Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1898-12-02
OUR MAIL SERVICE.
Postmaster-Genernl Smiths Report
Made Public.

Washington, Nov 2s.-The most interest,"
ing review Of the postal service for some
years. owing to Its operations in military
and naval fields. Is the report of Postmas-
ter g en- eral Charles Emory Smith. Aside
from the discussion Of the regular branches
of the department, 1t tells Of the work ao-
oomplished and policies adopted in our ter
ritorial acquisitions. The postmaster-sen-
eral says:
1.-THE war entailed the necessity Of mill
tary postal service. and prompt measures
were required for handling the mails Of en-
army Of a quarter Of q million men. Large
post Offices were suddenly created ST the
camps Of concentration, the exigencies Of
constant changes and movements were
met and the military and naval forces on
active service In the West Indies and Phil
ippines had prompt and constant postal
communication with home. These military
post ofaces were clothed with all postal
bowers. Some Of the larger camps In
that OF cities Of high rank. Quick and In
telligept management was demanded and
trained clerks detailed from available
points. Railway mall cars were stationed
at convenient points on side tracks as post
offices. To provide bonded officials and
postal supplies these offices were consti-
tuted branches of some city office. At some
camps a temporary rural free delivery serv-
Toe was operated. A special appropriation
Of $4,000 by congress for military postal
|
paiers on remote soil already has been ex-
hausted."
Followed Our Arms and Our Flag.
Continuing, the report says: When our
troops advanced into Cuba the postal sery-
ice also advanced with them. When SANTA
go surrendered United States Postal Agent
Eben Brewer took posS ession OF the post
ONCE of that city, which was made the mill
tary post office. He removed the Spanish
director and ten Of its large force OF clerks,
retaining some as interpreters. and gave
the office far better footing with much
smaller force. Now there are four deliv-
cries in the business portion Of Santiago
been established with Havana and inter-
mediate seaports and with Jamaica and
other West Indian Islands. Service also
has been extended into Santiago province.
1.-THE postal service accompanied our
arms and our flag to Porto Rico. From
Ponce 1t was extended as rapidly as differ
| ent places passed into our possession, until
cow there are II military postal stations
there, having postal connections with many
smaller places. They are under the dlreo-
ton of superintendent detailed from the
| railway mall service, who acts In conjuno-
ton with the military commander. with a
force of six railway mail clerks three postal
| agents and thirty-two clerks. including four
| Spanish translators. In the Philippines
| two military postal stations have been es-
tablished, at Manila and Cavite, supervised
| by veteran division superintendent de-
tailed from San Francisco and conducted
| by a force OF railway mail and post office
| clerks and agents. assisted by details from
| the army of occupation.
1.-THE acquisition of Hawaii has not thus
far been followed by any change In ous
postal relations with that country. The
absorption of Its postal system into our
own and the exercise of our control, like
] the incorporation Of other features of it,
4 local administration, have awaited the =
| port Of the congressional committee and
the legislation which win follow. Thara