The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-12-16
POOR MAIL SERVICE.
People in Kansas Towns Complain to
Uncle SAM

| Washington, Dec. 16.-The financial
stringency has affected railroads to
the extent that it has impaired pas
| senger and mail service in Kansas, as
well as in other states, and patrons
| are calling for help from Washington
for the restoration of former service,
or something better than, in many
cases, they now enjoy.
From at least two sources in Kan
sas members of congress are being APP
pealed to for aid in restoring mail SER
vice. The theory is, of course. that
if mail service is restored, it carries
with it better passenger service. which
IS also desired. Calls like these are
maple TO be made more frequently
from now on.
The main complaint comes from the
north central section of the state,
traverSed by the Central Branch of
the Missouri Pacific railroad. 1t ap-
pears that the Central Branch has
greatly curtailed service west of
Downs, where the line divides the
main part running on to Lenora. and
the stub to Stockton. 1t Is from the
country fed by the Stockton branch
that the loudest cry for help comes
1t appears that the service is greatly
impaired, and, as one correspondent
puts 1t, Saturday mail does not ar
rive at Osborne until Monday night"
Representative Reeder have been ap-
pealed to by the sufferers in Osborne
and Rocks counties, and have taken
the matter up actively at the post
office department where they hope
something may be accomplished.
Senator Long and Mr.. Reeder called
on the second assistant postmaster
general, who has charge of trans
portation of mails, Immediately uaon
receipt of the complaints
In case of this kind, there is not
much that can be DONE as the only
thing for the department to accom-
plfsh is to take up the matter of ser
vice with the railroad company and
seek to persuade the company to bet
ter it. OF course If the service is
VIGOROUSLY bad, or If there is sheer
neglect in the mail contract, then the
department can act; but in the usual
cases, the department merely offers
it's best offices to the communities
affected and seeks to get better service
by persuasion. Senator Long and Mr..
Reeder asked that full investigation
be made, and that something be done
if possible.
Another case is that of Onaga,
Pottawatomie county This town is
on the Leayenworth. Kansas & West
ern branch of the Union Pacific. Its
service is therefore not the best. Also
it is on the new Topeka & North
western road. Which, owing to what. it
mittently. having reduced It's six-day
service to tri-weekly. Mail has
heretofore been pouched out of To-
peka to Onaga, where the operation of
the new road ended for some time,
and the town was trying to get
regular mail service. with postal
clerk. Senator Long had the matter up
with the department for many
months, seeking in every way to Sc
cure the acceptance by the railroad
aF hxy he
government, which the postoff1ce de-
partment was unable to effect, and
only recently had some hope of sue
made by the Union Pacific to reduce
the service to tri-weekly, which of
course precluded the establishment of
regular railway service. Then the
city council of Onaga passed some in
dignant resolutions. sending them to
Senators Long and Curtis. and to
tried to do something, but could not
train service would not permit the de-
sired postal service. AS this railway
postal run had never been regularly
established. owing to the incompletion
of the road, there had never been any
actual contract by the government
with the road and therefore the post
Office department is powerleSs. 1t can
not take any remedial steps, The
Kansas members referred to how
ever, are urging the department to re-
sumo negotiations at the earliest
moment.