The times., 1899-07-31
Star ROUTE SERVICE
Ancient Methods of Mail Carriage
Sill in Practice.
Dangers That Encompass Carriers in
Wild and Mountainous Regions.
Alaskan Journey From Juneau to
Circle Ctiy-DaiIy Trips Increasing.

In these days of cannon BALI trains and
ocean greyhounds the average recipient of
mail is unaware that the star route or
primitive method still constitutes the great
er part Of the mail service of the United
States.
Chief Clerk Stone, of the transportation
division of the Postofice Department, gives
some very interesting information on this
subject. In every State large percentage
of the mail travels only weekly, tri- weekly,
or semiweekly. a map of the service of
even the neighboring States to this District
Maryland, Virginia, and Pennsylvania
indicate the frequency of the mails by
black line for daily trip; a blue line, a
tri-weekly trip; yellow line, a semi
weekly trip, and a red line. weekly trip.
Thanks to the improvement of the service,
however, the black lines are constantly TAX
ing the place OF the other lines.
In this star route service the difficulties
are numerous and the dangers to the car
riers are often manifold. There are routes
over which the mail goes from point to
point in sailboats THE mountain routes
are often perilous, and in winter and
must be penetrated and forded, as deduc-
tons in compensation are made if the car
riers fail or delay the delivery of the
mails. This compensation is usually very
small. The service is given to the lowest
bidder. very few of whom carry the mails
themselves. To the needy and hardy men
along the routes the contracts are sublet
The average compensation of the sub
contractors is about 81 a day for a daily
are some routes the competition for the
contracts of which is so great that the
carriers do not get more than a dollar for
a daily trip Of fifty miles.
Some of the principal bidders for these
contracts reside in Washington, and seldom.
IL ever see their routes. Others have SO
many contracts to look after that they
maintain agencies in this city Several firms
of attorneys here also look after the inter
est OF these contractors in various ways,
and thereby do a good business. These
agents are useful and necessary to the con-
tractors, because the Postoffice Department
frequently make deductions and fines for
unsatisfactory service, which, however, may
be excused and remittances made upon
proper explanation.
There is no limit to the number of routes
for which contractors may bid. One firm
not long since was awarded for one year
more tnan a Thousand routes. Inc margin
between bids and the compensation TO the
subcontractors afford the profit 10 the con-
tractors. Complaints OF bad service are OF
course referred by the Postoffice Depart
ment to the original. contractors and they
in turn deal with the subcontractors.
"The most isolated and no doubt the
most arduous star. route said Mr.. Stone,
was the one established at Alaska-from
Juneau to Circle City, 900 miles. compen-
sation Sc, $3.50 a year. The contractor made
twelve round trips during the year, or one
trip and return every month. He had to
make so miles day. or 900 miles in fifteen
days and then lose no time in making the
home trip in the same time. 1t is little
hard to tell how he has done it. but pre-
sumo he went TO and from Circle City in
winter with Eskimo dogs or reindeer, and
perhaps came down some of the streams
In summer in boats. Whatever way he
did 1t, you may be certain he had his hands
full of mail and important mail, too