Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1898-12-11
PORTO RIc0's POSTAL SERVICE.
Interesting Report by the Commits
sion Sent to Make an Investi-
cation

WASHINGTON, Dec. 10.-The commission
appointed to investigate the postal service
in Porto Rico has made its report to Post
master General Emory Smith. The mail
and telegraph services are operated under
the same officials. the two services having
been consolidated in 1856 to reduce ex-
penses. Vacancies among the higher sal
aried places were filled by promotions
based on experience and efficiency. In all.
there were niuety-one postoffices in opera
ton under the Spanish government prior
to the occupation of the island by the
American forces. The salaries of post
masters ranged from SIS to H,759 per an
mum, which latter amount was paid to the
postmasters at San Juan, Ponce and Maya
guez. At the larger offices, clerks were
employed at from $50 to 1850 annual sal
aries. The report gives detailed state
ment showing total postal receipts OF $780,
900, of which s56,061 was from the island,
$i,151 from Cuba, and s2o,Tl from Spain,
and sl4,0ls from international sources. The
total expenditures were: Salaries of post
masters Cwho perform both telegraphc
and postal duties), s463sO; of clerks. sS1 $50;
and rent, $7,S59. Mail matter under the
Spanish system was divided into eight
classes, including ordinary letters, pack
ages not over four Kilograms IN WeiSht
and insured articles.
There was nothing corresponding to the
free delivery service, but in the principal
offices messengers were employed to de-
liver kilograms and letters. a special charge
being made for the delivery of the latter.
The tctal revenues of both telegraphic and
postal services for the last year were Sl9a
0S5, and the expenses, $2s6,6 leaving de-
iicit of $3.50.
The commission recommends the appoint
ment of chief supervisor with suitable
number of assistants, inspectors and clerks.
The supervisor is to have s.. $50 per annum
and allowances, his functions to correspond
to an assistant postmaster general here.
mcnt of postofiices at points located under
the Spanish regime. and that the same
rules governing here should govern there
in establishing proposed new offices. At
MayagueZ. Aguadillo. Arecibo. Guayama
and Humacao. Americans are to act as
postmasters, with native clerks. Post
masters in the smaller offices are to be
natives.
Other recommendations: The adoption of
the United States registry syster; establish
ment and extension of the money order
system on the island in the place of the
crude Spanish system; free delivery service
wherever allowable under existing law:
special delivery service: domestic rates Of
postage, 2 cents per ounce for first class
matter: between the United States and
Porto Rico and continuance of that rate
between all points in the island.
f. G.. Rathbone. of Ohio. eX-aSsiStant
postmaster general was to-day appointed
to take charge of the postal service in
Cuba. He will leave for Havana in a few
days. A commission of four experts. rep
sstant postmasters general. will leave for
Tampa at once and sail for Havana proba
bly, Wednesday. A number of postal en-
ployes will also be dispatched probably on
ent A. W. Machen, of the free delivery sys-
TEN, will be one of the commissioners.