Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1897-05-03
POSTAL CONVENTION.
MORE THAN SIXTY NATIONS WILL BE
REPRESENTED.
is TO MEET IN WASHINGTON.
WILL DE IN SESSION FROM A MONTH
TO SIX WEEKS.
Meeting Is of the Universal Postal
Union, to Arrange New Treaty
and Review the Postal OPP
eratiOns OF the
World.

Washington, May 2.-The postal opera
items of the world will pass in review be-
fore one of the most distinguished bodies
that ever met in this country wnen the
Universal Postal congress oonvenes in this
city next Wednesday. 1t is the first time
that the Universal Postal Union. now
comprising and controlling, so far as the
mails are concerned, every organized gov
ernnont save three-China, Korea and the
Orange Free State-has had its delegates
assemble in America. and the elaboration
of its fifth seXtennial convention will be
marked by perhaps more pronounced
fornality than has attended any oonven-
ton of either national CIR international
scope that has gathered in this country
for a long period.
Sixty odd countries and provinces will
be represented by about 120 delegates,
each country having but Il single vote.
TIE sessions will be held in the historic
old Euilding which, until recently, was
the home of the Corcoran art gallery. The
hall has been equipped with desks and
other convenicnces, and Il postof1lCe will
be in operation on the spot until the meet
ings close. The delegates who will form
the congress are man of the highest rank
in postal service. The postmasters general
of several nations are among them, while
leading diplomats have been sent by some
of the countries.
A portion of the delegates are already
here. Those who remain in New York to-
morrow afternoon will be brought over in
a srecial train of four cars. rendered by
the Pennsylvania railroad. Second Assist
ant Postmaster General Shallenberger and
Superintendent of Foreign Mails Brooks
are now in New York, and will accom-
pany the party to this city.
AT previous gatherings, the congress has
been extended unusual courtesies by the
nations whose guests they were. anG while
this government is hampered by lack of
satisfactory funds, the postoffice depart
ment will do everything possible to make
this country an agreeable host. 1t Is among
the probabilities. based on precedent, that
the delegates will be entertained by both
the president and postmaster general, and
the District commissioners will, in case
an appropriation they desire is granted,
give an official reception and a water trip,
probably to Old Point Comfort and Rich
nrond. The delegates. before the close of
the congress. also will be taken on a jour-
ney in the West, returning by way of New
York.
The gathering will be in Washington
from u month to six weeks, but the con-
dozen times. The real work, save that OF
ratification of proceedings when the COM
mittees report, which belongs to the full
congress, devolves upon 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
a. IT.. t-,,1 l., ~, % Il
A second committee will take up arrange
ments for exchange of letters of declared
value the parcels-post system and the
postal books of indemnity used by some
countries. A third will consider money or
ders, bills collectible by post, and sub
scriptions through pOstoffices to newspa-
pers and periodicals. while the fourth will
put the new general treaty into definite
shape for ratification.
The congress will be opened wednesday
morning by Postmaster General Gary.who
will deliver his salutetory in English. while
the assemblage reads the French transla-
ton. This will occupy little over five
minutes. 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
business 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
substitution of old ones, In order to cover
Dnrpo fha
tant proposition will involve what is
known as the intermediate transit system.
This provides for compensation by the
sending country to all countries over whose
domains its mails are transported. An
agreement 20 carry the mails of all the
countries in the union mutually free will
countries as Belgium. which sends out lit
tie mail. but over whose lands much for
eign mail Is 'ranIIsp9rted, ran at big profit t, to
Ths Rs 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 transportation, The ultimate ac-
ton. it is said. probably will be the ac-
ceptGnce of the average weight statis-
| tics of the last six years as a basis of all
| intermediary transit accounts up to the
assemblage of the next congress- that is,
UP to 1903, when the issue will be revived.
The much agitated proposition to adopt
universal postage stamp. not good for
| domestic postage but for convenient COM
munication between countries. and the uni
| versal return stamped envelope proposition
| having similar scope. also will be brough,
| up, but the probabilities of adoption 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 allowable weight
| for letters is probable. thus making an
ounce or three-quarters of an ounce the
| unit. instead of the present half ounce
| for which the charge is now cents The
| three countries still outside. China Korea
| 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.
| Old and New Harvard.
| There was an old Harvard and there is
| new. and the line of separation is so re-
| cent that q graduate of less than twenty