Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-05-06
THE POSTAL UNION.
CONGRESS REPRESENTING II
MEETS IN WARRINGTON.
GENERAL .BATCHELLER PRESIDENT.
Remarks I'm Memory OF the Late DR..
Won stephnn-Committee Appoints
cd-Dody AdJOurns Until business
Plans Are Formulated.

WASHINGTON, May 5-The Universal
Postal Congress convened In this city
this forenoon. General Batcheller, the
premier delegate of the United States.
called the meeting to order Postmas-
ter-General Gary then delivered an adj
dress Of welcome.
Mr.. Camille de Lessert, director OF
posts for Lausanne. Switzerland, the dean
of the union. followed the Postmaster
General with a brief address. IN winch
he referred feelingly 10 the distinguished
members who had died since the con-
gress assembled, six years ago, at
Vienna. He paid a glowing tribute 10
Dr. Won Stephan, whose vacant desk was
draped in mourning, surmounted by
wreath of oak leaves and immorteiies.
NJ. de Lessert then, on the part Oh the
congress-. proposed General G.. S. Batchel-
Ter. the oldest of the United States dele
gates. as president of the congress, ana
he was unanimously chosen. Generai
Batcheller made a fitting response III
French.
Mr.. Fritch. director of the department
of posts for Germany, delivered euiogy
on DR. Won Stephan, and Mr.. Neubauer
SUPPLEMENTED his colleagues remarks
with some words of profound regret
Mr.. Holm, director of the Postal Union
of Berne. was chosen secretary OF 'he
congress; Mr.. A. Vending. hrst ASSIST
ant secretary. and Mr.. Krains second as
sistant secretary. on the part Vi 'ne
United States. Colonel Chaille Long was
chosen first secretary Robert Sloch".i'
Hatcher second secretary, and w. ~.
Brown third secretary.
NJ Mausault, the administrators OF
mails and telegraphs of France, on be-
half of the congress, made brief ad-
dress in eulogy of the President or the
limited States. and of the generous nos
pitality extended to the congress py the
American Government. He conciuueu ps
Offering to the President the sincere
fluctuations Of the congress.
An elaborate luncheon was served nj
the conclusion of the preliminary exer-
cises.
In the afternoon the three committees
which will have charge OF the uetaiieu
work of the congress were appointed
after which the congress adjourned 10
meet at the call of the president, VINO
will assemble the delegates as soon as
either one of the committees Is reauy u
report.
THE VARIOUS COMMITTEES.
The general Committee on Ways and
Means is COMPOSED of the delegates from
twenty-four countries. Mr.. Waipoie, one
OF the British delegates. was CHOSEN presl-
dent of this committee; Mr.. Sevastianoh'
of Russia. vice-president, and Mr.. Sterhn'
Of Belgium. recording secretary. The
Man &
posed of the representatives Of twenty
three countries. with Mr.. Mausault, of
France. as president; Mr.. Chirdia, OF
Italy. vice-president, and Mr.. F. c. Her
mann. of England. secretary. The Com
mittee on Money-Orders, Drafts, ana
Nevspaper Subscriptions is composed OF
delegates from twenty-one countries, with
Mr.. Fritch, of Germany, president; MI.
Neubauer Of Australia. vice-president.
and Mr.. De Lessert, of Switzerland, Sec
rotary.
All the propositions submitted by the va
rious countries to the Postal Union at its
headouarters in Berne during the past six
wears will be submitted to these COM
mittees for action. and recommendations
TO the congress. Among the propositions
is one for an indemnity of $40 on all lost
registered letters. and another for order
ing newspapers of foreign countries by
subscription drafts.
4 movement is on foot to secure an
additional appropriation of $4,000 for the
entertainment of the visitors by the city
of Washington. Congress has already
appropriated $4,000 for entertainments by
the government 1t is probable that some
of this money will be expended In giving
tho delegates an excursion to the Mis-
sissippi Valley and the Northwest.
The sessions of the congress will be
held in the hall of the old Corcoran Art
Gallery. which has been handsomely de-
corated for the occasion. Fifty-fve
countries. comprising most of those in the
Postal Union. are represented, and dele
gates are also present from Korea,
China. and the Orange Free State. 1t
is expected that the work of the Congress
will extend over about six weeks.