National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1884-11-18
DISTRIBUTION OF MAILS.
second Assistant Postmaster General Lyman's
Report and RecOmmen datious,

Hon Henry D, Lyman, second assistant post.
master general, IN his annual report gives the
cost of inland mail transportation during the
last year at $1,000 H. of which s5OS9,9u was
for star route service, S59G,579 for steamboat
routes, and sl5,0l2,603 for railways. There was
an increase ofiO2 star routes with an increase of
S3jO,i63 in annual cost and of GO railway routes
6,952 miles,, costing 81 i2i sos. At the close of
the fiscal year more star service was Ia
operation than the average for iivo years
preceding, but costing sl,l0l,s6i less
NO allowances have been made during
the year for increase of expedition, and
the regulation authorizing such has been re-.
scinded as he believes Il unwarranted by the
statute. aud It's effect has proved the system
both unsafe and unreasonable. House bill
6iO7, which he drafted, contains section ~ in.
serted by tho house committee, relating to sub.
contractors on small routes, WHICH he deems
unwise, and ho states that since tho adjourn
ment ofcongress ho has studied the bill and
the committee report, and has drafted another
bill for which the fourth section " omitted
and others are altered to conform to the views
oil the committee, as expressed in Its report
Thsamended bin is,submitied for transmission
to congress to be offered as o substitute to the
ting mail contraotsf
The mail messenger service will not REQUIRE
an Increase Of appropriation. The net amount
OF fines and deductions was 1886, 500. a.. A
small increase Of S27, 600 Is needed for mail
eqpipments. He deals at length with the sub
Ject of the compensation of railways ior mail
service, which ho says has created antagon-
isms between the department and the roads.
The legislation of 1919, regulating the basis of
compensation, was adapted then TO the SER
vice, but does not now meet the requirements
Of improved methods for handling the mails.
Weight space speed, frequency, and facilities
for distribution are essential elements OF the
postal service, yet weight and space are deii-
nilely prescribed by the law, weight being the
principal factor. The rates paid are purely
arbitrary, having no reasonable relation to the
facilities required by the department, nor to
the ordinary transportation business OF rail-
ways
Practically these rates apply alike to the
highest grade OF service and TO mails carried
in bulk on slow schedules, without facilities
Tor distribution In transit and without regard
70 frequency beyond six round trips per week.
There Is u difference IN the character of tho
service, aud there should bo a proper dis
ofiminatlon prescribed In the compensation
to the difference in service. The rates pre-
scribed by present laws for railway postoflice
cars show sill more iorcibly the incongruiIies
oil the present system,
He submits tables showing how compensa-
ton Is decided under present laws and says
that the system Is arbitrary and unsuited for
the service. lie next calls attention to the
Recommendation made in 1883 TO correct the
evll, and urges the presentation to congress of
bill he has drafted to suit the subject.
Tabullted statements OF the cost of railway
service in former years are submitted TO prove
that the appropriation OF Si2 10000 for the
current year is insufficient, aud a deficiency
appropriation will be necessary. For this
service for the year ending June 30, 1856, his
estimate is 5,6I, 9O5, which includes the Pa
cliic roads and their branches.