The Lee County journal. (Leesburg, Ga.) 1904-19??, 1907-05-10
LOOP-HOLES
In EXCUSES
Penalizing Of Railroads Has Many
Strings Attached.
FEW FINES COLLECTED
Mail-Carrying Trains Accorded Many Ave
nues in Escaping Payment for
Alleged Breach Of Contract.

A Washington special says: Declar-
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. It
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
ure to perform satisfactory mail SER
vice according to contract has recent
ly subjected the Southern to a single
fine of $4,000, it is announced
For the quarter ending December
81, 1905, during which so many serl-
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, a total of $244,22570,
Against this it is announced that fines
were levied aggregating $18,328.26. On
the main line Of the Southern be-
tween Washington and Danville, the
fines for 'de1inQuencies" as the de-
partment designates delays, and fail.
ure to perform satisfactory it's 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
$7O859
The work Of the division Of inspec-
ton of the postofice department
which has charge of tabulating the
fines against transportation compa-
MES and keeping the accounts, is al
ways three months behind in it's
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 it's
secvond quarter following casts up its
accounts and the roads are permitted
tn submit applications for remission
of fines
Even broken-down and WORKOUT
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 50 per cent Of the fines may
be RENTED.
The following excuses for late ar.
rivals are held to be satisfactory.
1. Waiting for mail connection.
A railroad cannot escape fines for
delays caused by waiting for a connec-
ton unless such connection is a mail
train from which mails are to be re.
ceiyed
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.
f. Wrecks, slow track, soft track
and slippery rails, when satisfactorily
explained