The Mail Pay on the Burlington Railroad: Statements of Car Space and All Facilities Furnished for the Government Mails and for Express and Passengers in All Passenger Trains on the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad

"The Mail Pay on the Burlington Railroad" by Chicago is a historical account written in the early 20th century. The focus of the book is on the compensation system for railroads transporting government mail and how this system affects the financial viability of these services. It outlines the complexities of mail transportation, including the economics of space allocation, operational costs, and government regulations, during a time when the railroads played a crucial role in national communication infrastructure. The book presents an in-depth analysis of the mail service on the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad, discussing the discrepancy between the costs incurred by the railroad and the payment received from the government. It includes detailed financial statistics regarding operating expenses, earnings from passenger and mail services, and how the allocation of space aboard trains impacts profitability. The author lays out several case studies on specific routes, detailing the inadequate compensation from the government relative to the operational costs and demanding conditions imposed by the postal service. Overall, it highlights the tensions between railroads and government policy in an era of increasing demand for postal service efficiency.