Jasper County Democrat, Volume 16, Number 93, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 21 February 1914 — TO REFUSE U. S. MAIL [ARTICLE]

TO REFUSE U. S. MAIL

PRESIDENT OF M. & ST. L. WARS ON PARCEL POST. Erb Says That He Has Already Lodged a Statement With Wilson and Postmaster General.

London, England, Feb. 20.—" My road intends, as a protest against the injustice to the railroads of the present parcel post arrangements, to refuse to carry the United States mails,” said Newman Erb, president of the Minneapolis & St. Louis Railroad company, to a correspondent. “I have already lodged a statement with the president and postmaster general. “Every American railroad stands with us on this question. The trouble has been that most companies have been afraid to demand justice in any particular instance, lest worse evils befall them. I am not afraid, for I have sufficient confidence in the judgment of the American public to believe that it will recognize the righteousness of our position and give us the necessary support.

“The anomalies under the existing practice are indefensible. Concentrated ores are shipped in 50-pound sacks by parcel post and even children are tagged and so shipped. “The postofflce department increased its revenue $25,000,000 in eight months, whereas the receipts of the express companies were reduced 22 per cent Inasmuch as the railroads receive 50 per cent, of the earnings of the express companies, they were penalized with these companies. This is an imposition on the railroads, and, if permitted to continue, ft will bring about Increased rates, thus injuring the shippers. "Success in our campaign will mean that the public will pay no more for parcel post transportation and will avoid increased shipping charges.”