The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-05-03
THE POSTAL CONGRESS
IMPORTANT CONFERENCE TO BEGIN
IN WASHINGTON THIS WEEK.
Sixty Nations and Provinces to BE
Represented by DeIegates-Sub-
jects to Be Considered.

WASHINGTON, May 2.-The postal OPP
erations of the world will pass in review
before one 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 COM
promising and controlling, so far as the
mails are concerned, every organized gov
eminent save three-China, Corea and the
Orange Free State-has had its delegates
assemble in America, and the elaboration
of it's fifth sextennial convention will be
marked by perhaps more pronounced for
mality than has attended any convention
of either national or International scope
that has gathered in, this country for a
long period. Sixty countries and provinces
will be represented by about 120 delegates,
each country having but a single vote. The
sessions will be held in the historic old
building. which, until recently, was the
home of the Corcoran art gallery. The hall
has been equipped with desks and other
conyeniences, and a postoff1ce will be in
operation on the spot until the meetings
close.
The delegates who will form the congress
are men of the highest rank in postal sew
ice. The postmasters general of several ma
lions are among, them, while leading diplo-
mats have been sent by some of the coun-
Ui.s. Those who remain in New York to-
morrow afternoon will be brought oyer in
q special train of four cars, rendered by the
Pennsylvania Railroad. Second Assistant
Postmaster General Shallenberger ana Su
perintendent of Foreign Mails Brooks are
low in New York and will the
party to this city. The traia will leave
Jersey City soon after l o'clock.
At previous gatherings the congress has
been extended unusual courtesies by the
nations whose guests they were, and while
this government is hampered by lack of
satisfactory funds, the Postofice Depart
ment will do everything possible to make
this country IN agreeable host. 1t is among
the possibilities, based on precedent, that
the delegates will be entertained by both
the President and the postmaster general,
and the district commissioner will, in case
an appropriation they desire is granted,
give an official reception and a water trip
probably to old Point Comfort n Rich
mOnd. The delegates, before the close of
the congress-, also will be taken on a jour
ney in the West, returning by the way Of
New York.
The gathering will be in Washington from
a month to six weeks, put the congress IT.
times. The real work, save that of rati-
fication of proceedings when the commit
lees T6DOTI-Wn lCD DSIOISS 10 Tic lulL COu-
gress-devolves upon the four committees,
at least one of which will be in session
practically every day except Saturday and
Sunday. One committee will have charge
of the general treaty, which is adopted at
every congress, and also will settle ac-
counts between individual countries. With
the latter this country has nothing to do.
a second committee will take up arrange
ments for exchange of letters of declared
value, the parcels post system and the pos
tai books of identity used by some coun-
tries. A third will consider money orders,
Dllls colecuble oy post ana SUBSCRIPTIONS
through postofices to newspapers and peri
odicals, while the fourth will put the new
general treaty into definite shape for rati-
hcation.
The congress will be opened Wednesday
morning by Postmaster General Gary, who
will deliver his salutatory in English, while
the assemblage reads the French transla-
ton. This will occupy a little over five min
.utes, being q formal welcome. Then the
senior delegate, not now selected. will re-
spond in a few words; The election of a
presiding officer will follow. General George
S. Bachelor, eX-minister to Portugal, and
chairman of the United States delegation,
probably will be the honored one. The bus
mess of the congress will begin at once,
all proceedings being conducted in French
and behind barred doors.
Many measures will be brought forward
for consideration. The new treaty or gen
eral convention and several minor ones,
signed by only two or three of the coun-
tries, will be discussed and adopted in sub
stitution of old ones in order to cover new
conditions. Perhaps the most important
proposition will involve what is known as
the Intermediate transit system. This pro-
Vides for compensation by the sending
country to all countries over whose domains
it's mails are transported. An agreement to
carry the mails of all the countries in the
union mutually free will be sought. but
probably voted down. Such countries as
Belgium, which sends out little mail, but
over whose lands much foreign mail is
transported at a big profit to the kingdom,
will object to cutting off this revenue. This
practically defeats the scheme, as one we'll
founded dissent kills a proposition. This
country and a few others, however, have
declared in favor of the free transpOrta-
ton. The ultimate action, it is said, prob
ably will be the acceptance of the average
weight statistics of the last six years as
a basis of all intermediary transit accounts
that is. up to 1908, when the issue will be
revived.
The much agitated proposition to adopt
a universal postage stamp, not good for
domestic postage, but for convenient COM
municatiOn between countries, and the uni
versal return stamped envelope PROPOSE
ton. having A similar scope, also will be
brought up, but the probabilities of adop-
ton are said to be against both. with the
latter haVing the best chance of the two.
There will be no upset of postage rates.
but an increase of the llowabl weight
for letters is probable, thus making an
ounce or three-quarterS of al ounce the
unit. instead of the present half ounce,
for which the charge is now 5 cents. The
three countries still outside, China, Corea
ana the Orange Free State, are expected to
be admitted before the congress is closed.
though the last named has not yet been
hard from on this subject.