New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-06-11
MR.. ELMER TO BE SUSTAINED.
IBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE.l

WASHINGTON. June 10.-Some of the criticisms
upon the action OF the Second Assistant Postmaster
General in ordering mail service on the new route
from Fort Niobrsra, Nebraska, to Rapid City, OAK,
are harsh and unreasonable The Postmaster
General is fair and ipst man. General Gresham
has carefully looked into the Nobrara contract and
has satisfied himself that the action of Mr.. Elmer
was honest and that the contract was made on fair
terms for the Government with the lowest bidder
Mr.. Elmer will, therefore, be sustained. Whether
or not the service shall be continued will be def
nitely settled after further investigation.
An examination of the post route map shows
that three mail routes converge at Rapid
City. One of these - the one about
which Senator Van Wyck complains
begins at Fort Niobrara and is 1876 miles long. Over
this the mail is TO be carried six times week at q
yearly cost of $12960 Another route, 199 miles
long, begins at Pierre and over this the mail IS car
ried seven times week. The third route begins at
Sidney and is 253 miles long The original contract
called for daily service at yearly cost of $16,32O
but this now reduced to $40 600 for service three
times week. The cost OF the three routes is there
fore SO $50 than the cost OF the two original
routes, aud instead of fourteen trips week IN ALL
sixteen trips week are to be made. Fort Niobrara
is the present western terminus OF railroad which
is to connect Omaha with Rapid City and the Black
Hills regiou.
GOVERNMENT CLAIMS TO BE PRESSED.
STAR ROUTE CONTRACTORS SUED TO RECOVER
ERCHARGES-ARBIIRATI0NI ILLEGAL
WASHINGTON, June 10.-0n June IL, 1882,
agreements were made between George Bliss Assistant
United States Attorney, and r. G. Ingersol, attorney
for sasburys and the Parkers aud others interested
with each OF these combinations OF Star Route coDtac
tors refer the claims OF the Government for alleged
overpayments routes 35o40 Fargo to Pembina, ,Dak
36,I2s, Silver Bow 70 New.Chicago, Mon. 45, 1872,
Wells TO Hamilton, New. 46120. soedad TO Newhsl'
Cal, and 81. .024 veuita, Indian Territory, 10 Las
Norw 10 al EIpna Agata
tant Postmaster 5eneral, George Bliss any that
might be designated by him. and Robert G. Ingerso
any that might be designated by him. Copies OF the
agreements transmitted TO Mr. Elmer by Mr. Bliss
with letter Of October 23. 1882, and November 81
1882, the original agreements also transmitted
with letter from mr. Bliss, substituting H. ID. Lyman
In his place arbitration. however did proceed
because found necessary obtain additional in
formation two OF the routes embraced in the subms
sion and this information Mr. Elmer proceeded 10
He has secured ii upon route and has not completed
his inquiries in the other.
Pending inquiries Mr.. Elmer by letter OF Novem
ber 49, 1882 directed the attention OF the Postmaster
General Mr. Howe to the provisions Of sect 4057 OF
the Revised Statutes which declare in substance that
when any have been wrongfuIly paid by Of
fae statements in mail service, the Postmater General
must sue the recovery thereof and asked his advice
and directions TO the he should pursue In Wow
of the proposed settlement OF the by arbitration.
The OF opinion that the agree
ments not valid and binding either the Gov
ernment tho other parties, and that award would
not conclude either party, and November 25, 1882
he addressed O letter TO the Attorney General
requesting his opinion upon the agreements
The Attorney General on December 2S 1882,
replied that It was "dlneut to imply
power in the Attorney General 10 submit
to arbitration case in which the Posipaster-General
ia specially directed suit 10 be brought. As
question Of law therefore, the right Of submission
To be IN seTious doubt" He further indicated that the
proper course wonld be institute suits, when under
The Authority Of the Court the arbrators after appoint
ment could proceed regularly.
The investigation having been completed in one OF the
two heretofore mentioned and an inquiry In rela
tiOn TO another route namely No 44,d27 Willow
Ranch Cal, 10 Reno, New, having developed facts
sufficient TO warrant procetd diDgs Tor recovery, Mr.
Elmer directed the attention OF the
General Gresham TO the suggested In Wow OF
the opinion OF the Attorney Gencra that steps be taken
looking 10 proceedings for recovery In accordance with
the statute cited Accordingly on June D., the usual
course Of action In such adopted Ghe amount
sued FOR In the five already stated VIII be
$500 Other TO follow against the persons
named, as well us against Others.
THE STAR ROUTE TRIAL NEAR AN END.
WAsHINGToN, juno 10.-In the Star Route
lao hear IN IN unon Tho nravars