Albuquerque evening herald. [volume] (Albuquerque, New Mexico) 1911-1914, 1913-11-03
Railroads Find Parcels
Post Heavy Burden

perimont makes railroads carry mnil
between railroad stations and post OF
fees when they arc within ono-Quaf-
ter Of a milo apart Postmaster Gcn-
orai Meyer IN 1908 estimated the am
nual value 10 the department, ~ this
service performed for nothing. ns
tt.3a3. 600 The railroads 40 not wien
70 thrust upon The department the
burden uf service which would actuai-
81 cost Tho latter moro than they cost
the former. and feel that II other
matters ~ payment are satisfactorily
adjusted They would be willing 60 do
this work for nothing. but under OK
iNiing circumFianccs they feel they
should be compensated for the work
done.
other sefVIcts which the railroads
re~fofm for NhlCh they are not paid
ai,- tno furnishing 81 rooms In the
stations fuf transfer clerks. furnishing
rooms In statiens for sorting mail and
providing mail receivers and mall
CatrhffH. 30 that mails can ne put
on and taken on fast moving trains.
Every ccnalderahlc element IN the
cost 81 uppifine railroad transport
tatlon In any part Of the United
states has greatly increased since
1891 Wages paid % railroad em-
ployes have been repeatedly augment
ed. and wages absorb almost two
thirds Of the expenses o. operations
fuel costs more. locomotives and
cars are more expensive; the standard
OK service demanded by the public
has been raised. employers liabil-
lty laws, hours 81 service laws and
fuli crew laws have all helped To IN
crease operating expenses: taxes have
been multiplied. and even the rates
of Interest demanded by investors
have Increased. Recent legislation
requires more extensive use 81 steel
cars. and the railroads feel that therh
II not any Justification for "a reduc-
ton OF any rate for any considerable
volume Of tfafllc.
-Four years ago last spring mall
carried By roads IN this vicinity was
weighed, Then on January ist last
the parcel post law went into eject.
nurtIen Suddenly Increased.
Last spring. after the parcel post
had been in operation a few months
tho roads had another Weighing per-
Tod. In computing the rate OF pay for
tn next four years the parcel post
was considered, but u Is a growins
class Of mail and viii undoubtedly in
crease tremendously before the next
Weighing period four years hence.
Then without "a word Of warning
the post Office department Increased
eleven 10 twenty pounds This rulr
went into effect August 18th. The
roads feel that even ~ the limit had
not been increased they would be in
adequately paid for the next four
years hut the increase IL more than
they can bear.
And another important point In re-
gard 90 this Increased limit Us mat
the post office carries the matter
without paylng the railroads and that
much Of the parcel post mail II taken
from tho express and freight receipts
81 the railroads So the roads lose
irafIic Ia two classes and carry u Tor
nothing for the government
The roads that did not have their
weighing periods last spring have
been allowed "a 3 per cent increase in
their pay to make up for tho added
volume ~ f0nrth class matter they
viii have 10 carry. But they do not
think this isiinough.
The definite recommendation m4h'
by the committee ~ which Mr.. FetefH
is the head are as follows;
The repeal of the act ~ March
1907. which reduced pay for heavy
weights carried and reduced pay Tor
fun postal car service.
Annual wtighlngs and definite
and Just method 81 ascertaining the
daily average weights.
Pay for mail apartment car service
on basis which would compensate
for the service.
a fair allowance for side an"
terminal messenger service.
That an rates 81 pay be definite ana
not subject 90 the discretion OF thf
officers OF the post Office department
From New York sun, oct. q, 1919.