The Wallace miner. [volume] (Wallace, Idaho) 1907-current, 1913-01-23

lier adjustment Of existing contracts, y
said Mr.. J. p. OBrien, vice president
and general manager of the Oregon
Washington Railroad & Navigation
company to representative of Port :
land paper recently.
"The committee on railway mail pay
representing 214,275 miles of railway
in the United States. operated by 26S
companies, has issued statement con-
tanning facts and figures which prove
that the railway mail pay does not
equal the operating expenses it makes
necessary, leaving nothing for return
upon the value Of the property.
"rhis statement was called forth by
report to congress by the postmaster
general In which he claimed that the
railroads were being overpaid for the
work of carrying the mails. The COM
|
of carrying the mails is much greater
| than the postmaster general estimates
it to be, and that even his own figures
demonstrate that the railroads are not
fairly paid now for the work that they
do and for the facilities that they fur
nish. The statement of the committee
further calls attention to the fact that
the Inauguration of the parcels post
will force the mail pay still further
below the level of Just compensation
by enormously increasing the volume
of the matter transported.
",rhe people of the Pacific northwest
receive large amount of mail over
the O.-W. r. & N. In connection with
related lines we operate a fast mail
train from Chicago to the coast. This
train makes the best running time of
any train on our lines. I'll is made up
solely of mail and express cars We
are enabled by its operation to make
prompt delivery of mail and articles
sent by express. In Portland, for en-
ample, within three-quarters of an
hour from the time of the arrival of
the fast mail at 1880 q. m. the letters
are being distributed by the carriers.
The mail clerks sort the mail bv routes
on the train. Equally prompt delivery
is possible with the express
1T costs large amount to operate
trains of this character Our best en-
gines are needed on the runs. Where
there are heavy grades, two engines ,
are used to maintain the schedule !
New and expensive steel cars have |
been substituted for the wooden ones |
These cars, lighted and heated, are
placed on station tracks for advance
distribution often MANY hours before
The departure of trains. Mails are
called for and delivered at a large pro-
portion of the postofflccs located at l.
railway towns
"Enlarging the size and increasing
he weight of the package which NAV
De sent by mail means dininution in
he number of packages which will be
tent by express. The railroad com
ANY is paid for the latter but is un-
Ierpaid for the mail at present. and
nc parcels post will increase our work !
% that we are in position to lose I.
mounts that can not be even APP ,
fortunately estimated at this time
The railroads are anxious to serve \
he people. but they can not be ex- !,
ectcd tn continue to do this at "A great
ISIS entailed through the failure of !
ne United states government to pro- =
erly reimburse them for services rem :,
cred. Mail weiglngs are made olad- y
Prior to the next weighing n
10 mail CARRYING lines stand To lose 6
sums. !,
we are giving good service with our u
~ mail. We are meeting the de- j.
ana FOR expeditions delivery. should -
70 demands Of the mail service under n
s new conditions brought about by "
e inauguration Of the parcels nosf Y
'crssitafe an additional amount of ~
hip'nent we may he compelled to ",
r'ail our service. This will not be ~
ne, however If Just compensation X.
received" ~,