Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-12-01
S42,l41,51S

Ao"u -. S42, l4l,olo
As compared with last year increases are
shown as follows: Star service, l.2l5 routes
6,S17 miles in length Of routes and Of S196, O61
IN the annual expenditure; mail messenger
service, an increase of 204 in the number of
routes and S68. AIT in the annual rate Of expen-
d1ture; railroad service increase Of 154 routes
BOSS miles in length of routes and Of 81 1877 461
IN the rate OF expenditure; railway post Office
clerks an increase Of 3s5 and Of SAIL Col in the
annual rate of expenditure
For necessary and special facilities in trunk
lines the annual rate Of expenditure last year
was Sl96,Gl4, a decrease Of $9S ,S07 from that Of
the previous year.
COST FOR STAR SERVICE.
The rate Of cost per mile for star service
last year ia shown to have been 5.3S
cents. For this branch Of the service there
IS now an unexpeuded balance in the treasury
OF S5oI us. As to star service contracts,
Mr. Bell says that while recognizing the evil
OF the methods now in force it is his opinion
thss the best way to acquire good service is to
rio8ldiy enforce existing regulations which
permitthe letting Of contracts 70 professionals
who sublet them to the actual carriers. The
amount expended for special office service
during the year was S44, $685. as against s47, 926
for the preceding year.
The amount estimated as necessary for the
mail messenger service during the year begin
ming July /, 1898, is 81 1915 900, which is 6. %
per cent more than the present appropriation
for that service. The rate OF cost per mile
travelled in the railroad service last year was
1909 cents. As to the departments relations
to the railroads Mr.. Bell says:
1t is not improper for me- at this point, to
give renewed expression to the hearty manner
In which the railway mail carriers of the coun-
try have co-operated with the department in its
effort to promote the mail service. Without,
Relieve; single exception, the great trunk
pt try har ha;r
ness to establish schedules that shall, primarily,
have in view the rendering of this mail service
more and more complete. Repeatedly, as
can be instanced in the gold movement, in
August last, from San Francisco to New York
we have had occasion to put to the test the
kindly expressions that have come to us from
the railway managers; and there has been no
hesitation in promptly complying with our
requests, and not in single instance has there
been question raised regarding special or
extra compensation.
1t Is my Judgment that the principal railway
mail carriers now recognize the iberality of the
existing basis OF compensation. and they I'M
hesitatingly say that SO long the government
continues the existing basis they will expect to
contribute more and more to the necessities of
the mail service in the way of train service
speed, frequency, space, &c.
OPPOSED TO SPECIAL FACILITIES"
Mr.. Bell strongly opposes further appropria-
lieves that this granting to few and refusing
to extend like compensation to the many who
are performing as good or better mail schedules
is source Of injury to the mail serv-
ice. The preferential method, he saws.
should cease all who expedite the
mails should DO granted the same benefit.
The impression that the special facility COM
pensHtion allowed the lines extending 70 Fort
Tampa, Fla, advances the Cuba mails is in
correct 1t practically retards those mails,
because 1t prevents the enforcement by the
department Of the Is hour schedule provided
FOR the contract for the ocean service
between Port Tampa and Havana. There
is, besides, Mr.. Bell says, far less reason
for granting the special compensation hereafter
than year ago. as the ordinary compensation
to the railway mail carriers which draw the
special facility allowance was on July /, 1892
because of reweighing advanced more than 20
per cent. As to the railway mail service in
general Mr. Bell saws:
Continuing the method adopted two years ago.
l have given close attention to the workings of
this, to my mind, the most important of all the
branches Of the postal service and it is source
OF great qualification to be able to bear testi-
mony to its increased efficiency and
usefulness. The railway mail service of
today is equal to almost any emer-
gency that can arise. Its discipline is
that of an army. Its clerks, as a body, are
thorough experts, and it is through their labors
that the most important features of the mail
service are accomplished. Nowhere else in the
world is there railway mail service that will
compare with that prevailing in this country,
and if its reorganization on the lines that hav
been agreed upon in bill II. L. 5671 can be ac-
complished it will establish degree of per-
manency to the service that will add still more
to its efficiency"
Mr.. Bell renews his past recommendations
regarding provision for those dependent on
clerks who meet death at their posts of duty
ha villa hail aeh nn .A11
and carries with it but little cost to the gov
eminent and ought, he says to receive the
sanction of Congress. 1t will often be the
means of saving from dire want the widow and
the orphan from whom. without a moments
notice, has been taken the husband and
father