New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-05-03
THE POSTAL CONGRESS-.
FIRST SESSION IN AMERICA TO OPEN IN
WASHINGTON ON WEDNESDAY.

FIRST SESSION IN AMERICA TO OPEN IN
WASHINGTON ON WEDNESDAY.
Washington. May 1.-THE postal operations Of the
world will pass in review before OF the most
distinguished bodies that ever met in this country
when the Universal Postal Congress convenes In
this city next Wednesday, 1t Is the first time that
the Universal Postal Union, now comprising and
controlling. far the mails are concerned. all
the organized governments save three-Chna, Co.
and the Orange Free State-has had Its dele
gates assemble in America, and the deliberations
OF its fifth sextennial convention will DO marked
by perhaps pronounced formality than has
attended any convention Of either National or In
ternational scope that has gathered In this coun-
try for a long period.
Sixty-odd countries and provinces will be repre-
sented by about hundred and twenty delegates,
each country having but single vote The
sions will be held in the historic old building which
until recently the home Of the Corcoran Art
Gallery. The hall has been equipped with desks
and other conveniences, and a postofice will be In
operation on the spot until the meetings close.
The delegates who will form the congress men
OF the highest rank In postal service. The Post
masters General OF several nations among
them, while leading diplomats have been sent by
some of the countries.
portion of the delegates already here
Those who remain In New-York until tomorrow
afternoon will be brought in a special train
of four cars provided by the Pennsylvania Rail-
road. Second Assistant Postmaster General Shall
lenberger and Mr.. Brooks, superintendent ~ for
eign mails, are now in New-York. and Will accom-
pany the party 10 this city The train will leave
Jersey City soon after o'clock.
At previous gatherings the congress has received
unusual courtesies from the nations whose guests
the delegates were. and. while this Government is
hampered by lack OF satisfactory funds. the Post
office Department will do everything possible to
m a ny, an lip hast 2 10 ponr
the probabilities based precedent that the dele
gates will be entertained by both the President md
The Postmaster General. and the District Commits
Is granted, give an official reception and a water
The delegates, before the close Of the congress
will also be taken on journey in the West, re-
The deegStSs " viii be In Washington from
month to six weeks. but the congress itself will
work save that Of Of pr rt" when
the committees report-which belongs to the full
w be in SESSION paea
Se day ha and snpdy one
Is adopted at every congress and also will settle
latter this country has noihng to d. second
committee viii take up arrangements for exchange
H 6Ok Of assd Sy
countries. A third will consider money orders. bills
collectible by post and subscriptions through post
offices to newspapers and periodicals.. while the
fourth VIII put the new general treaty into definite
The congress will be opened on Wednesday
morning, by PostmasterG General Gary, who will
deliver his salutatory in English. while the as
semblage reads the French translation. This will
occupy little over five minutes, being n formal
welcome Then the senior delegate not now Sc
Of presiding officer will follow. General George
S. Batcheller. ex-Minister TO Portugal and chair
man of the United States delegation. probably Will
be elected The business OF the CONGRESS will be,
French and behind barred doors.
Many measures win be brought forward FOR
consideration. The new treaty, general convcn-
ton. and several minor ones signed by only two
or three Of the countries. Will he discussed and
adopted in substitution of old ones. In order to
cover conditions. Perhaps the most important
proposition will involve what Is known as the in
pensaton by the sending country 10 all countries
over whose domains its mails are transported An
in the Union mutually free will be proposed. but
probably voted down. Such countries Belgium.
much foreign mail is transported at a big profit
TO the kingdom, Will object 10 cutting off this
source OF revenue. This will practically defeat the
scheme. wefOunded dissent kills propo-
sition. This country and few others. however
have declared In favor Of free transportation. The
ultimate action IT is said. will probably he the
last six years basis OF all intermediary transit
accounts up 10 the assemblage of the next con-
gress-that Is, up TO 1903 when the issue will be
revived.
The much-agitated proposition to adopt uni
versal postage stamp, not good for domestic post
countries. and the universal return tamped.en
ope proposition having smilar scope VII also
are said to be against both. with the latter having
the better chance of the two.
There will be no upset of postage rates but an n,
probable, thus making an ounce: or three-quarters
Of an ounce the unit, instead OF the present half
The three countries still outside-China Corea
and the Orange Free State-are expected to be
admitted before the congress Is closed. though the
last named has not yet been heard from on this
subject.