The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1900-08-15
MAIL CARRIERS WANTED
GOVERNMENT TO ASK FOR STAR
ROUTE BIDS
Splendid Opportunity for Securing
Contracts to Carry the Mail by Priv
ate Means.

Orders have been received from the
postmaster general to advertise for bids
to carry the star mail routes in the
Hawaiian Islands. This is a different
class of mail service from the rural de-
livery although it combines some of
that character of work. The following
are the three routes on which bids will
be asked next week, Honolulu to Heeia
distance of II miles and return, six
times a week; Hauula to Kahuku six
miles and return, six times a week;
Pail to Waimanalo a distance of six
miles and return, six times a week.
Star routes are those which cover
Territory not reached by railroads or
steamships. The carriers are supposed
to furnish their own methods of locOmo-
ton and can either ride or drive. The
government simply let's the contracts
for a certain sum and all expenses of
transportation are borne by the carrier.
Assistant Superintendent of Railway
Service G.. w. Carr who has charge of
this branch of the work, has been told
that the department will exercise the
greatest leniency in the rule requiring
carriers to reside on the route or ad-
| jacent thereto. This is the first time
that such an exception has been made
and it will result in the people of Ha-
wall being given an opportunity of
making all the money possible out of
| these contracts, privilege which is too
often denied the residents of the States.
| For example, whenever routes of this
character are to be given out in the
States some wealthy firm of contract
ors will Cffer a bid which is two thirds
or a half less than the amount that
the government is willing to pay. Be
ing the lowest bidder the firm secures
a monopoly on all the routes and is in
a position to dictate terms to the car
riers. The men are then forced to agree
to deliver the route for a less sum than
the contractor bids for it, so that the
contractor receives a profit of $40 or
more year. Inasmuch as the firm has
q large number of these routes the pro-
fit is, of course very great All of this
abuse will be prevented by the present
ruling for only those who live upon the
routes or adjacent thereto can bid. A
bond of about twice the amount bid viii
be required. All of the contracts viii
date from November 1st, 1900 to June
30, 1902.
The first commissions as postmasters
in these islands came this morning. The
following We're received: William Hay
at Honomu, Hawaii; George Dawson
at Honuapo, Hawaii; John H. Bole a
Papaikou, Hawaii; Christian Andrews
at Hauula, Oahu; Joseph II. Mahoe a
Pukoo, Mookai; John Cooper Searl,
| at Hilea, Hawaii; Rudolph WassmaT
. at Napoopoo, Hawaii.
Postal Inspector Charge M. II
E Flint and Postal Inspector Hall have
: been temporarily relieved from duty
t here and ordered back to Los Angele
= in order to testify i'm a case against
I letter carrier named Abrahms who i
Z under arrest in Los Angeles on a charg
t of stealing money from letters. Botl
gentlemen will leave on the Australia
Inspector w. A. Robinson of San Fran
cisco has been ordered to relieve MI
9 Flint temporarily. While Mr.. Flint an
0 Mr.. Hall have been given only TEN
r porary orders to leave it is very prob
o able that they will not return to tn
Hawaiian Islands as the preiminar
: work Of installing the United State
Postal system has been completed. MI
Flint will greatly regret his departur
as he is greatly enamoured of Homo
lulu and the Islands, 1t is his inten
tion to return here at some future tim
and invest in some of the numerOu
enterprises offered to capital.