The Brunswick news., 1916-07-14
OFFER IS MADE
} BY BOAT PEOPLE
To GOVERNMENT
To Handle Mail Under Old Con-
tract Until Matter Can
Be Adjusted.
MANY TELEGRAMS ARE SENT
AS Result People on ST. Simon
Except Those at the Hotels,
Are Without Mail and the
Matter Becomes Rather Seri-
MANY TELEGRAMS ARE SENT

Although the wires between Bruins
wick and Washington were kept busy
yesterday in connection with the st.
Simon mail situation, there were no
new developments, further than the
fact that mail was completely tied up
for the day, none being dispatched
to or from ST. Simons. One or two
people, however called in person at
the local office and were given their
mail here by Postmaster Leavy, who,
in case of an emergency can deliver
mail in transit
The postmaster at st. Simon came
to the city on the morning boat in
an effort to perfect some temporary
arrangement whereby the people of
the island could be served until the
matter is finally settled, but she was
unsuccessful in her efforts, and prac-
tically all mail for people on the is
land, except those stopping at the
hotels, is held at the Brunswick Of
flee.
Since July first, a number of tele-
grams and letters have been eXchang
ed between Brunswick and Washing
ton, and the board of trade, through
Senator Hardwick, has made a num-
ber of propositions, all of which have
been refused by the postoffice depart
ment. On July 8, the following tele-
gram was sent to Senator HardWick
by the board:
"St. Simons Transit company as
serts positively that department is
misinformed as to their preventing
mail landing at Ocean Pier. Transit
company operates schedules May 10
to September Is only, and to accom-
modate ST. Simons people as we'll as
meet departments wish now say they
will transport mail on present sched-
ules at departments offer until Sept
ember Is next giving department full
time for making other arrangements.
In meantime if desired they will fur
nish affidavits showing they have
not stified competition for this route
in any way whatever or charged for
use of their pier for landing or receiv-
ing mails"
In reply to that telegram the de-
partment refused to award contract
until September 10. stating that a
contract for four years or nothing
would be entered into.
Investigation Ordered.
- -hesday night this telegram was
sNtY1y the board of trade to the
second assistant postmaster general:
Inquiry OF st. Simons Transit com
pany develops the fact that their of
fer transmitted through Senator
rHadwick to carry the mails to St.
Simons until September Is at the de-
partment's rate. was intended to be
taken as indicating their willingness
to accept whatever rate the depart
ment sees fit to make, and was made
to prevent cessation of mail to st.
Ssmons. which already is working
a great inconvenience and has arous-
ed a storm of protest. Can you ac-
cept their offer? Please answer"
In reply to that telegram Secretary
Smith yesterday received the follow
ing from Oto Praeger, the second as
sistant postmaster general:
Your wire twelfth. Postmaster st.
Simons island notified department
twelfth st. Simons Transit company
refused transportation to special car
/, rier appointed by him to transport
mail from Brunswick. Postmaster has
been notified that pending an inves-
tigation he can employ best possible
service under special authorization
at approximately ffty-fve dollars
per month"
The last telegram sent during the
day was one in reply to the above,