The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-08-21

that Is contrary to mine. but from the
knowledge l have gained, the express
business Is not remunerative at the
present time. One of the oldest traf-
fic managers In the country states that
he has done nothing but reduce rates
for over 25 years; of course, traffic
has increased and reduction has been
justified on that account, but all ex-
penses have increased likewise.
am a minor official of an express
company and do not pretend to pos
sess the knowledge that a traffic man :
ager has at his fingers ends, though
I am sufficiently close in touch to
know more than the layman, and have
worked on the matter Of Alabama rates.
The Southern Express company, with
out counsel and in the most candid
and friendly manner, appeared before
the Alabama railroad commission July
and showed by figures that were not
questioned and that are beyond cues
ton that 1t had lost 61f cents on each
package handled intrastate since the
Alabama rates went into effect, August
8. 1908. The Southern Express company
Is asking authority to increase its rates
In Alabama. While this Is BENDING and
before word has been uttered, con-
tradlcting the figures and documentary
evidence presented to the commission,
excessive.
When the legislature made the Ala
bama rates, both express and railroad
those favoring them cried out for n
Idlr trial of those rates. The express
companies Immediately put the rates in
effect and have given them a trial of
Two years. Is this not giving the pub
lie a square deal? Has not full respect
peen shown the Alabama statutes and
the commission?
The answer may be made. that inter-
state rates are too high. That NAV be
true so far as l know. 1 do know that
the express rates are lower than any
other carrier charges for small packa ges
IKE the usual express shipment Express
rates are lower than the postal rates.
Inc postoffice will carry package of
iour POUNDS, which Is the present maxi
mum, for "a cents, any distance. TIE ex
press companies charge from 25 to
90 cents and give valuation of
$50. The government, as is well known.
VIII not pay for delay, damage, loss or
even stealage by its own employees We
have just passed through a campaign in
augurated by the postoffice department,
wherein the postmaster general sought TO
have Congress raise the rate on second
class matter-newspapers and periodicals..
The postmaster general sent special
message to Congress. claiming that it
cost the government 80 per 100 pounds to
carry newspapers. l have been q railway
postal clerk and a postoffice inspector,
and it Is my opinion that the average
haul on newspapers is less than 100
miles; the newspaper man, familiar wit.
his mailing lists, knows that his bundles
decrease in weight in proportion to the
distance Travelled from the office of publ
cation The express rate from Birmlng-
ham to Chicago, on merchandise, is $40
Taking the statement of the postma ster
general as correct. that it costs the gov
eminent 50 for hauling 100 pounds of
newspaper 100 miles, the cost, under the
pr opposed parcels post. Birmingham to
Chicago, would be about $50 per 100
pounds. The rate, no doubt, would be
less 1t might ever be less than that now
charged by the express companies, but
the people would be taxed the difference,
Just as they are now. If the cost of
losses, damages, delays, stealing, attor-
neys, courts, etc, be added to the gov
ernments expenses, in case the parcels
post be established, there Is no telling
where the expense would go.
Governments appear to be established
to give successful politicians Jobs. The
national government applies this, even to
the woman who scrubs the floor at the
government building. She must have
political pull else there Is no job for her
Aside from my position with the South
ern Express company, I am farmer
and a newspaper publisher make more
money out of the last named calling;
what is good for all the people Is good