The evening times., 1899-04-04
OFF ON A mission
FOR THE PRESIDENT
Mr.. Heath's Trip to the Island
of Porto Rico.
To Report on the General Condition
of Affairs.
Mail Service to Re Looked IntO-HoH
MIR. Mckinley Secures Informa-
lion About ske Colonies.

A prominent ofncial of the Postofice De-
partment when seen by Times reporter
today stated that the visit of First Assist
ant Postmaster General Perry S. Heath,
who left Washington yesterday for Porto
Rico. would probably cover a period OF
several weeks
Cuba. Porto Rico. and the Philippines
already have regular organized mail
service, which has been in operation for
several months. The system adopted for
the islands is similar 10 that employed in
the United States, and is in charge of the
following officials known as directors OF
posts: Cuba. Estes G. Rathbone, of Ohio;
Porto Rico, w H. Elliott, and the Phil
ippines. A. B. VailIe.
Only short time ago Postmaster Cen
eral Charles Emory Smith, accompanied
by Fourth Assistant Postmaster General
j. L. Bristow, made visit 10 Cuba and
inspected the mail service in that island.
Those in charge OF the different depart
ments have been instructed as far as is
practicable TO appoint natives TO all sub
ordinate positions. Since this has been
done said the otncial, many complaints
of corruption have reached the department
in this city. and that was one Of the rea-
sons which prompted the President 10
send the Postmaster General on his mis-
sion 10 Cuba. On investigation a major
ity of the reports charging corruption
were found TO be groundless. Many irreg-
ularities have occurred, however. but these
have in most cases arisen from ignorance
OF the newly appointed natives.
Some member OF the Cabinet Will short
Iy be sent 10 the Philippines continued
the official. Ito make an examination into
the mail service as employed IN this ISL
ands.'
When questioned as to what was the
cause Of First Assistant Postmaster Cen
eral Heath's extended visit TO Porto Rico,
The official said that his duties did not
alone comprise an Investigation Of the eX-
isting postal service. but that he had fur
ther been instructed by the President 10
make full report as 10 the general con-
dition of the island.
Although the public has never been
informed of the fact" said the official.
much of the Presidents information re-
gardinS Cuba was obtained from the Post
master General on his return from that
island. Frequently he has been sent for
by the President and on each occasion the
conversation has related entirely TO gener-
nj affairs in Cuba. Seldom was the mail
service referred to, but the President
seemed very desiroGs OF learning as much
a. possible about all interests of the ISL
and. IL is understood" added the official
that the President intends sending some
member OF his Cabinet TO the Philippines
in very short time and in all proba-
bnity it will be the Postmaster General
In this manner the President keeps him
self thoroughly informed regarding The
new possessions
The reason assigned for all of The "trip:
being made by Postoffioe officials is tha
they can be more readily spared than anS
other members Of the various depart rinents
The Postoffce Department is now in cor
respondence with several owners of steam
ships who contemplate running a regular
line of boats from San Francisco TO Ma
Mia. As soon as a regular service is IS
Isblished a contract VIII be let and A
schedule mail route established. At the
present time transports have 10 be used
for This service and occasion much delay
in ;he sending and receiving of mails.