Mail Carrying Railways Underpaid

A striking snapshot of early‑20th‑century transportation policy, this pamphlet brings together the voices of senior railway executives who banded together to expose a systemic shortfall in the payments the railroads received for handling the nation’s mail. Drawing on detailed statistics from over two hundred thousand miles of track, the committee demonstrates how the existing compensation formula fails to cover operating costs, leaving railroads without any return on their infrastructure.

The document also warns of an impending crisis: the launch of a new “Parcels Post” service slated for 1913 will dramatically increase mail volume, yet the current contracts offer no additional remuneration. By dissecting the Postmaster‑General’s estimates and highlighting the flawed methodology behind them, the report makes a compelling case for urgent renegotiation before the railways are forced to shoulder the extra burden at a loss.