The Pioche weekly record. [volume] (Pioche, Nev.) 1877-1900, 1897-11-17
THE STAR ROUTE.
Star Route Contractors Severely Ar
raigneo.

I
The abuses attending the letting
Of mail contracts on the stage
routes are likely to receive attention
at the coming session of Congress.
The objections to the present sys-
tem have been hammered into the
Postal Department for some time
past
Second Assistant Postmaster Cen
eral Shallenberger has just issued
his annual report, in which the trans
nortation of the mails in an inter-
esting manner.
The main feature of the report is
. vigorous arrangement of existing
star route methods. Mr.. Shallen-
berger refers TO the present. system
of speculative bidding for star
routes as "discreditahle to the Gov
ernment." He says the bidders cut
little under the regular contract
nrices and risk being able to sub-let
at a profit, The competition re-
suits in the greater part OF these
contracts being awarded at very low
rates, the accepted bidders or their
agents often using deceit and mis-
representation in securing sub-con-
tracts from poor and ignorant men
as principals and sureties.
The report recites the subsequent
steps, saying the sub-contractors II
complaining of greater requirements
than they understood, are threatened
with the penalties by the contractor
or if the sub-contractors attempt SER
vice with an inadequate equipment
fines are imposed upon them. Final
ly, if the sub-contractors abandon
the routes or the department is COM
pelled to remove them and employ
temporary service the cost OF which
is charged to the contractors, the
latter in turn take action against
the sub-contractors, who may thus
lose the little property they have.
UNSChUPULOUOt OONIhAOASAo'
"Then there are unscrupuloui
contractors" it is added, who fai
to pay their carriers, which causes
hundreds of claims against the con
tractors filed in this Office and ne
cessitates voluminuus correspond
ence to get the claims adjusted.
Again, there will be bidder who
in his inexperience and eagerness
will make his bid at rates. lowe
than those for which he can--secur
sub-contracts. There follows ger
eral failure to perform the servic
awarded him, and the department
put to the trouble and expense
arranging temporary service and rt
letting the contracts.
The conclusion drawn is that tn
profit to contractors must be consle
erable, and if the department coul
deal directly with the men who 9
the work, the total amount paid b
the Government being put into tt
service, without any margin to spe
ulative middlemen, it would u
doubtedly produce better mail Sc
vice. 1t is conceded that exclusit
of speculative bidders would l
crease the cost to the Governme
and recent examinations at the
quest of Congress indicate the c'
would be 81 500. 900, which, howe
err. would go into effect gradual
The belief is expressed that &C
siderably large sum for faster tral
portation would be well expend
if it resulted in improved equipme
as many of the vehicles now III
in carrying the mails present ST
a dilapidated and disreputbale
pearance as to be strong argum
in condemnation of the present
tenn"
Legislation is recommended
auiring all such bidders to reside
or contiguous to the route cove
or formally agree to reside and
sonally supervise the service
authorizing refusal to accept
deemed excessive.