Evening star., 1949-05-19
Defends Railroads Against Charge
OF Rocking" the Government In Wartim,

Defends Railroads Against Charge
or Rocking" the Government In Wartime
To the Editor Of The star
In his letter TO The Star. Saturday, May
IA. Vox Pepper failed TO present a case
either against David Lawrences article on
railroad mail pay or against the railroad
lobby" The writer OF that letter is himself
guilty of the crime Of which he accuses Mr.
Lawrence. He states without attempt at
proof. that.
% Mr.. Lawrence doesn't know the facts
tabout mail pay: t2' that during World
War II Uncle Sam was gouged out OF "sev-
eral billion dollars" by the railroads: 81
that the Reed -BulWinkle bill 'baled the
railroads out OF court.
/ would appreciate an opportunity TO reply
TO these charges.
II Vox Pepper sincerely is interested in
facts. he will be interested In knowing that
during l945 the railroads hauled 9$7 per
cent OF the inter-city frst-claSs mail piece
basis. for which they received $40, ,347. .7ss,
the airlines hauled 53 per cent. for which
they received SAL 23s,s7l. The figures speak
for themselves.
In this connection. David Bernstein. in
the May issue OF Harpers Magazine states
that payment for carrying mail Is com
puted. not on the actual cost OF the service.
but on the financial needs OF the airllnes. -
No one. in or out OF the Post Office Depart
ment. has been able 10 figure out just how
much 1t really should cost, without subsidy.
TO fly one or a hundred sacks OF airmaD
letters from one city TO another" In view
of these facts can 1t be fairly stated that a
request by the railroad for equitable treat
ment and payment Is a ''voracious demand?'
Vox Pepper prejudges the case when he
accuses the railroads OF aouging the Govern
ment during the war. Whether the railroads
are guilty of rocking" Uncle Sam has not
been proven. II is true that the Attorney
General has made the accusation but since
when does accusation signify guilt7 The
facts of this case will show that railroad
rates paid by the Government during the
war were in no instances higher. and in
nearly every case were substantially lover,
than those paid by private or commercial
shippers
While the railroads collected something
over IS 900 900 900 for shipment of Gov
eminent wartime freight for the period
lo42 through is45, they paid the Govern
ment nearly 1868 600. 600 in taxes sow
II the Government is successful in secur-
ing another 81 900 900 900 or 50 600 900 900 tn
the form OF reparationz they wili have OBJ
tanned from the railways approximately
for hauling wartime freight under Govern
ment bills Of lading.
II should be noted that with land grant
rates and other voluntary rate reductions
made by the railroads. the Government WAS
saved an additional $50 900 900 year.
As for the Reed -Bulwtnkie bin. believe
this bin was backed by q majority Of ship
pers and traffc organizations rs well a. by
the railroads However. admit q lack Of
sufficient knowledge TO make much com
ment on this Law. Apparently. though, Con-
gress did not share vox Peppers opinion that
il would bail the railroads out Of court.
but rather. felt II was Just and equitable
piece of legislation
join vox Pepper In his- plea for soEns
one TO present the facts o! the mall pay
proposition 20 the public, In fact / go
further and ask for some one 10 present all
the facts and show how our Government
subsidies competing forms Of transportation
st the expense Of the railroads and the iax-
payers II this we're 70 happen. ! think
even vox Pepper would change his mind
about our CONTAGIOUS public servants"
who he believes are protecting the public
interest" !. for one. do not share his
opinion. WILLIAM EHEAFFER