The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1897-05-03
POSTAL CONGRESS.
WILL MEET IN WASHINGTON ON
WEDNESDAY,.
First Time That the Delegates Have
Ever Decided to Assemble in
America-It Will Be Memoir
able Event.

tons of the world will pass in review be-
] fore 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 comprising and controlling. so far
as the mails are concerned, every organ
lied government save three-China, Corea
| and the Orange Free State--has had its
delegates assemble in America, and the
elaboration of Its fifth sextennial con-
| vention Will be marked by perhaps more
pronounced Formally than has attended
any convention of either national or in
ternational scope that has gathered in
| this country for a long period.
Sixty odd countries and provinces |'.ll
each country having but a single -ote.
| 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 conveniences and postoffice VIII
be in operation on the spot until the
meeting closes The delegates who will
form the congress are men of the highest
rank in postal service. The postmaster
generals of the several nations are among
them, while leading diplomats have been
sent by some of the countries.
portion of the delegates are already
here. Those who remain in New 4o-E
tomorrow VIII be brought over in sne-
cial train Of four cars rendered by the
Pennsylvania railroad. Second Postmas-
ter-General Schallenberger and Suoerin-
tendent of Foreign Mails Brooks are now
party to this city. The train will leave
Jersey City soon after / O'Clock. At pre-
vious gatherings the congress has been
extended unusual courtesies by the ma
lions whose guests they were. and 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 2rece-
dent, that the delegates will be eater
tanned by both the president and tie
postmaster-g general and the district COM
missioners viii in case an appropriation
they desire is granted give an official re-
eeption and a water trip to old Point
Comfort and Richmond.
The delegates before the close of the
congress, also, Will be taken on a journey
in the west. returning by way of New
York. The gathering will be in Washing
ton from = month to six weeks, but the
congress itself VIII meet not more than
a half dozen times. Che real work sn.'e
that of ratification of proceedings when
the committees reported which Selongs
to the full congress; devolveS upon the
four committees at least one OF whtc,
will be in session practically every day
except Saturday and Sunday. One com
mittee will have charge of the general
treaty, which IS adopted at every con
gress. and also will settle accounts be-
tween individual cou.str;es
With the latter this country has moth
ing to do. A second committee will take
I'D ARRANGEMENTS Tor exchange OF letters
of declared value, the parcels-post system
and the postal books of identity used by
some countries.
A third viii consider money orders,
tions through postoffices TO newspapers
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 salutatory in Eng
l:sh. while the assemblage rea Is the
French translation
This will occupy u little over five min
utes. being formal welcome. Then the
senior delegate, not now selected, will re-
spond in few words. The election of a
presiding officer viii follow.
General George ). Bachelor, ex-miniSter
to Portugal and chairman of the United
States delegation, probably will be the
honored one The business. OF the CON
gress will begin at once, all proceedings
being conducted in French and behind
barred doors.
Many measures will be brought for
word for consideration. The new treaty
or general convention and several minor
ones. signed by only two or three of the
countries will be discussed and adopted
in substitution of old ones in order TO
cover new conditions. Perhaps the most
important proposition will involve what
is known as the intermediate transit sys-
tenn This provides for compensation by
the sending countries 10 all countries
over whose domains it's mails are trans
Dorted An agreement to carry the mails
of all the countries in the Union mutu-
ally free will be sought but probably
voted down. Such countries as Belgium,
when sends out little mail, but over
whose lands much foreign mail is trans
ported at big profit to the kingdom,
will object to cutting off this revenue.
This practically defeats the scheme, as
one welI-founded Slsseat kills propo-
sition.
'fhis country and few others, how
ever. have declared in favor OF the free
transportation.
The ultimate action. it is said, probably
r-fll be the acceptance OF the average
weights. statistics of the last six years,
counts up to the2 aSSemblage or the next
congress-: that is. up to 1903, when the
issuc will be revived. \
The much agitated proposition 10 ADOPT
a Universal postage stamp, not good 1ori
domestic postage, but for convenient COM
munication between countries and the
universal return stamped envelope propo- /
sition having similar scope, also Will
be brought up, but the probabilities Of
ADOPTION are said TO be against both,
with the latter having the best chance oi
the two There will De no upset or post
ace rates but an increase of the allow
able weight for letters Is probable mus
making an ounce or three-quarters of an
ounce the unir instead OF lke preSe Mt half
ounce, for Which the charge IS now .
cots ffne three countries still outside, I
China Korea and The orange Free State, /
are expected 10 be admitted before the
congress IS closed, though She last named
has not YET been heard from on this sub
ject. <