New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-01-09
Mr.. TAN COTT on THE MAIL DELAY.
RECENTLY EXPERIENCED HAVE EX-
listed SINCE THE GREAT BLIz-
GARD. HE SAYS.

listed SINCE THE GREAT BLIZ-
GARD. HE SAYS
Postmaster Van Cote said yesterday in relation
10 the reported delay IN the delivery Of newspaper
mall In this city 1T must he borne in mind that
Christmas and New Years days fell on a Saturday
and. these days were holidays there were only
two deliveries on each. and the day following he
ne SUNDAY here delivery at all Satur.
day Is always an extra heavy day. because OF the
arrival Of many European steamers Consequently
when Monday arrived the mail had been steadily
accommodating since the previous Friday the only
relief afforded being the two deliveries % satur-
day There over thirty hours in this time
without any delivery AT all Four-hfihs Of all the
mail that arrives in the city passes through this.
ne main Office and is here sorted and sent 70 the
suh-sfations We collect and deliver local mail in
The section OF the city lying between Wall-st on
he south and Canal-st on the north which IS ny
all odds the greatest in the city In point or amount
and Importance
AT no previous period in It's history save the
three four days following the resumption Of
ira III after the blizzard in March. 1855 has so
much mail matter passed through this Office. and
the force consequently found themselves facing an
enormous accumulation on Monday morning We
cannot employ outside aid have appro-
Tr!auon 10 draw from, and. no matter how great
the need of such assistance compelled to
depend solely and alone upon the existing force
The carriers. by law. be worked only eight
them overtime however great may be The need.
As conseq renee congestion did ensue. The let
ters were. Of course attended first and their de-
livery was made in time but 50 great had been
their accumulation that We had 70 strain every
nerve 10 accomplish this ard the time usually
given to the newspapers was used .or the letters
Al no time did the delay exceed thirty-six hours.
and then only on Sunday and Monday.
We nave only half force here on Sundays, and
they were unable 20 keep abreast OF The tre-
mendous influx Of letters AID papers that kept
pouring in. Newspaper mails nave been handled in
the order OF their receipt and the congestion has
been overcome only this afternoon ana normal con-
ditiOns restored. We have had work tie indoor
force TWO nours overtime daily. and y falls very
heavily on the poor fellows. as can make them
no compensation. there being no appropriation for
me TO draw from. Tho carriers report that they
have never before received SO much matter their
collections which have been exceptionally heavy
throughout The entire week. All statistics snow
enormous increase in our business but We nave
no corresponding increase in for or facilities 10
handle L.. and ~ are a.so greatly Handicapped ny
lack OF space. Although l an hoping mat the
prospective addition viii help in this direc-
zion even under ordinary conditions We have in,
sGfh 'ient room 10 nandle the ma!i PToPril!' anu
ges,ion that ensues IS appalling.
The accumulated newspapers on MONDAY .!asl
ab8i 3, feet by 80 feer with ceilings almost - feet
birb The newspapers were banked soid.y against
H.. waf rlear Up the ceiling. am HAPPY 10
saw la is over now and / trust thai som"
provision will oe made by Congress 10 proVlde
AKA INST such contingencies when they arise IN me
future H. this connection ! wish 10 say. ana !
cam o., ~ TOO empnaucaly quoted, mat ne appro-
prlat!Ons made by Congress 20 run tho posta4 ser
Vic. are wholly Insufficient The authorities a
Washington are helpless. and Il is 20 Oonsres:
hat We must look for relief A lump sum Is slNeT
20 thc Department. and 4t Is parceAed out 10 tne
various oi -es IN the manner which will insure me
hes returns Bu; the amount given 70 them
IS insufficient and Il New-York could pre-
Vail upon roneress to make greater ap2ropra,
ion l. would he Of inestimao BE oeneht We neec
a he money can get. and cannot too strong
il urge upon ne New-lork public TO try 10 IN
fiuence Congress 20 give US more money inan We
are now receiving ! believe il would De a WIS
measure and that increased receipts would more
than Offset increased expenditure
With regard 10 the report from Washlng on ma
NJ castle the auditor. had discovered irreel
arlties in the money order accounts IS toIa "
Tie Tribune yesterday Mr. Elliott. me CHEZ o, M
money order division. SAID. 'Sucn iraLds as u y
asserted have been discovered could not occur II
ne greater oHices Ike Newly ork. where an eapo
rae checking system. which was started here y
Postmas.er Jamess regime, Is in vogue. NJ =
lio-r ryplai-el fhe system, adding. ) gu can TeaD
iv ses thai wiki such an elaborate system o.
rbeckinz fraud would be Impossible. THIS SISTER
prevails II all The large cities. Whle nave neNel
before heard % The discovery OF fraud n noneY
orders think IL might be possible IN small ofnces
Where o-s person only ,ransacis al the business
s-re1da-t 70 ne issuance 4 an order and receives
the money % pay for II as wei