New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-11-16
POSTAL DEVELOPMENTS.

The reported intention Of the Postmaster
General TO send a special commission to New
York to recommend plans for the Improvement
on a large scale of the postal facilities Of this
metropolis Is entirely IN line with the wise and
liberal policy which has characterized the Ad-
ministraton's dealings with this, the great
revenue-producing Office OF the country. 1t has
sometimes been difficult TO persuade postal off,
Gals that parsnony IN dealing with New-York
was comparable to killing the goose that laid
the golden egg. II they gave this city just IA
cilities enough TO keep complaints suppressed,
and used what was earned here to make up the
deficit Of other offices, they thought they were
doing good business. The idea that New-York-
ers, as the great contributors TO postal reve-
nues, were entitled to receive specially rapid
service, and that such service could be Of ad-
vantage TO the rest OF the country or means
Of raising additional revenue, made slow prog
ress Now however, 1t is the accepted opinion
In the Department, and the whole postofiice
system is likely to benefit from the new spirit
OF enterprise.
New-York, as the chief entry port Of foreign
mail matter and central point Of transfer for
domestic mall has much work to do not prop
erly chargeable to Its own account but the
expenditures here is likely to forget that fact.
Neither is 1t the New Yorker alone who benefits
II letters can be delivered in time for an an
swer to be on the way within few hours after
a through express reaches Jersey City or the
Grand Central Station.
The whole country sends messages here more
than to any other point, and Is as much con-
cerned In the rapid delivery Of its letters as is
.f,o, x,yho
Tho contemplated development OF the pneu-
matic-tube system, already in operation, so as
to make possible rapid communication between
all iectiOns Of the city, almost rivalllng the
telegraph, will require considerable initial
outlay, but that investment cannot fail to bring
large returns 1t will mean a practical Gov
eminent monopoly Of local messages
The lack Of adequate postal service has com
PEELED business men to resort to private mes
seagers or local delivery companies. These de
vices have been expensive and only half salts
factory. The Government. with its largo ex
listing plant. can do tho work better and cheaper
and reap large return. Every extension o.
postal facilities has resulted In revenues NOR,
than compensating for the initial loss.
network Of tubes between postal station
involves more than a development Of the spe
Cldl uellFcIy ecINiCC iHtO laISciy TcuuuoIo
tive part Of the postal system. 1t means max
ing all the suburban towns within q radius o
fifty miles practically part Of the metropo
lis so far as letter-writlng goes All thes
towns have good train service, but the SLOW
mail deliveries made it almost impossible 70
an answer to letter sent to the city to be re
ceived the same day. II the malls are prompt
delivered In town by tube such rapid com
ynunication is easy. That 1t would bring
large business to the city and handsome profit
to the Postoffico is not to be doubted. The pres
ent enlightened policy Of the POstoflce d.