Omaha daily bee., 1910-02-28
ANSWGRsTO THE PUBLISHERS
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miles and the average haul of daily news
papers only 291 miles.
The conclusion that there is no more
expense to the Movement in carrying
magazines an average distance of 104J niles
than in carrying newspapers 29l miles is so
palpably wrong as hardly to deserve com
ment. Mr.. Wilder's argument is based on
the fact that the cost of carrying a pound
Of mail is greater on certain short railroad
routes, where the weights of mail carried
are small than on many longer lines where
the weights carried are greater. He asserts
tfat as the newspapers are in the short
hauis they are more than likely in the
small weights, and therefore cost the gov
eminent a higher rate per pound than
magazines This involves the erroneous
that newspapers, because they
are hauled a small average distance, are
likely to be carried over the short, light
weigh routes instead of the main railroad
lines. AS a matter of fact, it is the main
lines that enter large cides where the news
papers are published, while the short, light
weight routes seldom touch large cities. The
fallacy of the associations whole conten-
ton is conclusively shown by the fact that
the entire weight of mail of all classes
carried on these short, lightweight routes
is little more than 10 per cent of the weight
Of newspapers alone carried on all the rail-
roads.
He further contends that the pay for
these short lightweight routes has an
enormous influence in raising the average
cost of railroad transportation per pound.
In reality, the total pay for these light
weight routes is only 2h per cent of the
total COmDRngation for RAILROAD ea-,lee
Proper Allowance for Equipment.
Railway Clerks Handle seeond-cIass.
The associations representative declares
that only 22 per cent of the total cost Of
the railway service should be charged
against second class matter. This state
ment show a woeful ignorance Of the rail-
way mail service. The mistake evidently
arose from a misconception OF the meaning
OF certain technical terms used in the de-
partment's reports, resulting In the err
roneous conclusion that only IL per cent
OF second-olass matter is handled in the
railway mail service. The truth ia tbst
about Is per cent OF such matter is 40
handled. The absurdlty of the association
Figures In this regard is best illustrated
by a practical application Of them. An
estimate made on that basis would allow
for handling only an average of one and
a half sack Of -second-olass mail on each
train.
The representative Of the association
claims that the apportlonment Of the cost
Of railway pJstoffice car service should be
made on the same basis as that of the
railway mail service.
This illustrates his unfamiliarity with
the work In railway postoffice cars. Car
service is paid for on the basis OF space
required for the handling Of the mail. The
apporuonment OF the cost by tho depart
ment was based on the percentage OF space
required, being 1888 per cent for second
class matter. 1t Is estimates that II sec
ond-class matter were not carried and
distributed In these cars 80 per cent Of tho
space now paid for would be required.
AppOFtiOnment of Salaries.
No theory advanced b. the associations
representative Is more remarkable for un-
soundnsss than that the expense due 70
salaries OF postmasters, assistant post
masters, and clerks charged 70 second
class matter should be apportioned, on the
basis Of the percentage Of revenue from
second-class matter 10 the total revenue
This assumed relation between the cost Of
handling man matter In postofflces ana