The Paducah sun. [volume] (Paducah, Ky.) 1898-1906, 1903-08-14

Chicago. Aug IA Washington
telegram says Postmaster General
Psyne has decided on an important
step, which will practically put the
railroads of the country under the pro-
lection OF the United States govern
ment and prevent interference with
interstate commerce by strikers. This
will be accomplished by making ev-
ery railroad train . mail train and by
commissioning railroad conductors,
baggagemasters and other trainmen rs
employees of the United States postal
service, and empowering them to han
die mails.
Postmaster General Payne and AS
sistant Postmaster General Shallen-
berger have had the matter under con-
sideratiop for several months. The
agitation, however, which really led
20 the adoption Of the new policy has
been growing for several years, and,
like so many other important steps
adopted by the postofiice department
of late years. is the result OF the ire
mendous growth OF the rural free de-
livery service. This service has re-
suited in more than quadrupling the
circulation NJ newspapers throughout
the country in the period of six years.
The posta, off cials declined to enter
into an agreement whereby they would
be responsible for mail not carried in
closed pouches and handled by sworn
employees. IL has been the practice Of
publishers, however. TO intrust bun
dies OF papers TO trainmen ON trains
which do not carry mail, with instruo-
tions 10 throw Off the packages at GER
tain points This system has not been
entirely satisfactory.
The government has now decided to
assume the responsibility for the car
riage and delivery Of these newspapers
and will commission and pay salaries
TO the trainmen over and above the
compensation received for the regular
work. In putting into effect this far
reaching policy each case where addi-
tional facilities are needed will be con
sidered separately. When the request
for additional mail train facilities is
received at the department an employe
of the railway mail service will be as
signed to the case and will attend TO
the preliminaries of looking to the
Of trainmen as employ
es of the postal service and arranging
the schedules.
Any train-passenger, local or
freight-will be empowered to carry
malls, and the United States will hold
/ self responsible for their delivery.
This means that in case Of strike ev-
cry train which carries these special
mails will be just as much under the
authority and protection OF the feder-
al government AS through and local
mail trains which run on regular
daily schedule, and when sill arrange
ments have been made and the plans
of the department put into effect, there
will be few trains which are not eth
er regular or special" mail trains.
In case of interference with any of
these specials during the time Of strike
or mob violence the United States
must under the statutes afford it the
same protection, by federal troops if
necessary, that has been and will be
given to the regular mail trains.
There are some preliminaries still
to be arranged with the railroads. but
there is not the slightest reason for
doubt that the various systems will
gladly avail themselves of the privi-
lege extended to them for securing al
most absolute immunity from mob
violence by federal protection. The
government will be permitted to settle
upon the salary to be paid trainmen.
At the coming session of congress
Postmaster General Payne will ask for
q special appropriation to pay the sal.
aries of these special employees. Until
such time, however, the trainmen en-
ployed by the government will be paid
out Of the general fund of the railway
mail service.