The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1898-01-07
PROTESTS FROM BIG CITIES.
po-toff.ce Departments Plan to Re-


Postoffice Departments Plan to Re-
duce Deliveries Raises Opposition.
The intention Of the Postofiice De-
partment to curtail the number OF
daily deliveries of mail in the larger
cities, as stated in The Times yester-
day afternoon. already has brought
forth a large numbefsof protests.
Representative Qufxg. of New York
city, called at the department and set
forth the dissatisfaction which the new
order would give in New York, II put
into operation. 1t is probable that
some united action will be taken by
the delegation from the metropolis,
order. The department officials say
that the order win be put into effect
unless ample provision. is, made by
Congress to continue~the present prac-
tice and at the same time give cities
in the West equally adequate service.
Postmaster Van Colt. of New York
city, when seen last night in that city
I'm relation to the matter, said:
Il have received as yet no official no
tice of such intention on the part OF
the Washington authorities, and my
only knowledge of the matter Is gained
from the papers. / cannot believe that
there will be any reduction in the num-
Der of business deliveries in this city,
although it may be true that the au-
thorities intend a general regulation
for all cities, limiting the number OF
deliveries in their residence sections.
Such a rule would be extremely diff
Cut 10 apply IN New York, as the pus-
mess interests, stores, offices and
banks are scattered thickly all through
the city, and our business section can
not be said to be confined to any par
ticular quarter"
"As to a reduction in tho number of
deliveries downtown, 1 am surprised
at the report, and cannot believe that
the authorities are contemplating such
step in face of the magnificent in
crease in the earnings of this office
for the last year, and the report of the
committee which came from WASH
ington some months ago TO investigate
the service here ami to recommend
plans for its extension. Our office dur
ing 1897 earned more than S., l25, 900,
and, after deducting expenses, had net
earnings of nearly $4,000. 600. The in
crease i'm the sale or stamps was over
$3.50 000
LAS the committees report shows,
nearly 90 per cent Of The receipts are
from mail originating within the city
limits for local delivery, and ] am con-
WINGED that a larSe part of these re-
ceipts is directly attributable TO the
wide use the business community
makes of the mails on account of the
quickness and efficiency OF the deliv-
cry. which, with the aid of the new
/ MS, 10 m moran e.
greatly. AS past experience goes to
show, there should be immediate re-
suits. for when / reduced the time OF
the Harlem delivery from one hour tc
| one-half hour the sale of special de-
livery stamps doubled.
Il am sure that the saving that would
| result from reducing the number OF
our deliveries would be far more than
Offset by the decreased receipts of the
offices and that the business interests
would use the telephone. telegraph and
messenger service where they now use
the mails.
The deficit of the Postoff1ce Depart
| ment for the current year, il is esti-
| mated. will amount TO nearly $4,000
600. and every effort is being made tC
curtail expense, but il certainly seem:
unfair that New York, which pays In
s., 600 coo toward meeting the deficit
caused by other Offices, should be made
To suffer through no fault of her own
we should have an increase, not 6
decrease. in the number of our deliv-
cries. If the authorities have deter
mined to take the action reported
should receive official notification t.
that effect within the next few days.
The report of the committee whicl
investigated the New York service sew
eral months ago said:
I'VE are compelled to admire an
approve of the wonderful CELEBRITY an
certainty with which interchange o
mails is made between the citizens
The large percentage of letters tina
originate in this city for city deliver,
proportionately exceeds that of an
other city, and is further evidence o
the efficiency and accuracy of the ser
vice. 1t has been found in many In
stances. where count and observ alto
have been made. that as high as 60 pc
cent of the letters collected at a give
station or stations was for local de
livery. 1t is estimated that the aver
age of mail originating in this city 70
local delivery is about 81 per cent
This, you will readily see, can only b
accomplished where the local service
well nigh perfection. If il be argue
that the cost of the service in NeN
York City is great, your committee be
lieves that, since this service produce
the largest possible revenue. with tn
least cost, in comparison with mail
| that must be transported long dis
tances over the railways, the wisdor
| of the Department in making very gen
| erous allowances in the matter of sta
tons, messenger service, street-rail
way service. and now. in the near fu
ture. the pneumatic tube. is fully jus
| titled: and we believe that the wisdo.
of its action will be more clearly de
fined when the pneumatic tube is i
/ f,,il nnarofions