Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1897-05-06
REPRESENTATIVES, OF 55 NATIONS
MEET IN WASHINGTON.
AMERICAN ELECTED PRESIDENT
WORK OF THE CONGRESS TO BE
DONE BY THREE COMMITTEES.
Congress VIII Meet Occasionally to
Hear Reports - Delegates From
the Various Countries Wear
Their National
Costume.

Washington, May 5.-The universal post
al congress met to-day in the great hall
of the old Corcoran art gallery. About
fifty-ive countries, comprising most of
those in the postal union, were represent
ed. Korea, China and the Orange Free
State. which are now outside the pale of
the union, had delegates present. 1t is
expected that the work of the congress
will extend over about six weeks. Most
of the work will be transacted by COM
mittees. which will submit the result of
their labors to the congress about once
week. The hall presented brilliant ap-
pearance when General Batchelier, the
premier delegate of the United States,
called the congress to order at IL o'clock.
The delegates were attired in dress suits
or full court costume, their breasts be-
spangled with glittering insignia and en-
ameled orders. The Oriental delegates Were
very picturesque in their flowing silken
robes. The Korean wore his boX-like
headgear and the Turk his red fez. The
decorations of the hall were lavish. The
walls were rich with gorgeous tapestries,
vailing colors were gold and crimson. The
sessions of the congress were held behind
closed doors. Postmaster General Gary,
Assistant Postmaster General Heath. Gem
eral Bachelor and Captain Brooks did the
honors. Postmaster General Gary deliv-
cred the address of welcome.
Mr.. Camille Delessert, director for Laus-
anne Switzerland, the dean of the union,
followed the postmaster general with a
brief address. and then, on the, part Of
the c9ngress Sopt proposed th General n,ads
delegates, as president of the congress,
and he was unanimously chosen. General
Batcheller made fitting response in
French.
Mr.. Hohen. director of the postal union
of Berne, was chosen secretary of the
congress: Mr.. II. CALI. sub-director; Mr..
A. Wenlling. secretary.
krain. second secretary. On the part OF
the United States. Colonel Chaille-Long
well Hatcher, second secretary, and w. A
Brown, third secretary.
NJ. Ausault. administrator of mails and
| telegraphs, of France. on behalf of the
congress- made a brief address in eulogy
of the president of the United States, and
of the generous hospitality extended to the
! concluded by offering TO the president the
| sincere felicitations of the congress.
An elaborate luncheon was served at the
conclusion of the preliminary exercises.
In the afternoon, the three committees
! which Will have charge of the detailed
work of the congIe Iess. adjourned to meet
at the call of the president. who will sls-
scmble the delegates as soon as one OF the
committees is ready to report.
The general committee on ways and
| means is composed of the delegates from
| twenty-four countries. Mr.. Walpole, one OF
| the British delegates, was chosen president
| of this committee. Nj. Sevastianofr of Rus
sia. vice president. and NJ. Sterfin. of Bel.
gium. recording secretary.
| The committee on registered mails Is
! composed of the representatives of twenty.
| three countries. with NJ. Assault. of France
! as president. NJ. Chiaradia. of Italy vice
| president, and Mr.. +. Cermann. of Ell.
| gland, secretary.
' The committee OH money ORDERS drafts
| and newspaper subscriptions is composed
| of delegates from twenty-one countries
| with MIR. Fritch. of Germany. president
Mr.. Neubauer. of Austria. vice president
| and Mr.. DeleSsert, of Switzerland. secre.
| tary.
A movement is on foot to secure an ad
| ditional appropriation OF $4,000 for the en-
| tertainment or the visitors by the city OF
| Washington. Congress has already apDro
| priated $4,000 for entertainment by tn,
! government. It is probable that some o.
1 this money will be expended in giving tn,
| delegates an excursion to the Mississipp
| valley and to the Northwest.