The times., 1899-02-08
CUBA'S mail SERVICE
TO Be considered
The Postal Commission to
Meet Here Today.
lis Report Likely 10 Recommend
the American System.
IL Is Relieved Separate PostoGicc
Department VIII BE Estnb-
Iishcd in the Island.

The Cuban Postal Commission did not
hold session yesterday. as had been ex-
pected, on account of the late arrival of
the members from st. Augustine. Fla.
where they have been resting since their
return from Havana. The Commission is
composed OF the following members:
Chairman, a. W. Machen. Superintendent
Free Delivery System; secretary, VI. \. Nc
Donald; ]. VI. Maslin, \. w Bingham, and
NJ. C. Tornes.
They met for short conference how
ever, yesterday afternoon and decided to
hold regular meeting today The Com
mission was sent to Cuba shortly after
the war by Postmaster General Smith, for
the purpose of investigating the mail SER
vice as managed in that island, and TO sus-
gest any changes that seemed advisable.
Quite an elaborate report has been pre-
pared and will in all probability be sub
mitted to the Postmaster General on Fri
day. Each member of the Commission has
prepared an individual report and at to-
days session these will be consolidated
and amended, for incorporation in the gem
eral report.
The members of the Commission decline
TO give out any information regarding
their recommendations, but it is believed
by PostOffice officials that they will sug-
gest that the same mail system be adopted
for Cuba as is in use in this country.
The ratification of the Peace Treaty by
the Senate will cause several changes to
be made in the Commissions report, ans!
these will be discussed at today's session.
In speaking of the matter yesterday
evening an official of the Postofice De-
partment said that he had no idea as to
what the Commission would suggest, but
he believed from what he had heard that
Cuba would be organized into a separate
department. with Chief or Assistant
Postmaster General in Havana: in other
words. that all OF the colonies would be
made separate departments very much
after the plan of the present military sys-
TEN. A number OF the clerks in the Post
office Department in this city are already
looking for assignments in the Cuban SER
vice, as it is believed by them that all
OF the principal positions will be filed by
Americans. One of the Commissioners
stated yesterday that he believed that this
country had the best mail service in the
world. and that he had reached this opin-
lon only after thorough investigation of
the systems employed in other countries
In view of the fact that the organization
OF the Cuban mail service will necessitate
the filling Of many important positions.
the Postmaster General is already beseged
with applicants from all parts of the coun-
try desiring appointments. These include
not only those wishing the most impor-
tant Offices but even minor clerkships and
carriers positions are eagerly sought after
1t is thought, however, that the Postmas-
ter General will. as far as practicable,
have native Cubans appointed for the
minor work connected with the system.
No action will be taken, however. until
| the report of the Commission is submitted
| and receives the approval of the President.