New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-12-26

The postal carriage of a letter weighing twelve
ounces costs therefore, nine times as IL ucn uFrs IS
il does in Great Britain and Ireland. Ir'I6t 81
the wei ht. If sent by mail ron one STREE 20
the nsxt II Nav York City, would be charged y
cents. six times as much ~ wo!ld sniIct 10
traus Il from Edinburgh 10 LONDON II Ius ulCeu
States pOS-G flee cannot adopt the British tarlH IN
It's entirety let 10 at least undertake the general
conveyance OF lett-rs at the rate OF cents Tor
eysry ounce or fraction of an ounce. Such reform
would be boon TO manv people. ana would Ge an
earnest Of further improvement. moreover Sh
ii oroughly con -inced that u would pay.
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. lhom'S !, JtmFs 4 %
asked by a RBCNE reporter 10 give nlS views IN
regard To the above statements IN repiF nc sdiu
that lie did not cOyet any prominence III ulScussICIs
affecting tie POst-Oiice since the severance CT us
connection with II. "On the pOlnt OF cheap post
age he continued. d" expressed myself fully Ia my
report 70 Congress- when | was connected "ItL the
department. ny the views there put toTth am
willing to stand \ close comparison caEnot Oe
made of the British and American systems on ae-
count of the very wide difference IN the cOnu'Ious
upder which each system is operated. lhVor.
however the carrying or letters IN the great citles
al l cent pcr half ounce, and also general teduc-
ton in the rates Of postage on other thau diop
letters 10 cents per half ounce do not regard ~
as practica bic at auy rate for the Government 70
increase with any pIOtt the weight Iiihl on oltsIe
from half an ounce TO one ounce. Cousllol Ihe
matter OF increasing the efficiency OF the serVl 10
be of as great importance as postage feuuClion'
The large cities, TOT instance shouiI nave uoIe
daily deliveries. On this point should wIsn 10
reitetat- my formerly expressed vlevs-that punHc
ypiuiou and Justice to the department demahl lHat
the OF the railway lldll ScINlte siOu' NC IT,
duccd. Nothing should he done IN tbls ducciloh'
however except after the subject has been tL"r-
on1ilv investigated on a uusiness-like basis. 10
deserves the most careful considerations mere HAS
always been on the part OF the railroad companies
disposition 20 enforce their own terms when they
deal with the Government II the pay OF this
branch OF the postal service should be adlusi't
with a view to securing equity and lustice To h"'
the departn eut and the railroad companies; ~"
convinced that great saving could he elected As
a rnle the great trunk line ROADS arc undergrad anu
the smaller lines ov6Tpaid for their services to the
Government. -
The greater part of the expense OF TINS branch OF
the postal ice caused by the law winch coH-
pels the Pust-Ufice Department 10 :rform the
duties Of a cCmmun carrier. II ~ required TO con-
very bulky merchandise generally at a postage
price which is less than what the Government is
compel led To pay for the transportation. Ia some
cases tie loss 20 the depar ment is much - per
cent. Must u this acknowledgements business
s done between far slant points, tie more limited
territories al AGENT to tie large centres Delng
served by the express companies. In addition 10 ITS
d rect cost, which think drN ours n large part OF
the profit on ordinary pOst-cice work, tue trans
pOrtatiOu OF merchandise by the Govern meDt taxes
the facilities OF the various postOcrs severely. III
Crsare, tho abors Of the employees attached TO them
and wears ont rapidly the postal cars.
Until this evil is remedIcd cheaper posi- age can
not he loogel for Its removal Is the first requisite
toward transferring the Post Office Department be-
y0nd the sslf-sustaiuing position winch Il has
reached IN order TO enable rates to be reduced. II
il IS not deemed desirable TO abandon the present
system of merchandise transportation BY the Gov
eminent the charges for this service should be IN
scl IA cover It's