The sun., 1918-07-29
WHEN OLD HICKORY RULED.
A Glimpse Of the Progress in the
Transportation OF the Malls.

To THE EDITOR OF THE SUN--Sir. THE
Sun Of Friday. July 10. 1918, reports
the transfer OF mail from Washington
TO New York in 100 minutes. The dis
lance IL given as 225 miles
The following extract from the report
OF General Jackson's Postmaster-Gen-
eral Is of interest. The Hon. w. 7.
Barry was the chief of the department.
His report, dated November %, 1884.
shows he was a progressive, wideawake.
but withal n little sceptical and con-
siderably suspicious official. His re-
port reads;
THE multiplication OF railroads In
different parts OF the country promises.
within a few years. TO give greater ra-
pldity TO the movement OF travellers.
and 1t is a subject worthy OF inquiry.
whether the measure may not now be
taken 10 secure the transportation Of
the mail upon them.
Already have the railroads, between
Frenchtown. in Maryland. and Newcas-
tie, in Delaware. and between Camden
and South Amboy. in New Jersey, af-
forded great and important facilities TO
the transmission OF the Great Eastern
mail. The railroads between this city
and Baltimore will soon be completed.
and the distance from the post office
in this place TO that OF Baltimore viii
not be materially varied from the pres
cnt road. thirty eight miles. From Bal
timore by Fort Deposit. In Maryland.
to Coatesville. IN Pennsylvania, the line
for a railroad is located and the stock
subscribed for its completion. and from
Coatesville to Philadelphia railroad
is made and is in operation. The dis
lance between Baltimore and Philadcl-
phia on this road will be III mile.
about eighteen miles further than the
present land route. From Philadelphia
to Trenton Bridge. about twenty-eight
miles. the railroad is nearly completed.
and from New Brunswick, in New Jer-
sey, TO Jersey city. on the west side
OF the Hudson River, opposite the city
Of New York. thirty miles, the railroad
is In state OF progress.
when these works shall have been
completed the only interval will be
between Trenton and New Brunswick,
about twenty-six miles, to complete an
entire railroad between this place and
the city OF New York, and 1t cannot be
supposed that the enter1rsing State OF
New Jersey will long delay to perfect
communication OF such great impor-
lance. passing through most of her
largest and most fourishng towns.
when this shall be done the whole
distance between this city and New
York, on a continuous railroad, will not
exceed 24o miles, and the journey may
be performed at all times with GER
tainty, allowing ample time for stopping
at important places on the road. In six
teen hours. and ordinarily in shorter
time. II provision can be made 10 Sc
cure the regular transportation OF the
mail upon this and upon other railroads
which are constructing, and in some
instances already finished it will be OF
great utility TO the public, otherwise
these corporations may become exorbi-
tant in their demands. and prove even
tually to be dangerous monopolies."
In the report OF the Hon. Amos Ken
dali, Postmaster General. dated Decem-
Der s, 1895, schedule Of distances,
minimum time allowed the mail coaches
and hours OF departure and arrival Of
malls Is given:
New York to Philadelphia. ninety miles
time. nine hours, depart at i. NJ; ar
rive no, later than 4. NJ.
Philadelphia to Baltimore, 100 miles
time. ten hours. depart at 2:3o A. NJ;
arrive not later than 1880 p. NJ.
Baltimore to Washington, thirty-eight
miles time. four hours; depart at p
NJ. arrive not later than ) 7, NJ
.o,ordIpg IN Mr. KandaIra ayures tho