Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1914-03-19
FOURTH ASSISTANT POSTMASTER
GENERAL DOES QUICK, NEAT
WORK AT Sites.
ADJUSTMENT SATISFACTORY
Meets Mail Route Men and Reviews All
Phases of Complaints-Much
Criticism Groundless.

AT a meeting held at Sites on Satur-
day last between the fourth assistant
of the post office department and the
star route contractors of the Sites Elk
City and the GrangevilleNe Meadows
routes in regard to an increase of pay
on account of parcel post, satisfactory
adjustment was made.
That the weight of the mails has in
creased over these lines since the in
auguration of parcel post has not been
a disputed fact and the government has
admitted at all times that where ad-
ditional weight could be shown ad-
ditional pay would be allowed. There
has been weighing of mails twice
since parcel post has been in vogue first
in May and June Of last year and again
in October and November, the last
weighing being made to attain any ad-
ditional weight due to the 90 pound
packages on which additional compen.
sation has been allowed. Since the in
crease to so pounds, which was made
January l, there has not as yet been
weighing, the department apparently
waiting to ascertain what months would
be the fairest in which to make such
weighing.
What Law Says.
There has been some criticism locally,
because of the delay in extending this
additional pay. The fair minded man
will readily understand the delay when
the law on the subject which place
certain restrictions on the postmaster
general is understood. Paragraph two,
section five has this to say in regard to
readjustments of compensation: "The
postmaster general may readjust the
compensation of star route and screen.
wagon contractors if it should appear
that as a result of the parcel post sys.
tenn the weight of the mail handled by
them has been materially increased. Be-
fore such readjustment, however, do.
tailed account must be kept as to the
amount of business handled by such star
route contractor before and after this
section becomes effective for such q
period as to clearly demonstrate the
amount of the increase and that such
increase in the weight of the mails was
due to the adoption of the parcel post
laws.o Thus it will be seen that the
only compensation paid must be based
tnv inn fnbt 1o% rata su
allowed by law.
1t has been maintained right along by
many that the department would do all
in its power to compensate the contrac-
tors for the additional weight and the
settlement made at Sites Saturday
through the making of supplemental
contracts fulfills this prediction. Under
the supplemental contract all parcel
post, except persishable, will be put
through on a ten days running time be-
tween terminals, thus affording the
contractors an opportunity to bulk the
shipments of fourth class matter if
they desire and permitting them to do a
passenger business as Of yore, the first
and second class mail being the only
kind that they are compelled to carry
on the regular schedule. They revert
back to their original contract and are
paid by the pound for the fourth class
This is substantially leaving the mail
contractor just as he was before parcel
post was inaugurated, insofar as
: weight is concerned and granting time
!. extension and pay by the pound for the
carrying of the fourth class mail. The
= contracts date from March Is but back
pay to January will be allowed at the
same ratio.
The fourth assistant impressed every
one with the spirit of fairness and made
!. every effort the rules and regulations
: permit to adjust matters in way that
: would satisfy all parties.
). Adjust AL Troubles.
b The Whitebird-Boles route, which ha,
! been thrown up by the contractor and
$ over which there has been NO regula
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