New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-12-11
POSTAL SERVICE IN PORTO RICO.
REPORT AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE
INNESTIGATINCi COMMISSION

Washington. Dec. 10.-The Commission appointed
10 investigate the postal service IN Porto Rico
has made It's report 20 Postmaster General Smith.
The mail and telegraph services are operated under
the same officials. the two services having been
consolidated in 1895 to reduce expenses. Vacancies
and the high-saaried places were filed by pro-
motions based experience and efficiency. In
all. there were ninetyore postC tces in operation
under the Spanish Government before the occupa-
ton OF the island by the American forces. The
salaries OF postmasters ranged from SIS TO 1850
year. the latter amount being paid TO the post
masters at San Juan. Ponce and Mayaguez. Al
the larger offices clerks were employed at from
$50 10 800 annual salaries.
The report gives detailed statement. showing
total postal receipts OF $1,000 OF which $500 was
from the island &lN from Cuba. OIL from
Spain and N4Ols from international sources. The
total expenditures were: Salaries OF postmaste:s
who perform both Geographic and postal dutes)
SO 80. OF clerks 1890. and rent. E.SSs Mall
under the Spanish system was divided into eight
classes. including ordinary letters. packages not
four Kilograms in weight and insured articles
There nothing corresponding to the free-do-
livery service. but in the principal offices mes
sengers Were employed TO deliver kilograms and
letters a special charge being made FOR delivery or
the latter The total revenues OF both Geographic
and postal services for last year were slG.0sa and
the expenses s2Se62o. leaving dehcit or
ss9637.
va
a chief postal supervisor with a suitable number
OF assistants inspectors and clerks The super
visor is TO have 81 500 year and allowances his
functions TO correspond TO those Of Assistant
Postmaster General here. The Commission also
recommends the establishment OF postof1ces at
points located under the Spanish regime and
that the same rule governing here should govern
there in establishing Offices.
At the larger offices. like San Juan, Ponce, Maya
guez. Aguidalla. Arecibo. Guyana and Humacao
Americans are 10 act postmasters with native
clerks Postmasters in the smaller Offices are 10 he
natives The rules governing pay and APP
pointments Of postmasters here are to be adopted
except that bonds Of postmasters are to be In
duplicate The Commission recommends payment
TO ma!l-carriers and authority 10 the postmasters
service the different routes on proper certNi-
Gates these postmasters also 10 have deposited with
them the surplus revenues Of each once IN the ISL
and. The continuance Of the telegraph service IN
connection with the postal service Is SAID to be oe-
sirabe.
Other recommendations follow: The adoption OF
the United States registry system establishment
and extension Of the mOney-Order system on the
island In place Of the crude Spanish system, free
law special delivery service domestic rate OF posi-
age. two cents per ounce Tor hrsb-cIas MAJ. I'd
continuance OF that rate between az pon's ~ oe
island. The report also says that the rates OF eA.
the island from 81 10 70 81 10 The rates naxe pen
steadily declining owing. II is sac 10 the deihal
for Porto Rican money with which TO gatner el :
move the crops and TO the 1act thhi tht oPaIi' -
Covernment has declared the Porto Rican peso 70
be ut par with the Spanish peso Inc question ol
the relative value Of the American ana ioiio 49,
money deserves immediate settle cement IN l's pre-
ert asnec, 4 affects most njuriously the nteres :
OF the American soldiers and civilians IN me n ~,
porto Ricen banks and merchants think Mt 10 oner
for the American money which they nave