Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1885-08-01
FOREIGN MAILS.
American Steamship Companies, Under
the Leadership Of the Pacific
Mail, Decline to
Carry the United States Mails-A Com.
bination to Force the Distribu-
tion Of 100000
For Mileage Appropriated by the Last
C0ngress-Interview with Post
master General Villas.

WARRINGTON, July 31.-Five Ameris
can 81. amship companies, the Pacific
Mail tSan francisco 70 Australia, the
Red" tNew York to Venezuela), the
Clyde New York to Turk Islandl the
New York, Havana and Mexico and the
New York and Cuba Lines have declined
to carry the United States mails after to-
day. In commenting upon this action,
Postmaster General Villas day said:
Certain American steamship lines,
probably under the lead of the Pacific
Mail Steamship Company, entered into
continuation. apparently with the
purpose OF forcing the distribu
ton among them of 100000 ap-
propriated by Congress for mile
age compensation for carrying the
mails. Some of them write to the Post
Office Department desiring to know what
terms would be given. | proposed TO
each of the companies to go to the full
award to them both sea and inland post
age This is about three times what
they had been receiving for the same
service during th.e past twelve years. 1t
is three tic.es what is paid for Carrying
Ehost cases all that should be paid for
| CARRYING THE MAILS.
The companies were still acting in con-
cert, and in consequence of their combi-
natien refused to accept these terms,
which were so liberal as compared with
pose, that they could drive dhay til tilt gdvgSfRR vsgSfR
ment out of the position it had taken BY
refusing to carry the mail for the COM
pensation offered. The companies seemed
to think that if they refused to carry TIE
mails there would be no other course left
to the government but 10 make contract:
with them and distribute the money
i. e, tS400,O00. Accordingly, complete
schedule for the transportation OF the
mails has been arranged, and they viii
all go with very little difference in point
OF time to point of distribution. AS &
statement has been made in the news
papers to the effect that the United
States government is not as liberal a.
Great Britain in compensating steam
ship lines, l would say that, in point Of
fact, the rate which has been offered tc
our lines very much exceeds the rate
PAID BY GREAT BRITAIN.
The rate we offered is about 63 per cent
more than the British lines receive from
their government. 1t was rate uDjusti
fiably large, more than ought to be paid
but the government deemed it fair to G,
to the utmost length which the law an,
reason allowed in order to avoid any diff
ference with American steamship com
panies until Congress should meet. TIL
department has made such arrange
ments that the public will suffe
no Inconvenience worthy of mention
, in respect to carrying the mails, and il
some cases, notably the Cuban mai s, vii
be expedited. The superintendent @
foreign mails said the American compa
nies had refused an offer of 81 60 pc
pound for carrying the mails. This
what is known as the combined inlan
and sea postage, and is equal to $50, 90
) per ton. They receive at present rat
J of Al cents per pound.