The western sentinel. [volume] (Winston-Salem, N.C.) 1887-1926, 1892-07-21
Vol. XXXVI. No. 13.
WINSTON'S MISERABLE MAIL.
Mr.. Barger Says the Government WOn't
Pay the Usual PriC6S.

from Winston to TSOanOke-The
SentineTs Correspondent Inter
views Mr.. Henderson, Who is
Ready to Use His Influence in the
Matter When he X Knovs the Facts
How Long it Takes a Letter to go
from Winston to Roanoke.
THE SENTINEL has received the
following letter from Charles |.
Stewart in regard to r. &c s., mail
facilities:
WASHINGTON, D. c., July 15.-The
Post Office Department is just now
engaged in trying to shift the res
possibility for poor mail service in
the South to the appropriations made
by the Democratic House, and the
House committee on Post Office and
Post Roads. The responsibility for
the poor facilities on the new R. &
S. road, the Department would sad
die upon the Norfolk and Western
people. Complaint has been made
and I have endeavored TO learn the
exact status of this particular case
The Norfolk and Western declines
to carry the mail for GIG, and this is
all that the Department has yet
brought itself up to offering. The
maximum compensation fixed by law
is 1925 for. two hundred pounds per
mile, and there is no minimum, the
Department being free to make any
rate not exceeding 1925 for two
hundred pounds per mile per year.
saw the Superintendent of Railway
Adjustment today and he said that
this case was now under considera-
tion, but he had no idea when an
agreement would be reached.
The postal officials argue that $16
is sufficient compensation for the
start, alleging that the new line
would carry but little mail. They
say, too, that it would be to the in
terest of the Norfolk and Western to
accept this offer, their argument
being that by the Immediate estab-
lishment of the line the road would
be able to defect large amount of
mail matter to the new route by the
first of next year, when .the mails
would be weighed and the compen-
sation fixed accordingly. They say
also that the Norfolk and Western is
now considering schedule with this
in view and that if it is arranged the
people of Winston and Roanoke will
have the mail facilities they so much
desire.
MR.. HENDERSON DENIES THE CHARGE.
If the Department does not sue
ceed with respect to the Norfolk &
Western better than with the House
Committee on Post Offices and Post
Roads twill find all the response
bility on its own shoulders | saw
hon. John S Henderson, chairman
of the committee, as to the charge
that the Department was not able to
offer more on account of a meagre
appropriation. "There is not any
truth in it" he sail. "The Depart
ment knows we'll enough that any
deficiency would be made up by the
next Congress just as the deficiency
for last year" The fact is that the
appropriation for railway mails is
$l05, 900 more than was expended
last year. And the Department can
spend as much more as is reasona-
bly, necessary for the efficiency of
the service.
Mr.. Henderson stated further that
if the parties interested would send
him statement of their side of the
case he would take pleasure in using
his influence for the early establish
ment of the mail route.
The department evidently does
not appreciate the Importance of
Roanoke and Winston-Salem, and a
little work in the right direction
would doubtless have effect. Mr..
Henderson s attention had not been
called to this case till he was seen by
your correspondent.