law would be that
the roads carrying 5000 pounds day and furnish
fng suitable apartment shall be paid at the rate
OF So, 900 per mile, and for every additional 1000
pounds a day S25 shall be paid per day extra.
In reply to Senator Cassery Mr.. Davies said that
the advantages OF the postal car system was
A SAVING OF TIME
for distributions this proved beneficial to all classes
OF officers, and was OF course, special relief 10
continuance of the postal car system would be
that in the large post offices there would not be
Sufficient force TO distribute the contents of the
mail in any reasonable time; the witness said that
he had been connected with the Post ONCE De-
partment since 1858. and with the adjustment OF
the pay on the railroads as affecting the Depart
ment since 1857.
BY senator Conkling-A post Office on wheels
enables the Department. to do that work which it
would have TO do in building OF its own the fact
really was that letter Tor Baltimore from WASH
tngton would be delayed few hours or day If
there were no postal car.
by Mr.. Hinckey-
THE LAW OF 1s45
required more than daily service, but did not know
whether there were any lines that performed more.
BY Mr.. Worcester-lt was desirable that the De-
partment should obtain schedule Of time tables,
and there were cases in which the railroad COM
panies failed to make connection.
Mr.. Worcester answered that there was no oppo-
sition on the part OF the railroad companies to the
Department as to service, as far as trains we're
concerned.
In reply TO Mr. Harris. Of the Connecticut River
road, who inquired II there was any policy 10 do
Justice to companies who have not been remn-
herated as the department, according to Mr.
Davies desired Mr.. Davies replied that that was
question he would rather leave lor Postmaster
Cresswell.
ANOMALOUS CONVERSATIONS.
Mr.. Hinckley said in answer to senator Conk-
ling, that he understood and read II from the law
Al 1878, that the Postmaster demanded a forty
feet car and paid only the miserable stipend Of
tour cents per mile per day.
Mr.. Davies said he was unable to explain to Mr..
Hnckley why lie should be paid 81 GO on one part OF
his road and twelve cents on another part, which
was the rate now allowed by government.
Mr.. Hinckley. in reply to the Chairman, said that
he would rather not have the money OF the govern
ment, and let them take of their mail on his main
line, but that could not now be done.
In reply 10 Senator Casserly, Mr.. Hinckley said
that in conversation with Earl Cathness, the
other day-and his ordship was director in the
largest railway in the world, the London Il North
= 'Stcrn-Earl Caithness said that the British
roads made contract with government as be-
tween one party aud another, and II the govern
ment dld not pay the rates agreed upon by the
companies, respectively. why, said his lordship,
.'ihe railroads would soon leave the mail cars be-
hind, anu not take them" 1t was quite clear to
him, said Mr.. Hiiickley that the London l. North
western, would never have lost forty or fifty thou
sand dollars as had been done on his tMr. Hlnck-
ley'sl roads by carrying mali matter.
Nj. Worcester Illustrated to the committee
THE POWER THE DEPARTMENT HAD
over public accommodation by stating that IN a
case on the New York Central where train was
put on Tor making better time for d certain route
the Department desired the mails TO be added and
the company were compelled to take the train or.
Mr.. liinckley SAID, in reply 10 the Chairman,
that he believed all the roads would be content
with the following rate OF payment VIZ, thirteen
mills per neal foot, or thirty nine cents per car a
mile, per day.
The committee then adjourned until to-day at
eleven A. NJ, when counsel FOR the railroad com
panies VIII be heard on tile legal aspect OF the new
postal law.