The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1876-09-29
RAILWAY COMMISSION.
Advantages of the Fast Mall Con.
aidered.

BtOeIeOs
This morning at half past II O'Clock
at the Grand Hotel, the above Commits
sion, appointed under an act Of Con-
gress approved July IL, 1875, to "ex-
anime into the subject Of transportation
Of the mails by railroad companies, and
report to Congress such rules and reg
ulations for such transportation and
rates Of compensation therefor, as shall,
in their opinion, be just and expedient,
and enable the Department to fulfill
the required and necessary service for
the publlc"-met in the gentlemen's
parlor for the transaction Of the busi-
ness pertaining to this locality. The
commission Is composed Of Hon. Gard
ner 81. Hubbard, OF Cambridge, Mass,
Chairman; Hon. Frank. W. Palmer, of
Chicago, and Ex-Mayor Daniel NJ. Fox,
of Philadelphia. Secretary, George A.
Bassett, of jamestown, New York.
The Commission has already visited
Philadelphia, Washington anu Chicago,
and will 20 from here to Louisville,
Nashville and st. Louis, and ultimately
10 the Pacific Slope, and when through
with the principal cities of the country
will assemble in Washington to prepare
their report and recommendations for
presentation to Congress.
POSTMASTER WAHLE'S REPORT.
Mr.. Gustav Wahle, Postmaster, who,
with other gentlemen, met the Commits
sion by appointment this morning, pre-
sented report as follows:
"The advantage derived from the fast
mail to the thrifty manufacturing towns
OF OHIO has not been fully appreciated
by the general public. The great trunk
lines leading to the East form the chan
mel through which the wonderful com.
merce of this section passes to the sea-
board. On the withdrawal of the fast
mail the loss was felt by the small as
we'll as the large operator, and to learn of
the extent thereof it Is only necessary
to come in contact with the many, when
almost invariably their expression is
that great advantage has been lost to
them. 1t is believed that loud protest
would have gone out upon its with
drawal had 1t not been believed that the
action of Congress made such a course
an imperative necessity.
"The fast mail should be restored for
the following reasons:
~. The quickest possible transmits
sion of mail matter Is desired by all
alike.
"2. 1t is of the greatest Importance to
the business man, saving money that
must be expended in telegraphing, if
the present slow system remains.
"3. The delay is felt not only In the
large cities, but in every town and
county seat throughout the State, as all
smaller railway lines arrange their time
cards so as to connect with the fastest
trains on the trunk lines; and in this
way twenty-iour hours is frequently
gained for delivery OF matter at import
ant towns and cities located OH cross
lines. Also is the postal-car system
desired, as matter distributed in
transit is not subjected to
delays incident to distribution at D. P.
offices. For instance, the postal car
arriving here at A. NJ. would briug
mails from Pittsburg, Philadelphia and
New York and from the following towns
and cities In Ohio: Steubenvil!e, Zanes-
vile, Newark, Mt. Vernon, Coshocton,
Cadl2, Columbus, Xenia, London and a
hundred smaller places. In this mail
there would be at least five hundred
letters ior the Ohio & Mississippi Road
alone, all of which would be delayed
hours il not distributed
while on the cars. The same is true Of
mail matter belonging ON the Kentucky
Central Road, indianapolis, Cincinnati
g. Lafayette and all lines out of This city.
A letter now put into the New
York Office on Monday afternoon at
5 O'Clock, leaves on the Pacific express
at s O'Clock. 1t runs through to Pitts
burg and is there held until Wednesday
at 1850 A.. Nj, for there is no
mail on the train that leaves Pittsburg
Tor this city at an early hour. 1t is due
N this city on train No. 6, which
,hould arrive here at 2:50; it
;akes twenty minutas to bring
,he mail to the Post.ofice, and
few minutes more for the distribution, |
Il the train is on time, the letter Will Ee |
n the box OF the man for whom it is des-
ined at little after $3.50 o'clock. But
he banks close az 3, and ii the tram
happened to be delayed, as is frequently
he case, 1t may be 8 O'Clock before the
etter is delivered, and OF course the
business man does not receive it until
be next third day cut from
Sew York.
"This is very slow work as compared I
With that which was done before the fast
nail service was interrupted. Under
hat service letters were delivered with
promptness and dispatch that was ex-
gratifying to the business men
'fthis city,"