The Topeka state journal., 1916-12-23
Worst in History in Some of the
Larger Cities.
Day and Half Behind i'm Chi
cagO-Trains Delayed.
EXCEEDS RECORD rs PER CENT
Volume of Packages Literally
Crush Mail System.
Postmaster General Orders
Freight Cars to Rescue.

Washington, Dec 23.-Millions of
pounds of mail are inundating the
postoffice department all over the
United States today part of the
biggest job by 25 per cent that the
Christmas season ever has brought
postmasters.
Every postoffice in the country has
been hit by the deluge. A hundred
kilograms a day to the department
have told of record malls and record
obstacles to their delivery in every big
town between New York and San
Francisco.
Struggling thru billiards., mail
trains are making their way across
the country anywhere from twelve to
forty-eight hours late. Hundreds of
tons of Christmas presents are lying
at railroad stations because cars can
not be procured for them.
Postmaster General Burleson today
ordered railroads to impress fast
freight cars into service in an effort
to catch up with the biggest volume of
mail Mr.. and Mrs. America have ever
trusted to Santa Claus.
Trains IL to "a Hours Late.
At the same time mail superintend-
ents at all stations were ordered to
employ mail handlers wherever they
can be found and to send the bills to
the railroads. bound by contract to
labor to get it.
Postoffice officials refused to make
any estimate of the volume of mail.
Chicago handled 2,150 tons-4, 800, 600
pounds-in three days this week
One Chicago mail order house used
16, 600 mail sacks and paid $26,OOO
postage in one day.
Last years mail made record.
This years already has exceeded last
years by rs per cent.
Trains west of Buffalo are delayed
anywhere from twelve to twenty-four
hours, with prospects of being forty
eight hours late when they pass St
Louis, which, with Chicago, is the
worst point as regards delay.
s. Car Shortage Hurts.
Already crushed under the sheer
volume of mail, the postoffice depart
ment has run square up against the
car shortage.
Demands on railroads for equip
ment has prevented delivery of mail
cars. This shortage caused the order
to use freight cars for malls. Rail-
roads complain they can't get switch
men and yard men to handle the
cars.
Fighting to catch up with their
schedule, the postoffice department
today is ordering employment of mail
handlers and acquisition of cars,
promised to bring the schedule up to
date by Christmas morning.
I'VE have two days more" said
Second Assistant Postmaster General
Preager, unless something happens
that We can't fight, we'll bring Santa
Claus in on time"
Chicago, Dec. 23.-An unprecedent-
ed flood of Christmas mail, exceeding
last years by 20 per cent according
to estimates, is piled up in railway
I stations here today. With $50 auto
trucks and 1000 extra clerks and ev-
cry available substitute carrier work
ing at top speed, thousands of sacks
are piled up a day and half behind
schedule.
Storms have delayed practically all
trains due here today adding to the
confusion. Mail arrived later than 7
: a. m. today, may not be delivered un-
til Tuesday or Wednesday, officials
said.
Worst Congestion Ever.
Cleveland, O., Dec. 23-With Christ
mas two days off, this city today ex-
perienced the worst mail and express
congestion in it's history. Much Christ
mas mail will be one and two days
late, said officials Yesterday s
storm, delaying mail trains often
4 twelve hours, contributed
Use Triple Force at St. Louis.
ST. Louis, Dec. 23.-Traffic conges-
somewhat relieved today and outgoing
passenger and mail trains left the I'm
ion Station about on time. Incoming
trains, however, were several hours
late.
Three times the usual number of
men employed were at work today
handling baggage and mail at the un-
ion station.
Thousands of Packages Pile Up.
ST. Louis, Mo, Dec. 23.-Thousands
of pieces of mail and express packages
are piled in Union Station here with
no chance for distribution today. A
car and track shortage and a partial
walkout of station employees yesterday
caused the congestion.
| Railroad officials announced today
! trains from the east were from one to
fourteen hours late. Outgoing trains
are held up from ten to forty-five min
utes in taking the bridge elevation in
! the Terminal yards, an operation
which usually takes three minutes
Uncertainty of the arrival time OF