The evening times., 1897-05-05
THE POSTAL CONGRESS
Delegates Present From All
Parts of the Globe.
MEET At COROORAN GALLERY
Distinguished Men From Foreign
Countries, Decorated with Many
Orders-The Gathering Called 10
Order ny Postmaster General
Garv-Ris Address of Welcome.

The International Postal Congress con-
vened in the old Corcoran Art Gallery atll
O'Clock today, with about 100 delegates,
renresenting most of the civilized govern
ments OF the world.
The delegates sat at long tables, neatly
equipped with stationery and books OF
reference. Flags OF all countries flut-
terea in the draft that now and then
stole through the great doors at the head
OF the stairway.
of the delegates present was IN
full dress, but out of the moving, shifting
mass of sombre black Shone the rich, gay
decorations of distinguished foreigners.
Each cf the French delegates wore jew
eled decorations on his breast, but a
majority of those present were dTessed AS
unobtrusively as the most orthodox demo-
crat W ould suggest.
Thereception committee, comprising First
Assistant Postmaster General Perry Heath,
Can't. Brooks, Dr. Davis, Capt. Merchant
Capt White and Mr.. Nathan Smith, was
early on the ground, and the American dele
KdleS VIII dlitO1 = blAN ~ - w OIL '''N
master General Gary entered the hall with
Private Secretary Baker at 1890, and one
half hour later called the congress To order.
The principal business transacted at the
session was the delivery OF the address OF
welcome by Postmaster General Gary, The
election of a permanent presiding officer
and the appOiaCmcaJ OF committees. These
committees will meet each day and the
central body will hold one session a week
to discuss the work Of the committees.
Two hours will be given over TO lunch
daily, which viii be served in the OCtagon
room Of the arr building.
The congress viii continue in session for
about six weeks. This congress expects
TO adopt a new general convention be
tween all The governments in the postal
union 1T expects TO adopt the immediate
transit system. heretofore explained in
The Times.
This congress will also discuss the propO-
sition 10 adopt an International postage
stamp. not good for domestic postage, and
the universal return stamped envelope.
1t will also discuss the proposition 10
increase the weight allowed under single
postage
Promptly at IL O'Clock Postmaster Gen
erai Gary called the congress 10 order and
delivered the address OF welcome HeSpcke
as follows:
'Geutlemen: tender you a earty
greeting in the name Of the United states
Of America. AID welcome you TO the Capi-
tai OF this great and gro wing nation.
Whatever conGuces to the spread Of
iuteln gence, TIE encourage ment of the
arts OF peace, the enlightenment OF the
people Of all the countries, the extension
Of commerce. ana the consequent ctment-
ing Of rratemal ties between the nations
meets with tue COIumendatiOu nf the ptO-
ple, in whose behalf / extend this wei
come
You come as the messengers % peace
and good will. as the visible embodiment
OF international comfy, as the advocates
OF International commerce, as the beart rs
Of Friendly messages between communities
widely separated yet closely united; and
1 salute yoI as the representatives OF ad-
vanced ana advancing civilization. Be
fore YOU depart for yOnr respective homes
we hope 10 bring you into closer cummuni-
cation with our people. among whom you
will find the Former citizens and subjects
of all tie nations OF the earth andtbeir de
today who may not receive a cordial and
hospitahIc welcome from natives Of his
own country, and some of yoa may find
your own couutrymeG almost as numerous
as you left ct home.
we desire also that sou may bear away
with YOU more complete knowledge Of our
domain, which extends across a continent
three tauuSand miles, embracing almost
bomdless resources, ,-Of infinite fertility,
of varied manufacturing interests, and CON
tanning a prosperous and happy population
ofover seventy millions OF people. We want
TO afford you an objeCtlessDa of the marvel
Gus growth of communities. founded MAIN
ly durin the past century, which support
d postal SyStem comprising more than 20,
600 offices and 2G0.0 900 employees, sup
plying mails for aud diSpatChjug them over
170, ,0a0 miles OF railroad, 10000 miles Of
Steamboat service, aud by other minor
routes OF service, aggregatng in all over
46G 600 miles of post route, and handling,
n the year 500. total of S5,693, 1918
pieces Of mail matter. Thus we place even
She small and Remote communities in direct
communication with one another by means
of postal facilities. BY carrying back TO
your homes the knowledge that al these
millions Of people are anxious 10 establish
the closest social and business relations
with each of the countries you represent
yoa will convey to them some idea Of the
value of the maintenance and perfection Of
the system you have met TO promote.
1T is quite appropriate that this, the
fifth congress OF the International Postal
Union, should he held in the United States,
and at the Capital of our nation, FOR it was
here that the suggestion creating this body
originated.
POSTMASTER general blair, on August
q, 1862, in a communication addressed
Continued on Fifth Page