Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1878-11-07
Z. s. Mail Transportation.
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE SECOND ASSISTANT POST
MASTER GENERAL

ANNUAL REPORT OF THE SECOND ASSISTANT POST
MASTER GENERAL.
The annual report OF Gen. Thomas j. Brady,
the second assistant post master general ,'or the
fiscal year ended June 30th, 1878, has been
prepared for the postmaster general. The
document is of unusual length, and the figures
and recommendations that it contains, especial
ly those that refer to the railroad service. are
OF more than ordinary interest. 1t appears
tfat the cost OF inland transportation for the
ter OF railroad, steamboat and star routes over
the previous year was esq., in the aggre yate
length 9.l46 miles and in the annllal cost
Sf49, 1926. The small increase OF 3S4 miles in the
steamboat routes as compared with that OF last
year which was 2,s02 miles is owing principally
to changes in Florida. by which steamboat SER
vice was discontinued.
The appropriation for railway mail transpor-
tat10n during the year was So, 900. The ac-
tual cost, so far as adjustments were COM
pleted. was So, ,566595, which is at the rate OF
$Sl6595 per annum in excess Of the apprOpria-
ton. The difficulty, amounting almost TO an
nnposslD1l1ty, OF preventing deficiency OF this
KIND, is explained by the report. 1t is the duty
of the department to provide for the transpor-
tatiOn OF all mailable matter which may be pre-
sented in the form prescribed by law. By act
OF congress certain rates OF compensation are
10 De paid for certain average weights of mails
per day. and also certain rates for the compen-
sation OF railway post office cars. AS the Post
master General has neither the authority nor
the power to limit the amount of mail matter to
be forwarded, which represents about 80 per
cent. of the cost Of railroad transportation, and
as lie does not prescribe the rates to be paid,
duce the expenditures for this purpose to the
amount appropriated. These are-nrSt by dis
continuing the mail service on certain roads:
and, second, by disseminating lines of railroad
post Office cars, until the cost is reduced to the
required figure. But owing to the laws which
regulate the distribution Of mails over new
railroads. the cost of new service is not deter
mined until the greater part OF the fiscal year
has expired. The necessity OF reweighing M Ill
matter, in many instances, is another difficulty.
1t Is therefore, not easy to prevent deficiency.
year is s9,1OO,0od. It is definitely ascertained
that 100000 additional will be required to cover
the cost OF service for 1919. If no further funds
are supplied by Congress, service to the above
amount must be discontinued.
1t is estimated that SO $50 900 will be required
for 1850: The large immigration into the unda-
Veloped farming and mineral lands of the we ,t,
northwest and southwest. creating necessity
for railways and the facilities for constructing
railroads cheaply at the present day,
viii doubtless cause the amount re iu!red
reads to be greater than it has been for
tie last three years. AS the increase from this
cause was 66 per cent. in 1871. in spite of the
hand times, it Is reasonably considered that the
increase for 1880 will be nearly per cent, and
on this theory the estimate is based.
Reference is made TO the dissatisfaction of the
railroads with the reduction OF per cent. In the
rates OF compensation recently made by Con
gfeSS The greater number have entere formal
protest against the reduction, claiming that
corresponding decrease in service should be
made. and asserting that they continue to per-
Term the service temporarily only on account of
the Inconvenience which their refusal would
cause TO men Of business on their respective
liGeS.
In order to bring about maximum degree of
usefulness in the railroads in their proper work
1t is recommended that the delivery of mai S
from stations to post offices be performed by
the government. Reasons for the recommendi-
ton are given. The idea presented by the rail-
way commission that some arrangement can
probably be made with the railroad express
companies TO perform side service for sum not
exceeding $I5O.CGO Is not cOncurIed in. Large
savings in such service have been made in the
past by inviting competition, and it is believed
that tie most reasonable rates can be obtained
by pursuing the same plan in the future.
opinion Is given that the proposed law making
space, speed and frequency the basis OF co.npen-
sation to railroads contempateS a decided i'm
prOvement on the present method, in which
weight is the basis. 1t is suggested. however
that gauge expressly stating the amount OF
space to be used win be necessary, and that its
establish ment should be the work of Congress
An elabt rate plan CT gauging the space is sub
ln1tted for the consideration Of Congress in con-
ncctiCn with the bill.
After correcting few inaccuracies in the re-
port OF the railway commission, a comparison OF
present service and rates with those of previ-
Gus years is made. In 1884 the average rate Pc.
mile OF annual transportation was 90 cents. In
1861 the average rate was IL. Is cents. In 1877
1t was 10.5 cents Notwithstanding the great
increase in the weight OF mails carried and the
improved facilities provided for its distribution
III transit, the rate is bIt nine mills more than
in 1854: The growth Of the railway mail ser
vice Will correspond to the increase in the ma
tons population. 1t is wrong, consequently, to
look for reduced expenditures from year to year
under this head, or to expect the amount which
will be required TO pc accurately fixed.
AS the duties OF the officer who SuperintendS
the adjustment OF railroad accounts, involving
the expenditure Of more than nine million dol
lars each year, are !aborious and OF great re-
SpOnS1billty, 1t is recommended that his salary
be increased to at least 900 a year, and that
he be recognized as superintendent Of railway
ADJUSTMENTS" It is suggested that the Post
nate uniform to be worn by any or all en-
ployes OF the posta lservice, and that a penalty
be fixed for the wearing OF the uniform by one
not entitled to do SO. 1t is recommended that
the present classification OF railway messengers
into mail route messengers, route agents, &C.,
be abolished.
There were ass 479 mail bags, 1855 mail locks
and 5.51S mail keys distributed during the year
A reduction in expenses under this head Was
made over the previous year Of $25, ,365.15,' or
more than Is per cent
The aggregate estimate for 1880 for mail trans
portattOn and the items incident thereto is
$40, ,7eO 600. The aggregate amount apprOpriat I'd
for the current year is SIS, 106,6,3. The estimate
shows an increase OF s. 1927, or about lis per
cent.
General Brady brings his report to a close by
recommending the re-enactment Of the former
law by which the Postmaster General was au-
thOr1Zed, when immediate service was required
or new route was established, to make tenn
rorary contract, without advertising, for a
period not to exceed twelve months. The time
was subsequently limited to six months, caus-
ing embarrassment in the work OF the Office,
making necessary additional miscellaneous ad-
vertisementS every year, and thus increasing
expense and labor without any apparent ad-
vantage.
GEN. EsCoREDo, the Mexican revolutionary
general reported to have been sentenced at the
city OF Mexico to be shot, has been bailed and
permitted to enjoy personal liberty on account
Of i'll health.
A MURDERER BROUGHT BACK.-On the steam
ship Nevada, which arrived at New York yes
day, was the murderer Peter FrOman, OF Charles
ton, S. G. He is charged with killing his partner
in business. He fed to London. The sheriff OF
Charleston followed him with a U. S. warrant
and arrested him.
THE MEXICAN EXPOSITION.-The proposed
American and Mexican exhibition at Vera Cruz
will probably be fixed upon for November of
next year, as visitors will not be exposed to vel
low fever In Vera Cruz after November l.
ONCE MORE A SOLID SOUTH.-COngratulati
will not be in order until the country sees how
the thing WOrkS.-[N. Y. Herald.
THE CRIME A GIRI-NanV instances hava