New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-06-13
THE FOREIGN MAIL SERVICE.
A DECISION AGAINST MILEAGE RATES.
THE PRESIDENT AND THE CABiSEr BELIEVE inH


OF the President, and after reconciliation WIN Vno "
the has decided not to advertise ior
bids to enter into contracts for the transportation Vi ~
foreign malls upon n mileage basis. under the pefhs-
sye authority conferred by the of Congress OF arc
g. 1885 In an argument before the Cabinet, the fosS
mastcr-General said: ~
al" will be observed that this act in making pIs,o
for the carriage of foreign mails In no manner i 90
any other purpose in the appropriation than Tn
provide inc money S 40 Of
provide gratuy, or subsidy III ad OF & s ar,sinal
ships but far the act gives indication OF Two
purposes such intention is ilnputaple 70 consd
principal inquiries to be suggested Tor tno
Grafton OF the Department: First. what ,n
TO he pad 10 secure the carriage OF the Foreign
mails, ought I'm fair dealing between INC s,ic,iv
in the irht Of mat CONDENSATION for the service
rcndered: and, secondly If the amount 80 de' the
total appropriation, ought the additional approP1,n'1p
to be covered into the Treasury or Dc
Beyond providing the mal-room and keeping n eha ~
securely locked special care is Imposed
ships company beyond what other freight reluiless'
The mabags provided with handles and no responi
Utility insurer rests upon the owner Of axantases
afforded vessels carving the mails IN 1Ts anv
exempt on from port charges of certain Kinds
besides the reputo OF being Government man r,s,nc
brings incidental advantages to the vessel aiversT
government confidence in 1t for speed and safety anu
increasing its attractiveness for both PASSENGER n
valuable freight carriage In view OF THESE ht
stances. 1t may reasonably be sara o, ,ra' as
vessel which makes its gains for Its owner by
much good paying carriage as Is possible uPU rates
trip would desire TO carry 40 convenient ireent az a.
which not very much In excess at least Oh w ar
receives for the carriage OF other somewhat shIa.
freight and tho United states as shipper, might
reasonably stand tariff little larger snS
that which the vessel invites other shippers 20
like articles by. Perhaps, nview OF the incuenn h
vantages due 10 mail carrsge IL wond oo ~ me sHme
expectation that mail feigets should 60 ~ o re care
RACES other like fresht which impose no no rsster
or burden upon the vessel for carriage anu ho si
risk IN case OF loss or injury. -,
As showing the dsproportion between tho prlco Pa'u
by the Government for mail transportation ana una"
paid for freghts corresponding grade by the public
the PostmaserGeDeral presented series OF ei"ooi"
tables In the case OF the Cunard Line they show that
the vessels made thirteen trips carrying letter man
amounting TO four and eighty pounds and receNeu
compensation from tho Government therefor
Of 1882 90, which at freight ra'oS
would have been SIS % ana ~
parcedspatch rates S2G2 49, thus receiving In excess
freight rates $3.503 81. and in excess OF paree
dispatch 1879 oil. on printed matter II reoeNe
Slsl 49, an excess freight rates OF 81 Os9 ~ ana
over parceldspatoh rates 1907 o. The other Atlantic
lines are taken up order and the same state OF facts
shown to obtain The Postmaster General also said;
So far therefore. any of the transatlantic man
carriage Is concerned the proposition may Dc ste
yauced that rates for carriage need ne pau
than hitherto have been paid In order To OBTAIN 'he
v5ey M the restng Advantages alluded to- to make It
desirable 10 the vessels TO carry the mall
II may be apprchendo1 that II no increased rate OF
compensation should be given for tho carriage now that
the compulsory clause OF the statutes is repealed TIC
transport the mails Notwithstanding the price allowed
IS sufficient make their carriage moro desirable than
that Of the other freight, with Wow TO Imposing
such a stress upon tho Government "a TO compel an
Increased cOmpousatOn It Is believed that this cannot
be successfully done, and that It viii not even be
attempted. In the first place. as has been seem the
compensation Is air aud just, aud carrier by water
As 10y land j. bound to receive and carry for far
compeusaton. In tho second place, foreign Ncssel'
which compete with the American steiiSHi llhcs nav
fI4.ru .Au ra Iii IA
Notwithstanding they have been under no snch eVhPu
sion oi law. ,- -. a, c..at
wear ended i'm sS 1892 22l aud the estimated cost
for the next fiscal year il r42o,OOo ms amount ~
probably somewhat IN excess of what inc hctuai COZ
will prove % the rates heretofore ana now piiu.
As the amount necessary aud proper for the cafase OF
the mails will be- probably less than SlouoVV' uo
made Of 1-s5 be covered into tho
Treasury should n he given by the fostnateheh-
cral - American steamship ownofsf
The General says Congress has long since
refused to pay any express subsidy but such qnes-
ton is presented by this act II does not profess 10 DC
subsidy act 1t processes only to authorize the Post
to the foreign mails TO be trans
ported over the seas and appropriaes gro~, sam
winch he may employ II does not direct hun Ia let con-
tracts 10 the lowest bidder. II simply authoH e.
maj course Presumably this was done because II
was Thought by Congress To he possibly necessary AFTER
the repeal Of the compulsory law Ia order TO secure Tue
maj "A Intended or expected that the POsmasieIienefal
would enter upon t-ufso oi shDsdi%hg si'AhsnlP
lines when that body had long since dIscon'lnnSl IN"
practce At the rate OF fty cents per mile II wond re-
nuIrc II li Gi5 to pay tho American vessels employed
during the year 1851 and II becomes at once hppaeht
that the 100000 Appropriated tannot De 80 11nuo"
A. To afford All these vessels subsidy at the inll rate
The Postmaster thinks IL Is better To rent the SUBJECT
TO Congress for more explicit legislation ha 70 alcp'
TO distribute large Of public money not IN Iact re-
1uIred for the for which il was appropriated mercy
because tho Act Of Congress gives the license