Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1890-05-20
POSTAL INcoMpETENcY.n


On the 18th OF April the RECORD UNION
contained an editorial article under the
title above quoted, in which it charged
that letters mailed in San Francisco for
the early evening trains for this city were
frequently held in the San Francisco office
for later train, much to the inconvenience
of correspondents, and often with the effect
of inflicting loss upon business men of this
city, and that the long standing annoyance
demanded prominence of complaint. Direct
instances were given, and the specific
charges were sustained by evidence that adj
mitted of no denial. We showed beyond
question that there is not the certainty
that should obtain that letter posted in
San Francisco at P. NJ or earlier will
reach this city by the first afternoon mail
train, that leaves the metropolis at $3.50, or
the next, which leaves at 5, and that let
terS are often held until the next overland
train, which reaches here at 11:40 P. NJ.
This it was shown proved that the mid
night mail is an inconvenience, indeed an
absolute hindrance to business men, and it
was advised that it be abandoned, in order
to compel the San Francisco office to make
up its mail for the early train, and thus
enable Sacramentans TO receive their mail
matter early enough in the evening to
respond, If necessary, the same night, or to
send on communications related to the
same by the east-bound mail at midnight.
Our article called the attention of the
San Francisco postal officials to the mat
ter, but none was given, and we abandoned
hope of any remedy being applied through
such agencies. But the matter did not
sleep; the Philadelphia Bureau of Press
Clippings noted the complaint, and for
warded copy of the RECORD UNION
editorial to the Postal Department at
Washington. Documents now in our pos
session, through the courtesy and official
duty of Postmaster Stephens Of this city
enable US to continue the history of the
affair, which is of special importance to
this community, because of the hope that
the agitation viii serve TO bring about the
long-needed reform, and without which
important business interests are hindered,
and possibly life itself imperiled. 1t will
be noted that the ineficiency originally
charged is emphasized by the correspond
ence we quote, as it is disclosed that by
species of red-tape ingenuity the protest
against poor service was made to encounter
the risk of being side-tracked.
April 18th, from Washington, D. c.,
General Superintendent of the Railway
Mail Service, forwarded the RECORD
UNION article to Jas. L. Wilder Superin-
tendent Eighth Division of the Railway
Mail Service at San Francisco for his
action
April S0th Mr.. Wilder sent the article
and the reference tag referred to, to an
other official with this Endorsement:
Referred to T. J. Ford, ESQ., Superintendent
of Mails. for such remarks as he may desire to
make. Please return papers.
JAS. L. WILDER, Superintendent.
No inquiry was made by Mr.. Wilder at
the RECORD UNION office or at the Sacra-
mento Postoffice, where he could have
ascertained the facts within twenty -four
hours, and have examined the proofs
May Sd Mr.. Ford returned the docu-
ments with this attached note:
Respectfully returned to Superintendent r.
NJ. s., Eighth Division, for his information. Fer
some time past have been present when the
Sacramento mail has been closed out and am
positive thst il has all been promptly dis
patched. II the Sacramento RECORD UNION
viii furnish US with the evidence we will then
be able to investigate this matter; and Il IL is
found that the charges are well founded, a
remedy will be applied; without, We can do
nothing.
Mr.. Ford does not appear TO have
thought it to be his duty to advise the
RECORD UNION of his desire-if he enter
tanned ito have the proofs laid before
him. The next step in this process of
inactivity was taken by Mr.. Wilder, who
wrote to the Department at Washington,
returning the documents with this at
tached letter:
OFFICE or SUPERINTENDENT RAILWAY MALI
SERVICE, SAN FRANCISCO. CAL.
May S, 1890.
Returned to Hon j. Iowrie Bell, General SUI
perintendent X. NJ. S. Washington. d. c. Please
see remarks OF Superintendent OF Mails L. J.
Ford, next attached.
JAMES L. WILDER. Superintendent.
But at Washington this disposition was
not pleasant to the Department. Its head
saw that Mr.. Ford's reply was valueless,
almost triaing, since he did not state what
Sacramento mail he had supervised in the
process of making up, nor when; nor that
he had taken even the most ordinary in
terest to ascertain what truth there was
in the charges submitted to him for ex-
animation. Nor does it appear that Mr..
Wilder had any broader conception of his
duty in the premises. The Department,
therefore, returned al the correspondence
to the latter, with this sharp rebuke:
WASHINGTON, May u. 1890.
Respeelfully returned TO James L. Wilder
Superintendent. Eighth Division Railway Mail
Service, san Francisco. Contents noted. Please
call upon the RECORD Union for specific IN.
formation regarding the delays complained of,
aud ask that they give you the envelopes COW
ering delayed letters. or such other Information
as Will ensble you TO get at the bottom of the
trouble. ALEX. GRANT, acting General supt.
Thus sharply informed Of his duty and