The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-12-18
POSTAL CONFERENCE.
Views of Committees Of CONNER
cial Societies.
Nee ssi,ies Of the service-Winter Transpor.
tation-Affsirs in Alaska-Austra-
liam Nail Subsidy.

Some weeks since, upon the suggestion of
postmaster Backus, the various commercial
bodies Of San Francisco appointed postal
committees, the object being to secure, in so
lar as possible, the cooperation of the rep
sentative commercial societies in securing
for the postal service in San Francisco
needed facilities in the way of buildings,
clerks and general allowances. 1t was
thought by the Postmaster, and with much
reason, that the backing and support of
these societies would give greater weight to
any recommendations made for the improve
ment of the service in San Francisco
The first meeting of these various COM
mlttees was called yesterday, and was
held in the office of the Postmaster, there
?. Thomas, L. Mehlert and t. J. Parsons
from the Produce Exchange; James Caro-
Ian from the Chamber of Commerce; George
d. Cooper, N. S. Bachman and Robert Watt
from the Board of Trade; r. G. Sheath, w.
A. Holcomb and G. NJ. Taylor from the
Merchants Exchange. There were also
present, George l.. Seybolt, Chief Post
office Inspector Of San Francisco; T. j.
Ford. Superintendent of Mails, Deputy
Postmaster Quinn, General Superintendent
Cox and other postal officials.
WINTER MAIL TRANSPORTATION.
One of the first matters which engaged the
attention Of the joint committee was the
subject OF mail transportation during the
winter season when the railroads are
blockaded by washouts or snow.
The expression of those present was very
decided that discretionary powers should he
placed by the Government in the hands of
the Postmaster at San Francisco author
lzlng him to act promptly and make special
contracts to meet emergencies of this kind.
The sense of the meeting took the shape
of the following resolution, which was
adopted unanimously:
WHEREAS, IL not infrequently happens, on ac-
count OF snow or The sudden rise of water
courses in ihe rainy season, that railroad con-
nection between The sections OF country north
and south Is suspended; therefore IL is
hesotued, mat we deem II very important that
steamers iunnlng on the Coast TO carry the mails
during such suspension OF railroad communica-
lion or al any time when The facilities OF mail
transportation Can be bettered thereby; and II is
further
ResoEred, That in the sense of this meeting the
postmaster should have standing authority TO
contract Tor such special service and be empow-
cred 10 use discretionary powers as TO when 1t Is
needed.
The second matter considered was that of
mall communication with the Territory of
Alaska.
communication upon this subject was
received from I. j. Ford, Superintendent of
Mails, showing that most unsatisfactory
condition OF affairs now exists. Since the
expiration of the contract with the Alaska
Commercial Company, which formerly car
ried most of the mail TO that Territory, the
said company has refused to receive the
mails, and all communication is cut off to an
extent which is exceedingly embarrassing 10
the community. There is now a semi
monthly serv.c e with Alaska from Port
Townsend, which reaches southern points
only in that Territory. Allusion was made
TO The great commercial Importance of
Alaska, Its vast resources and future posi-
billtieS, and the necessity of regular and re-
liable mail communication strongly empha-
sized.
The following resolution covering this
point was adopted:
WHEREAS, The present facilities for the ex.
change OF mall with the Territory OF Alaska are
Insufficient and dependent upon the uncertain
movement Of steam and sailing vessels under no
ofhclal contract win The Government; and
whereas. iai &c portions of that great Territory
are without any mail facilities whatever; and
whereas, Tie growth and development OF that
great Territory justify the establishment OF per
manent and reliable mail communication con
meeting 1t with the rest OF the world; and
whereas, The matter is one of great moment 10
fore be il
Resol,ed, By the undersigned representatives
OF tie commercial bodies mere assembled, mat
The earnest attention OF Congress and OF The
Postofiice Department be directed TO The matter,
and that they be asked to provide some means
Tor meeting this want.
Resotred, That the Postoffce Department be
respectfully invited 10 send some qualified Off
CHI TO this point insti ucied 10 thoroughly inves
tlgaie and report upon The matter, ami that our
delegation In Congress lie asked 10 lend to the
Project their AID and support.
THE AUSTRALIAN SERVICE.
The next matter to receive the attention
of the committee was that of mail comuni-
cation with Australia, and the position taken
by the Postmaster-Ge General in his last re-
port, advocating liberal Government allow
ance Tor the maintenance Of this important
service, was warmly indorsed. The follow
ing resolutions covering this matter were
adopted:
Resolved, That this committee cordially In.
dorse the recommendation OF the President In
his annual message that adequate provision be
made by Congress during the present session to
Insure The permaneGce or the Australian mail
service from San Francisco under the American
flag, the continuance of which is rendered doubt.
ful by reason OF The refusal OF Australia to con-
tribute further to the cost and the Unwingness
of New Zealand TO accept the entire financial re-
Resoired, That the maintenance of direct mall
communication with New Zealand and Aus
traa aud lie adjacent South Pacific islands Is
necessary TO the protection aud development Of
American commerce.
NEEDS OF THE SERVICE.
The Secretary of the meeting at this point
read a communication from A. NJ. Cox,
General Superintendent of the free delivery
system, showing the various needs of the
service in the matter of additional carriers,
clerks, horses, etc. The whole matter of
delivery was freely discussed by the COM
mitteemen present and the unanimous con-
clusi0n reached that the facilities of the San
Francisco Postoffice should be second to
no other city Of equal size and Importance.
The matter OF distribution on incoming
trains excited more particular discussion, it
being the opinion of those present that the
city distribution service upon the cars,
which is now confined to the Eastern over
land by way Of Ogden only, should be ex-
tended and made to cover the Southern and
Oregon overland trains.
The opinion Of the committee on these
matters found expression in the following
resolutions:
muniIy are largely dependent upon a properly
equipped and literally sustained postal rervlce
this being particularly true OF great commercial
centers and points OF trade; and Whereas the
provision made by the General Government for
The maintenance OF such a service in San Fran
cisco is inadequate and not commensurate with
the growth OF our city In wealth, population and
trade. therefore be 1t
Resolved, By the representatives Of the vari-
GUS commercial bodies here assembled alI of
whom have given The subject careful study, that
Tho present provision for the postal service III
San Francisco Is ins uftcleDt and unsatisfactory;
and be IL further
Resolved. That. in the judgment OF the under
signed. Tie people Of San Francisco are justified
In making such earnest demands upon both the
department aud the General Government as
shall result in placing this postal service upon
footing more in keeping with their numbers and
commercial importance.
Resoired, That, in our judgment, the present
carrier force is insufficient for the ciiy's needs,
and should be Incl eased by at least fifteen men;
that the territory to be covered by the delivery
and collecting forces OF tho Office is great that
five more horses should be provided for its
proper service; that the work Of distribution for
city delivery on incoming trains, which Is OF in-
estmable value TO the merchant classes because
Of its time saving results Is greatly hampered by
lack Of sufticenI force. and that len Additional