The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-01-20
IN ARMS FOR MAIL TUBES.
MERCHANTS RESENT THE PROPOSED
IMPhIRING OF THE SERVICE.

The Pneumatic Tube System of Transmitting
Mails Declared to BE indispensable, and
Congress Called Upon to See That II
BE Extended Rather Than Restricted,
The Merchants Association has taken alarm
at the threatened abandonment OF the pneu-
matte tube system of transmitting mails now
in use in this city. and yesterday 1t adopted
resolutions requesting Congress not 10 impair
OF abolish what Ia considered one Of the most
effective devices in the postal service. The
Associations action was taken at a meeting oil
the Board Of Directors at which the report was
read OF +. B. De Berard. who had been deputed
to make an Investigation as to the causes oil
delay in the transmission OF mails. In his re-
port Mr.. De Berard said:
1T was found from personal observation in
| the General Post Office. and in several OF the
branch offices. that delay Of delivery within
the city and despatch Of letters for outward
mail was due mainly to two factors:
"First-The accumulation. or congestion, OF
the mails at certain points during transit,
whereby their regular and speedy despatch
by the carrier service was greatly interrupted.
Secondly the operation Of the eight-hour
law. which practically precludes the Onward
ing of mail matter by carriers after a certain
hour in the day: which hour varies according
to the time at which the individual carriers
begin their service.
with wagons as o means OF distribution.
with considerable intervals of time between
the despatch Of the various wagons. the con-
gestion in the movements Of the mails. al,
that the mails thus conveyed must be moved in
bulk; that a considerable interval must elapse
and a considerable time. consumed In the
movement of the wagons from point to point.
from one epeef hour .nte to- several tInfhs hours eiapses be- e-
tween the receipt VI the, mails at the, railroad
station and their arrival at some sub-stations;
one, but it becomes far more serious in its u-
innate effect. due to the eight-hou law.
Carriers are forbidden by law to work more
than eight hours without extra compen sation.
and are forbiddenipy the rules OF the denart-
PROVISION meT ' cGpn made BY law Tor the ay@en Of
sSry work Of the Post Once Department fire.
Quently remains undone for a period OF from
sixteen to twenty hours.
THE pneumatic tube service to a very great
that it permits the practically continuous de-
Snatch Of mail matter. SO that pearly all the
the congestion due 10 handling mali matter in
bulk. as hitherto: Is entirely removed. The
delay due to interchange between the General
eliminated in consequence.
Branch offices served by the pneumatic
tube can now receive their mail almost unin-
terruptedly. permitting the assortment and
distribution over carrier routes to proceed
without break, thereby fully utilizing the
mutation Of undistributed mail matter over
night in the branch stations. The advantage
going mails is enormous. as 1t permits the for
warding OF mail matter from the General Post
Office TO within Ii few minutes Of the actual
leaving time OF trains.
1T is the pna9imoqs testimony OF the oper-
ating officials OF the Post ONCE that the sys.
present limited form and that 1t should be ex-
tended as last as practicable to the fullest de,
Offices throughout the city should be served
by 1t and practically all mail interchanged by
for the speedy delivery OF local letters has
hitherto resulted In a great, Increase, In the
e e2,%% esf G5 dp BY the lse'f Ns@ SR York Fl Pc Post sI 6fiSs. rev.
IT Is scarcely open to doubt that II the
dictated 1t would become the most important
vehicle OF communication between the .vari-
GUS parts Of the city. At present the inter
time and is not to be depended upon with GER
tainty; With the pneumatic tube the time re-
question Of minutes anu Of abs olute certainty:
his systsm;shonid be perfected and extended
speedy and certain despatch of mail matter"
At the conclusion of the reading Of the re.
port the Board OF Directors adopted the fol-
resolutions: :
"Uherp0S. The members OF this association
are suffering delays and losses because OF the
method:of wagon transportation OF
mails In the cities. and its Inherent conse-
uuent defects, which loss Is similarly In
upon the merchants OF other cities
and the 10000 nonresident and country mer-
of this association and
"Ihefeds. The modern method of pneu-
matte mail transmission Is all effective rem
edy for the defects OF wagon system; now.
therefore. be IL
'KpsoIred. That this association approves OF
The existing pneumatic tube service as a great
and muCh-needed improvement upon the pre-
yioUs insufficient wagon service. and earnest
y protests against any cuTtailment thereof;
that Congress Is earnestly requested not to
Impair or abolish the present pneumatic tube
service by Withholding the appropriation
necessary for its maintenance: that the value
If the pneumatic tube service. by reason OF
he superior despatch and certainty in the
transmission OF mails due tot use, Is so i'm
mportant to the business, community that
he system should be extended IA RAPIDLY and
ully as practicable and installed ia the prin-
,ipal cities throughout the country
A resolution was also adopted in favor Of the
'ession by the United States Government TO
he stats OF New York OF a portion of. the cob
lock. which is a part OF the United States
Iavy. yard in Brooklyn. and OF the cession TO
he Federal Government Of a portion of Little
treet. Brooklyn. BY these mutual conces-
ions the State Of New York would be in a po-
ition to remove a portion Of the cob dock
md thus open NJ the approaches to the Wal
about Basin.
InIn n IaOau Insau