The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-10-18

It VIII Form nm Interesting Chapter in Gen
Heath's Forthcoming Rsport.


WASHINGTON: Oct 1.-THE hlstory-of the
postal service in connection with the war with
Spain will make an interesting chapter in the
forthcoming report OF First Assistant Post
master-General Heath. This oficihl includes
In his first report many entertaining matters
hitherto buried in the files tof. the department
and has dressed them mp with the skill Of the
newspaper writer. Transforming q usually pro-
sale document into o readable story. The
stories sent to Washington by the inspectors
In charge In Cuba and Porto Rico read In
many cases like fiction. The work OF the on
GERS stationed at Southern points In Florida
during the height OF the war are also full of
sensational Incidents that will be related in
the report, No mail has yet been received
from the inspector In charge at Manila, but he
has been cabled to forward IL at once. and Mr..
Heath expects It TO arrive In time TO be In
oorporated In his report.
The brunt OF the work In Cuba. following
the death OF Agent Brewer. fell upon Mr..
Louis Kempner OF the New York ONCE. who
has Just returned from the scene Of his ardu-
GUS but extremely successful lnbors. There
is a surprise In store for Mr.. Kempner at the
department here when he reports upon his
arrival. 1t Is IN the shape ofa testimonial.
the western end Of the island. and all the lead
Ing men and Spanish citizens. To this docu-
ment Is attached some OF the names Of the
came to. the Post 6Gice Department unknown
to Mr.. Kempner and unsolicited by any one
connected with the postal service. II this
testimonial the signers say:
The postal service at Santiago Is thorough
y organized. and to the untiring and pains
taking efforts of Mr.. Kempner We believe the
credit ls due for the results attained. During
the period preceding and since the %'surren-
der OF Santiago Mr.. Kempner has given his
energies night and day to give TO the army and
soLne pupilc az large an efficient and creditable
This is signed by all the officers. including
Malor-Gen, i. W. Lawton, Brig. Gen. Leonard
Wood and Lieut.-Col. A. A. Wiley, assistant to
the acting Civil Governor.
Of Mr.. Heath's. and which is gradually being
developed into an important branch OF the
postaliseryice, will be treated very fully in this
report. An, experiment in this direction
more extensive than anything heretofore sug-
while 1t may be referred to in the forthcoming
report. the results to- be attained will not be
secured In time to submit to Congress at this
session. This experiment ~contemplates the
abolishment OF fourth-class offices IN the en-
rural free delivery. The county selected for
the experiment is Santa Clara. Cal. the home
OF Congressman Loud. Chairman of the House
Committee on Post Offices and Post Roads.
delivery are found In this county. and In addi-
ton; which In this case is quite essential. the
work will be conducted under the eye OF Chair
mar Loud. Superintendent OF the Free De-
livery Service ,Machen will leaye for Califor-
mia Immediately after the election and estab-
lish this service under his personal supervis-
ion. From this experiment. Mr.. Heath ex-
poets great results, for he believes Il will be
the stepping. stone TO the establishment of q
thorough and permanent rural free delivery.