The herald., 1898-10-31
llILIlONS FOR MALS|PfACf RULES AT PARIS
UUr NOT QUITE ENOUGH TO
AVOID DEFICIT
PRESENT STAR ROUTE WAYS
Vigorously Denounced by Assistant
Postmaster Schallenberger.
Comparison With Others

Comparison With Others
Associated Press Special Wire.
WASHINGTON, Oct. 3O.-The immense
work of transporting the mails Throughout
the United States is dealt with IN the an
er-l,eneral William S. Schallenberger,
which was made public today. 1he main
feature of the report is a vigorous arraign-
ment of existing star route methods. MIR.
Schallenberger refers to the present sys-
tenn of speculative bidding for star routes
as "discreditable to the government" lie
saws the bidders cut little under the regu-
sublet at a profit The competition results
in the greater part of these contracts being
awarded at very low rates, the accepted
bidders. or their agents, often using deceit
and Misrepresentation IN securing subcon-
tracts from poor and ignorant men as prin-
cipals and sureties. The report recites the
subsequent steps, saying the subcontraet-
ors, if complaining OF greater requirements
than they understood, are threatened with
the penalties by the contractors, or if the
subcontractors attempt service with made
Ouate equipment, fines are imposed upon
them. Finally, If the subcontractors aban-
don the routes or the department is com
PEELED to remove them and employ tempo
rary service, the cost of which is charged
to the contractors, the latter in turn take
action against the subcontractors, who may
thus lose the little property they have.
'Then there are INSCRIPTIONS contract
ors," it is added, who fail to pay their car
riers. which causes hundreds of claims
against the contractors to be filed in this
office and necessitates voluminous CORE
spondence to get the claims adjusted.
Again, there will be a bidder who, in his
ineXperience and eagcrness, will make his
bid at rates lower than those for which he
can secure subcontracts. There follows a
general failure to perform the service award
ed TO him, and the department is put to
trouble and expense in arranging Temporal
ry service and reletting contracts
The conclusion drawn is that the profit to
contractors must be considerable, and if the
department could deal directly with the
men who do the work the total amount
paid by the government being put into the
service without any margin to speculative
middle-men, it would undoubtedly produce
better mail service. 1t is conceded that eX-
clusion of speculative bidders would in
crease the cost to the government, and re-
cent examinations, at the request of con-
gress, indicate the additional cost would
be s., 800 900, which, however, would go into
effect gradually.
ably larger sum for faster transportation
would be well expended, if it resulted in
improved equipment, "as many OF the ve-
hlcles now used in carrying the mails pre-
sent such a dilapidated and disreputable
appearance as TO be strong argument in
condemnation of the present system
The report shows the number of mail
routes at the close of the year to be SO, 795;
total mileage, 3S0,3S and averaging on each
route nine trips per week. There were 434,
332, ,69l miles travelled on these routes, cost
ing almost Sl07 per mile of length each, or
almost Il cents per mile travelled. The total
annual rate of expenditure for both routes
within the United States and in the for
eign mail service was s53,922, ,454.
Discussing Alaska, Mr. Schallenberger
says the mail service on the overland routes
from Juneau by Dyea to Circle City, pro-
v'dng for letter mail only, was extremely
unsatisfactory, the contractor failing to rem
der the required number of trips, and those
performed were irregular and unreliable,
serious complaints following. The arrange
ment with the Canadian postoffice depart
ment requiring monthly exchange of letter
mail between Dyea and Dawson, also tell
below expectations. TO secure regular SER
vice in the Alaskan interior relay stations
were established at frequent intervals along
the route and equipped to meet all emer-
gencies. This was attached with the CON
sent of Canada. The establishment of an
overland mail route from Cooks inlet or
Prince William sound through the interior
to the Yukon river has been considered, but
it is not practicable to establish it at present.
The report commends the use of pneumatic
tubes, but voices regret that in some cases
the tubes are not fully utilized. This SER
vice in Boston is especially cited as operating
tirst-class mail. The New York postmaster
takes the position ,hat it has not been posi-
bic to make such reductions in the regulor
mail wagon trips os was thought would ,e-
suit from institnting tube service.
The expenditures to railroads for mail
transportation so far as shown by accounts
etated to September 80, was $50, ,449. .S37, and
the fiscal year ending June 30, 1900, is $685.
2I5,0O0. deficiency Of nearly $1,000 600
i'll this fiscal year for transportation is prob
able.
Concerning the railway mail service the
report shows there were 1868 miles of trav-
cling postoftices, and recommends for a re-
of the service legislation re-
mary separation of their papers and periodi-
Gals for mailing, requiring postal clerks to
wear a badge, instead of the present regua-
ton cap. and for general establishment of
postal stations in railroad depots.
For ocean mail transportation in the next
fiscal year S2,l04,000 is estimated. Over
i, 100000 letters and post cards have been
distributed in transit in our international
sea postoftices and only 1900 errors We're re-
ported. Negotiations are now pending
looking to securing reciprocal benefits from
Great Britain in the way of sea postoffice
on the Cunard and White Star lines in the
near future. These two English lines carry
O very large amount OF mail and will derive
extensive profit by separation of mail N
transit and the consequent early dispatch
and early delivery of mail by the harbor boat
service at New York.
Mr.. Schallenberger submits estimates for
his entire service of $50, ,944 600 for next wear
and says the estimated expenditures the
present year will be $542l5, 5,738
Special recognition is given to the courage
and faithfulness of the postal clerks and
other officers who, during the yellow fever
epidemic in the south, remained at their
posts.
Mr.. Schallenberger also submits a special
report upon the investigation recently con
cluded in Great Britain, France and Ger
many into the character Of their railway
mail transportation. lie says the average
distance mail is carried by railroads here is
three times greater than in Great Britain.
with over 10000 more postoffces and 80
cents greater per capita expenditure for
mails.
The postal system of France is not equal
to the United States in many respects in
Germany, as in France, the railroads are
largely under government control and the
German system Of parcel post, pneumatic
tube service and telephone branch service
are especially commended
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TrnnDc F,, Route