The true Democrat. [volume] (Bayou Sara [La.]) 1892-1928, 1916-01-29
MAY DISCONTINUE
HANDLING Mali.

Hah as@ffEsfsSA NtNb'fha1 hsp
advised congressman from districts
traversed by Its lines that II expects
very soon to discontinue handling
United States mails. This will mecca
state delivery OF mail TO large NUN.
Der of stations by wagons or other
eonseyances from the nearest points
on other railroads,
rhe Louisiana Railway and Naviga-
ton Co. refused TO agree to this portion
OF the contract required by the Post.
office Department; "Thic company
named below agrees to accept and per.
form mail service upon the conditions
prescribed by Law and the regulations
Of the department officials applicable
10 railroad mali service"
The Edenborn line has advised the
postofiice Department that the attitude
Of the department IN the matter waa to
force the company to align the contract
biindly. agreeing TO do whatever you
desire for four years"
The controversy has been In progress
since the expiration Of the contract be.
tween the company and the depart.
ment. June 80, 1914. The postotiice
Department claims that II cannot make
payment for service until the contract
ia signed Az result the Edenborn
line Row has credit OF $4,000. the
amount IL has earned In carrying the
mail since June 30. 1914. As the de-
partment refuses TO make payment
until the contract Ii signed, the rail,
way company Is on the point Of dis
continuing the service, according to
the Louisiana congressman. who have
been In communication With the com.
pany.
The Edenborn line trayerses ak con-
gressional districts. or all but two OF
those into which Louisiana 10 divided
As resul, Judge Watkins of the
Fourth district, Estopinal Of the First,
Dupre OF the Second. Wilson of the
Fifth. Morgan OF the Sixth and Aswell
OF the Eighth have been active In the
matter. Judge Watkins being from
the district most vitality affected, has
taken the leadership In the matter, but
they have been unable TO Induce the
department TO reeede from !ts original
position.
The second assistant postmaster
general. Otto Praeger, has made the
following statement In regard 10 the
situation:
THE controversy arose tilt OF The
refusal OF the railroad company to file
In the department distance circulars
for lts lines. These circulars are de-
partmental forms, sent 10 railroad
companies prior TO the Weighing OF the
mails and the REIMBURSEMENT of pay on
their routes. to be filed out by the
company and returned 10 the depart
ment.
1.-THE Louisiana Railway and Naviga.
ton Company fiied In the department
properly executed distance circulars
for its routes In connection with the
wsighIngs and adjustments for the
terms from July |, 1906, to June 10.
1910, and from July |, 1919, TO June 10,
1914, but has refused to file such eirett
lars for the current term, July !, 1919,
to June 80, 1918, and the department
has declined 10 Issue orders readiuss.
Ing the compensation for mall service
on Its routes for such term until
properly executed distance circulars
shall have been fled In the department,
The company has continued TO carry
the malls but has received no compen'
sation for the service since ialy |, 1914,
"The requirement that properly exc
cutea distance circulars shall be filed
In the department prior TO the re-
adjustments OF pay on railroad routes
la one of universal application and has
been the unbroken practice OF the de.
partment for many years. All other
railroads In the united States carrying
the mall comply with this requirement
and the department cannot properly
make an exception In favor OF the
Louisiana Railway and Navigation Co.
The department Ia now and has been
al all times since July /, 1914, willing
to readjust the pay on the routes of
that company II II will comply with
the rule In this regard, but nntil such
time must decline TO take such action,
The issuance OF the readinstment or
dera will release 60 the company the
accumulated compensation for the mail
service performed by II since July |,
1914
Con July |. 1914, the vice president
OF the company stated the rate OF com
panaation had been communicated to
the president OF the line and he had
authorized him TO gay that ha was Will
ing the service shenld continue after
InIy I'll. 1914. under the rates OF pay.