The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1894-02-16
MAY GET THE MAILS.
Probability of a Change From the
Coast Line to the T. @. & p.

There is a probability that the Florida
Central and Peninsular railroad may yet
get the contract for carrying the govern
ment mails from New York and the
northeast into Florida and some portions
of this section of Georgia.
When the new read W as first put in op-
aration, Supt. Terrell, of the railway mail
service for this division, came down from
Atlanta on a tour of inspection TO see
what the facilities of thenew road would
he and what advantage would be gained
II any, in taking the nail from the At
Iantic Coast Line and the Savannah
Florida and Western railway and trans
ferring them 40 the newly opened route
He came to the conclusion that no ad-
vantages sufficient to warrant the expense
and trouble would be gained and so re-
ported to the department at Washington.
The story goes, and is vouched for by
several well known citizens, that resi-
dent of Sanford Fla, wrote to Postmas-
as a citizen of the United States, why it
was that the mails were brought by the
Atlantic Coast Line, when they would
reach points south of Jacksonville, and
nearly all Florida points, from two to six
or eight hours earlier by the Florida
Central and Peninsular. The posto1ice
denartment referred the matter to Supt
formant had been mistaken in what he
said, and that the difference in time
claimed could not be made.
The gentleman was informed of the re-
suit of the investigation, but was not
satisfied to let it rest there He wrote
again to the Postmaster General and de-
manded that proof be required from
Supt Terrell in support of the position
taken by the latter His letter received
prompt attention, and Supt. Terrell was
Informed of the demand made by this
citizen of Florida. To get informa-
ton to substantiate his claim Supt
Terrell wrote at once to several pOstmas-
tiers in Central and Southwest Florida
Strange to say, however, the information
thus obtained entirely substantiated the
position taken by the gentleman who
made the demand on the department The
information has been sent to Washington
and it is understood that Supt. Terrell
has been ordered to look into the matter
and see what arrangements can be made
to transfer all on part of the Florida
mails to the Florida Central and PENN
sular railroad. The probability us that
the near future will see the new route
carrying part at least of the Florida
mails
But the people in Florida are not the
only ones who have lodged complaints
against the mail service on the Atlantic
Coast Line Richmond is up in arms
against the road tor taking off the Sun
day through train on the Richmond,
Fredericksburg and Potomac division,
which used to carry the New York pa
pers and other mail into that city at 9 :3S
o'clock p. m. whereas they now get there
at 7:l5 o'clock p. m. The government
has no means of compelling the running
OF trains in cases of this kind where it
has no special contract to that effect.
The Atlantic Coast Line had, until re-
Gently, says the Richmond Dispatch. the
contract for carrying the fast mail to the
south and southwest. 1t was handsomely
paid for, as are all the government rail
way mail contracts But the Richmond
and Danville opened shorter route and
a quicker one, and the business that form
erly went by the Coast Line was taken
by the Richmond and Danville.
Such was not the case, however, with
the Florida mail which has so far con-
tinued on the Coast Line. 1t seems now
that steps are being taken to transfer a
large part of the mail to the new route.
Just when it will be done, however, is not
at present known.