The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-03-25
Railroads Prefer Express to
Government Mail Traffic.
Claim 1t Is More Attractive
and Remunerative."
AN OFFICE ON WHEELS
Roads Claim POstoffice Officials
Disregard All Expense.
other Items of General Interest
in Railroad World.

The railroads are much concerned
at this time over the amount paid by
the government for the transportation
of the mails. The committee on
railway mail pay" representing the
mail carrying roads, has up to this
date sent out eight circular letters
dealing with the subject, together
with charts and diagrams illustrating
the railroad side of the argument. In
the latest circular sent out the fol-
lowing comparison of express and
mail contracts is made:
Considering the conditions and re-
ciprocal obligations express is far
more attractive and remunerative
than mail traffic and would be so
though the ton mile earnings from ex-
press are far less. Bearing in mind
that economical train operation means
good car loading and good train
loading, express is handled with bag
gage in cars loaded to full capacity;
mail requires a postoffice on wheels,
with space for mail racks and postal
clerks working enroute, loaded with
an average of but two tons, or one
seventh full weight capacity. The de-
sign and specifications of the post
office car are made by the depart
ment regardless of expense, as the
carrier pays, and, therefore. because
of it's special fittings for postoffice
use is much more costly to build,
equip, maintain, and haul in trains.
as its dead weight is so per cent
greater than baggage and express
cars. On the other hand, it brings in
less revenue as its net carrying ca
pacity for mail is not more than 2 u
TONS while express cars, having no
and equipment, can be loaded to Is
or 20 tons. Mails are handled on the
fastest trains, often compromising
their schedules, and special expenses
4,,orN 0v, 41aA @,-So 10 troy
fer at functions, handle free at ter
minals and into intermediate stations,
fines and deductions are made for de-
lay, etc, all of which are charges
against gross mail revenue. In the
case of express. the carriers compen-
sation is increased by services render
ed by express companies, such as free
carriage of remittances and packages,
express messengers acting as baggage
men. joint station agents and en-
ployes. etc.
Under existing contracts the car
riers are paid from so to SIS per cent
Of the gross earnings of express COM
oanies for the transportation service
rendered by the carriers. If the rail-
roads were to offer the postoffice de-
oartment the more favorable con-
racts which it is thought the express
enjoy. the railroads would
.xpect say so per cent of the gross
of the department and their
1ay from all sources from the car
.iage of mail would be raised from
,49,7OO. 900 to over $102, 100000. Ex-
PRESS companies pay the railroads SO
O So per cent of their gross earnings
or transportation; the department
,ays only "a per cent. The depart
nent retains rs per cent of its gross |
'arnings and shows a large deficit |
early: the express companies retain |
: per cent of theirs and after pay I.
ne all expenses of collecting, deliver |
ng. messenger hire. etc. pay hand- |
ONE dividends to their stockholders |
me postoffice department conducts |
Re traffic regardless of all well-found- |
d principles of economy-and very |
snce and the beneficiary should ex- |
,ect TO foot reasonable bills for the |
ervice. The express companies are
eouired by the carriers to handle
heir traffic with strict regard to
conomy.