The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-03-31

| A decided improvement Is TO be made
| in the present mail service or sea'tie ana
also in the handling Of all ALASKA mai.
| Perry S. Heath. first assistant postmaster
| general. arrived in Seattle at u.O O'Clock
Tuesday night from Portland and the pur-
pose of his visit TO the Queen City Is 10
bring about these improvements. The iirst
assistant postmaster general has the man.
agement OF all pos.offices in the United
States and Is clothed with authority to
make any recommendations which ne may
deem advisable.
Mr.. Heath was in consultation with Post
master Meem yesterday morning. with
the result that he authorized the estab-
Iishment OF two sub-stations. He left at
ii O'Clock TO. Tacoma, but expects to re-
turn in short time to investigate other
matters in connection with the Office and
possibly make other recommendations,
which are touched upon in tie interview
which follows.
Mr.. Heath was interviewed shortly after
his arrival in the city at the Hote, Butler
by Post-Inselligencer reporter and said
that complaints regarding the poor mai.
service in Seattle have been pouring into
his office for several months. and that
Senator Wilson has called at the postoffiee
department several times q week for the
purpose of urging the department 10 take
immediate action. The poor service. eais.
Mr.. Heath. is not caused by any inefficien-
cy on the part Of Postmaster Meem buuis
due to an insufficient number of clerks ~
inadequate accommodation 1t has been
represented to the department that patrona
OF the postoffice have been obliged TO stand
In a line. that reaches far into the street,
in order to get their mail. and that much
annoyance has been caused by 4 single
person asking letters for dozen or more
persons. This state of affairs Mr.. Heath
says. Is undoubtedly due to the rostoffice
not being large enough and il Is his inten-
tion to look the ground over carefully and
authorize Postmaster Meam to either en-
large the present building or else move the
office into a more spacious structure. A
new office will not be recommended. how
ever. II 1t Is found that the present build
ing can be enlarged sufficiently to handle
the mail without causing any complaint.
1t is also the intention OF this Official. Ii
he finds 1t necessary, TO authorize Post
master Meem to increase his present force
of clerks. II this Is done more general de-
livery windows will De opened and the adj
vantage that would result from such an
Improvement can be readily seen.
The first assistant postmaster general
stated that there Is no limit TO any allow
ance that he may see lit to specify for
these improvements but in all such cases
due economy is exercised, and the service
Is brought up to higher standard at the
lowest expense possible.
Another complaint 10 which is attached
much Importance Is the slow manner in
which mail is received from and sent 10
Alaska In the complaint it is stated that
t. I'll fnv cd
that the delay has brought about serious
&C nplica tiorls The Seattle postmaster Is
not responsible for this delay owing TO
the fact that his force of clerks Is entirely
too small. and that 1t IL impossible 10 iaaa-
Gle the mail in n proper manner
First Assistant Postmaster General
Heath also said that he intended to take
some action relative to making contracts
for carving mail between Alaska and Sc
attle, but did not desire TO say anything
regarding the details for publication.
In speaking about the probable outcome
OF the controversy between the United
States and Spain. Mr.. Heath said that
President Mckinley has developed wonder
full diplomatic ability. has not been criti-
cised adversely on any side. is backed By
congress- has the sympathy or everybody
and II necessary will accomplish indie
pendence for Cuba without war. While
the situation IL decidedly grave. he does not
believe that war will DC declared.
In speaking OF the interest manifested IN
the Kiondike In the East. the distinguished
posioffice Official said that the papers are
fun of news about Alaska and that the
people OF Seattle cannot realize how much
talk Is INDUCED In about the gold fields
Touching upon the business situation In
the East. MIR. Heath said that the prosper
itv under the new administration has ex-
ceetied the widest expectations of the
closest friends or Mckinley.
Postmaster Meem was interviewed by a
Post Intelligencer reporter yesterday re-
garding the inspection and the improve
ment OF the service authorized by the
FIRST assistant postmaster general The
postmaster said: 1.-THE visit made TO the
postoffice by Mr.. Heath was very hur-
red one lie did not remain I'm tbs Office
over twenty minutes and before he left
he authorized the immediate establish
ment OF two sub-sfations, and / shall be-
gin TO look around for suitable locations.
A. these stations money order and reg
.stered letter business will be transacted
and stamps sold. / was also told by NJ.
Heath 10 recommend TO the postoffice de-
partmenf the establishment of sub-sta-
ton where every Inc OF business per-