New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-10-07
WASHINGTON.
pOST-OFFICE AFFAIRS.

fOSI-OfFlCE AtfAJhc.
EMBARRASSMENT CAUSED BY THE INCREASED PAY
FOR MAIL TRANsPORrATIoN-THE CONGRESS
IoNAL APPROPRIATION INSUFFICIENT TO MEET
THE DEMANDs-TROUBLE IN PROCURING STAMPED
ENVELOPES AND WRAPPERS.
WASHINGTON, Oct. 6.-POstmaster-G General
Jewell finds himself somewhat embarrassed In regard to
the heavy increase OF pay railroad transportation OF
the mails which was authorized under the act OF March
g. 1873 1t appears that by that act, the Postmaster
General was directed to Iewegh the mails and readust
the pay ali railroads in the United States. This has
been done to very great extent and payments under
the readjustments have been promptly made by the De-
partment The reweghng Of the mails ordered to DO
done in October 1879 There appropriation made
OF 100000 for this increased payment and about s2oo
was also appropriated for the usual yearly increase in
the mails. 1t now appears that. under this readust-
men the increase In the pay OF railroads already made
amounts to 900 IN round numbers and the Depart
ment estimates that there is 100000 more due on ac-
counts yet to be presented or adjusted. The Post
masterGeneral Saturday had his attention called to
warrant being made in favor Of the NewYork Central
and Hudson River Railroad Company, amounting to
more than for increased pay for mail service for
the ended June 80, 1874. Upon examining the ap-
preparations 1t was found that more money
had been spent in this direction than was
appropriated, and the Postmaster General ordered
this voucher to be suspended and all other adjustments
for increased service during that year to be also sus
pended until Congress shall have made an appropria-
ton therefor To show how much this act augments the
cost Of railroad transportation it is noticed that the In
crease on the Erie Railroad for instance was from 1915
per mile to &705 per mile. amounting to $323,oOo per
annum. instead OF sl75oOo, which had been the price
heretofore paid The increase the NewYork Central
Is more than 100000 which, though due under the law
cannot be paid. II is subject of remark, however
at the Department, that, while the mails were
reweighed in October, q 1873, : the railroad
company and others did not return the weights
until the middle Of September, 1874 that. while they
collected the amount due there for regular service at
the beginning Of each quarter this 100000 was not asked
for until the 1st OF October 1914, nine months after 1t
might have been demanded and received under the re-
weighing There now appears to be way Of obtaining
the money until Congress makes an appropriation to
provide for It, The responsibility for this condition OF
affairs the Department to be chareeabe partly
to the nsuicency Of the Congressional appropriation,
and partly the delay Of the railroad companies In
making their returns.
The Government is practically out Of stamped en-
veopes and newspaper wrappers In the mail received
yesterday Of over 10000 letters the greater part
acquisitions and orders for stamped envelopes. Last
night the time allowed the Plympon Company Of Mass
achusetts to get ready for work expired, and to-day
three acquisitions each for very large quantity OF
these envelopes and wrappers, went forward. The re-
suit will that the company will fail to execute the
first order and it cannot perform the work needed
for month"; the contract will be forfeited The next
lowest bidder is the old contractor Reay of New York.
and the probabilities that within few days the
work will be given to him. The Postmaster has
taken ground that eniency to contractors is inuri
GUS the public service. The Supreme Court meets
next Monday, October H. Several justices have already
arrived The business Of the Court for the coming term
will be very great. The docket is two years be-
hind.