The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1907-05-09
STRINGS ATTACHED
To Pennsylvania Railroads
By Your Uncle Sam.
MANY EXCUSES ALLOWED
In Great Majority Of Cases Fines Do
Not Mean Sums Paid-Some Sam
pies of the Various Excuses
Offered.

Offered.
A Washington special says: Dsclar-
ing it to be his purpose to have no
concealment in connection with the
fines levied against transportation
companies carrying the mails, Second
Assistant Postmaster General McClea-
ry Friday gave out some figures in
connection with the Southern rail-
way and the Central of Georgia rail-
way, which are interesting.
These figures show that fines for
delays are being regularly levied. 1t
is declared moreover, that they will
be collected. Still the railroads are
given an opportunity to show cause
why they should not be penalized for
late arrivals Of trains, which cause
delays in the delivery Of mail. Fail
sure to perform satisfactory mail SER
vice according to contract has recent
ly subjected the Southern to single
fine of $4,000, it is announced.
For the quarter ending December
81, 1906, during which so many sert-
Gus and protracted delays occurred on
trains entering Atlanta, the South
ern road was due to earn for the
transportation of mail matter and rent
of postal cars, total of S244,225.70,
Against this 1t is announced that fines
were levied aggregating $1S,32S.26. On
the main line of the Southern be-
tween Washington and Danville, the
fines for 'delinquencies" as the de-
partment designates delays, and fall
ure to perform satisfactory Its serv.
ice as mail carrier, fines levied
amounted to 10 per cent Of the total
pay due the road.
On the Central of Georgia railroad
between Atlanta and Savannah, and
on the Atlanta, Albany, Montgomery,
Ala, and Columbia. Ala, line the
amount due to be earned was $32,-
1880, and the total of fines levied
on these lines for the quarter was
$7Os.59. T.
The work of the division of inspec-
tion Of the postofice department
which has charge Of tabulating the
fines against transportation compa-
nies and keeping the accounts, is al
ways three months behind In its
work. For instance the roads are
required to make an affidavit of the
failures in mail train service at the
end of each quarter. The department
works over these figures during the
next quarter and at the beginning Of
second quarter following casts up its
secvond quarter following casts up its
accounts and the roads are permitted
to submit applications for remission
of fines.
Even broken-down and worn-out
equipment, which very frequently
causes delays will not subject the
roads to punishment, if, when such
delays occur, it is shown that the
equipment was properly inspected and
found to be in satisfactory condition
when the train pulled out for the
run.
When a settlement is finally reach
ed it is fully possible, in view Of the
excuses accepted by the department,
that fully so per cent of the fines may
be remitted.
The following excuses for late ar.
rivals are held to be satisfactory.
/. Waiting for mail connection.
: A railroad cannot escape fines for
delays caused by waiting for a connec-
tion unless such connection is mail
train from which mails are to be re.
ceived.
2. Breakage of machinery, hot box.
es and trains breaking in two after
proper inspection; provided the equip.
ment was in good condition at the
time Of such inspection.
8. Repairs or damage to bridges.
4. Wrecks, slow track, soft track
and slippery rails, when satisfactorily
explained.