Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-02-26
TO RE WEIGH MAIL
Price For Carrying Transcontinent-.
al Matter to undetermined.
MAY Be WAR BETWEEN ROADS
superintendent West of the Railway
Mail Service Issues Instructions to
Govern During Weighins--Takes
Place Every Four Years.

SsS'h 00'IiS WSiSniUS-id NSS
Place Every Four Years.
The reweighing of mails in this con-
tract section will soon commence on
the roads carrying the trans-continent-
al matter and there is already much
talk OF the probability of another mail
war between the Burlington and
Northwestern roads for the bulk of
the through mails. Four years ago
the Burlington road came out of the
race with colors flying outrivaling its
opponent in speed. Since then both
roads have practically completed dou-
Bile tracks from Chicago to the Mis-
souri, river and it is certain that
hard contest will ensue Should the
roads again clash. The reweighing
of mails takes place every four years
and in this manner is the contract
price determined with the roads for
the ensuing four years. Superintend-
ent West of the railway mail service
has issued the following orders to gov
ern during the weighing:
Section L. Who Will Take the
Weights-Chief clerks, R. P. clerks in
charge of cars and transfer clerks
will be governed by the following in
structions during the weighing. The
department will hold them personally
responsible for strict and conscien-
tious observance of them:
No leave of absence will be granted
clerks who come directly in connec-
ton with the taking of weights, UNI
less on account of sickness, and all
clerks will hold themselves in readi-
ness to perform extra duty at all times
during the weighing period.
Weighers will be appointed to lines
where it is deemed necessary, but if
no weigher has been assigned to the
line, it will be the duty of the regular
clerk to take the weights and report
them in this Office. Should special
weigher be absent from duty, the
weights will be taken by the r. p.
clerk and forwarded to this office with
a report of the absence of the weigher
Weighers' appointments (Form
5032) will be authority for their pres
ence in the postal cars during the pc
Rod of weighing. These appointments
will be taken up at the expiration of
weighing. Where weighers are en-
ployed to run on trains on which there
are postal clerks, such weighers will
be under the direction of the clerk in
charge, and their names should be en-
tered on trip reports under heading
CLERKS on duty" adding the word
"Weigher' and points between which
: he ran. -,
7. Sec 2. When Weights Are to Be
Taken.-As far as practicable weight
should be taken while the train is not
, in. motion in order to get the most
correct results In locking out mail
for dispatch weighers should be al
lowed sufficient time to properly weigh
5 all mails, and none must be dispatch
: ed or received and opened until they
s have been correctly weighed. Weigh
ing will continue until stopped by or
der of the department.
Sec. 3. What Will Be Weighed
All mails taken on or put off trains
will be weighed and the weight noted
on weight card opposite the station.
II any station has been omitted from
card the weigher or clerk will enter
the name of such station in its proper
place on car. Supplies consisting of
pouches. sacks and locks (Which must
be limited to the actual necessities of
the line) should be actually weighed
at either terminus of the route when.
ever practicable.
Any mail or equipment that is pu
off car at initial point before the de
parture of train, should be deducted
from the weight originally taken OF
Iron catchers, catcher sockets or cind
er guards are not equipment but par
OF the car, and should not be weighed
In stating weights, omit fractions o
half pounds or less: if the fraction Is
more than on-half pound, it SHOULD
be called pound.
Y Weights must be actually taken ani
never guessed.
Z Sec. 4. Weight cards, blanks OF
which to record the weights of mail
will be supplied you by your chic
clerk. Four copies of each should b.
made in ink or indelible pencil Thu
+ original and two copies to be forward
ed to this Office daily, the remainin.
copy together with all station weigh
ers tickets to be retained by the clerl
or weigher until the close of the weigh
ing, and then forwarded to this Office
All figures should be plainly made ant
i II the weights have been accuratel,
taken,t the two columns on cards shout,
closely balance at end of run Be par
ticular to give the date on which trail
departed and correct train number,an,
card should be signed, and the addition
of each column verified by weighe
and by clerk in charge of car.
Clerks in charge will see that tn
weighers use the cards reading as tn
trains run, and in no case permit al
! outward card to be used on an inwar,
Z run or vice versa. The supply of weigh
cards is sufficient for the entire weigh
ing, and no more can be furnished
Clerks should provide themselves wit
supply of blanks for the round tri
before starting on the run.
Sec 5. Scales-The railway com
pany will be required to furnish scale
for the weighing Scales should b
examined at the commencement of tn
{ each trip and carefully balanced.
Sec. 5. R.R Company's Superv
sion company's agents, or weighers t
test, accuracy of all scales and to oil
serve the accuracy of taking weight
K at junction or terminal points Wher