The San Francisco call., 1898-01-27
Cham Der of Commerce Opposes the Proposed
 Reduction.
The Congressional Delegation PetitiOned to Intercede With
 the Postmaster
Steps Taken to Have San Francisco Properly Represented at the
 Omaha Exposition.

The Chamber Of Commerce has taken prompt action to prevent the threat ened reduction in the force of mail car riers of this city. The board of trus- tees held special meeting yesterday afternoon, at which the report of the First Assistant Postmaster General, showing the necessity for retrenchment In the department, owing to the insuffi- cient appropriation, was discussed at length. This report had been sent to the Chamber of Commerce by Postmas- ter Montague with the request that the representative organizations of the city appeal to the Congressional delegation to exert it's influence with the postal authorities to prevent the crippling of the free delivery system in this city.
 A series of resoluti ms were prepared and adopted, setting forth that the lat est reports issued by the Postoffice De- partment show a steady increase in the business handled, and a corresponding increase in the receipts, indicating an improvement of business conditions throughout the country. They also set forth that the present Congressional appropriation under which the Postal Department is being operated is insuf- ficient. and in consequence the Post master General contemplates certain retrenchments, including the cutting down of the letter carrier force, which, in the judgment of the board of trus- tees of the Chamber of Commerce, would be injurious to the best interests of the people. The resolutions conclude as follows:
 Resolved. That in the opinion of this chamber. no backward step should be taken in the administration of the postal affairs of the country; that the service should not only be held up to its present efficiency, but that it should be progress sive and be kept abreast of the wants of
 Resolved. That our delegation in Con- gTess be urged to favor such liberal ap prOpriationS for the postal service as well prevent deficiencies necessitating undue retrenchment in the present service, and that. to this end, we invite special atten- ton to the estimates and reCommenda- uons as outlined in the report or the Hon. First Assistant Postmaster-Genera for the fiscal year ending June 50, 1897. and ask favorable action thereon.
 The resolutions will be forwarded to the members of the California delega- tion and to the Postmaster-General at once.
 Mayor Phelan attended the meeting at the invitation of the trustees to dis cuss the proposition to have San Fran cisco suitably represented at the trans Mississippi and International EXposi-
 
 continue for six months. Mayor Phe- Ian was anxious that the city ana county should make a creditable show ing, and promised his hearty cO-opera- tiOn. A letter the Mayor had sent to the chamber a few days previously was read. Tn it he stated that the Board of Supervisors would undoubted- ly aid the movement financially to q limited extent which it was empowered to do under the general law. Five thousand dollars was allowed for aG- vertising the city and 5000 of this had been appropriated for the Golden Ju- bilee, but there remained S2000 in the fund which could be drawn on. The rest of the necessary funds would have to be raised by private subscription.
 The trustees appointed a committee of six to confer with the Board of Trade, Mechanics Institute and the four representatives of the Exposition in this city as to the best means of sending on a suitable exhibit.
 communication was read from c. J Dempster. who at the request of the Chamber of Commerce attended the Nicaragua Canal Convention. held in Kansas City on the 17th and 18th inst, giving an outline of the proceedings, and stating that the delegates had ac- cepted an invitation to visit the site of the canal and had started on their trip.