The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-09-28
SOUTHERN FAST MAIL SERVICE.
Will the Postmaster General Cut Off
the Special Facility PayP

VIII the Postmaster General Cut Off
the Special Facility Pay2
WASHINGTON. Sept. civil Postmas-
ter General Wanamaker cut off the special
facility pay for fast mail service In the
south9 This is question which is exciting
O good deal of interest among the railroads
concerned and in the postofiice department.
Mr. Wanamaker has not indicated what hex
intends to do, but he referred the matter
TO Second Assistant Postmaster General Boil
for consideration. If Mr.. Bell recommends
that the money be withheld his advice will
probably be followed. The old contracts
expired on June 80 last and the railroads
would get much more money than they
have been getting under the regular al
lowances because Of the increased bulk Of
the business between the north and the
south. Mr.. Wanamaker recommended
cutting off the special compensation in his
last annual report, and referred to the rea-
sons set forth by Mr.. Bell in his report.
WHAT MR.. BELL SAYS.
The latter said: 1.-THE continuance Of the
special facility allowance has for some years
past been "A source of much annoyance to
the department, aud has hsmpered the best
interests Of the mail service, because the
railroads operating in contiguous territory
and. TO some extent parallel the roads
which receive the extra pay, object to rem
dering equally or quicker schedule mail
service except they be paid corresponding
rates. They ask that oil be treated
alike.
"When the special facility payments we're
first started 1t was we'll understood that they
were but temporary, SO as to bridge over
period until the natural growth Of
the mails would yield sufficient COM
pensation to do away with the
g.. = Ill ,sa
was as far back as 1879. since which time
the aggregate yearly compensation TO the
railroads drawing the special facility
allowances for ordinary mail and car
transportation, independent Of the special
service, has more than doubled, so that the
ordinary compensation, even after the re-
duction of this year, will be greatly in
excess Of the ordinary and special oompen-
sation added together ten years ago"
wANAMAKER MAY WITHDRAW THE FUND.
The recommendation of Postmaster Gen
eral Wanamaker was not followed IN this
matter. The friends Of the railroads and Of
special facilities succeeded in appropriating
the amount estimated by an item in the
postoffice appropriation bill, "For necessary
and special facilities on trunk lines, $780,
Goa 20" The Postmaster General might re-
fuse to expend this money or part OF 1t,
without violating any law. Ii is
Gne everyday pThCtAOe VA 1ho NC
partments to carry over unexpended
balances OF even TO expend nothing
under certain heads. TIE appropriation
made for special facilities for the last fiscal
year contained proviso that the Post
master General may, in his discretion, with
draw this fund. or any portion thereof,
from any railroad company when, in his
Judgment, the public interests require it,"
Ihls provision is not included in the appro-
priation for the present year. The omission q,
perhaps, shows more clearly than ever the
intent of congress that the money shall be
spent. but it is doubtful If it makes the ex-
penditure mandatory.