New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-06-14
OFFICE FOR FOREIGN MAIL.
POSTMASTER VAN Colts SCHEME FOR
QUICKER DELIVERY OF LET
TIERS FROM ABROAD.

Postmaster Van Colt has been worrying for
long time the delays which take place in
the delivery OF foreign mails received here. and
he has plan which he thinks will solve
the problem. In brief, the plan is to rent
building in west-st, near the piers Of the great
steamship lines, and use ii exclusively for the
handling Of foreign mails. Mr.. Van Colt has
laia the Plan before the Postmaster-General. and
has received considerable encouragement. A
commission from Washington is expected next
week TO look over the situation and report upon
the advisability of the scheme.
IF my request IS granted" said Mr.. Van Colt
yesterday, the Postofice will receive two great
benefits. First the foreign mails will be ham
died with greater dispatch. and, second, the con-
Gestion OF our present quarters in the Postoffice
Building viii be relieved by the removal of the
entire foreign mails force to the rented building.
We have felt the need Of an arrangement Of this
kind for a long time and if il goes through 1
am sure it viii be justified by the results. II il
IS not. I am ready 10 accept the responsibility
for the failure"
Mr.. Van Colt said that he could not say where
the branch would be, for business reasons,
but he declared that he had picked out his build
ing The site will probably be in the neighbor-
hood OF The piers of the Cunard White Star and
French lines. which heavy mail carriers.
There number of smaller lines also
these piers. If the branch is established near
Christopher-st IL Will be within easy reach by
ferry of the North German Lloyd. Hamburg
American and Holland-America lines, which
go TO piers in Hoboken. The idea is by
OF this proximity II gather the foreign mails
from incoming steamers they are
landed. Then the mails Will be sorted and let
tiers bound for the West will be sent direct from
the new branch. The Delaware, Lackawanna
and Western and Pennsylvania railroads have
ferries adjacent TO the site Of the proposed
branch, so that mails going by these routes will
be got away with unusual dispatch. Foreign
mails for tins city will be sent to the General
Postofice, and from there TO the branches
throughout the city in the ordinary way. The
saving Of time will not be great here III
the Of foreign mails for inland points, but it
IS thought that even here the time saved will be
considerable.
Mr.. Van Colt could not give an average of the
amount Of time which would be saved by the
proposed arrangement in the delivery of each
letter, because the whole question depends he
says upon the time Of arrival Of the steamer.
On Saturdays he said. when a number of
mail steamers come in once, often
able TO deliver letters coming them TO bust
the business houses close early Saturday.
on Monday the business man kicks, but you see
his place of business that prevents a delivery
Saturday. OF course if a man gets his mail in
a box at the Postoffice he get his foreign
mail on Saturday without any trouble. BY the
new arrangement however. I expect that a
much larger proportion Of the foreign mail re-
celved here on Saturday will be delivered on the
same day