The evening times., 1900-03-15
THE PHILIPPINE MAILS
Primitive Manner In Which All
Letters Are Distributed.
Runners Carry the Pouches From
One Town to Another-Thc Presi-
dente Local Acts as Postmaster
and Obtains Aid From the Police.
Money order Offices Badly Needed.

A number of interesting facts regaI ding
the difficulties of mail seryi-e in the Phil
| ippines are given in the latest report of
Superintendent Eppstein, who has charge
OF the mails at Vigan, port in Luzon.
The report shows that the old Span sh
system of mail delivery b. rative runners
is still in force, and the on.y means of
| Transporting letters to the various in and
towns. In these small communities regu-
| larly appointed postmasters have not as
yet been installed, and the mayer or presi-
dente local acts as postmaster. having his
| letters delivered by the most convenient
means he can find from time to time ch
mayor depends upon his police 10 a sreat
extent for the delivery of mails, and mis-
Office or residence is known as the post
Office
with the establishment of American
postoffices in isolated parts of the islinds,
however. the service will be greatly nod
eTnized and quicker and more accurate de-
livery methods will be adopted.
Postmaster Eppztein was sent TO Vigan
late last year and established his Office in
a small room formerly used "a = Spanish
telegraph office. Mr. Eppstein says:
Il have Cne room, about 5oX3y. with a
partition forming entrance and lobby. In
this place i found two pi ces Of post flee
furniture which l am Using 10 good Ed-
vantage.
The first batch Of native mail | deliv-
cred with the assistance of the presidente
local who has charge of the police. | ar
ranged with him to have ali local mail dc
liyered by his police without cost to this
department, and the arrangement is work
ing very well.
Native mail is also despatched by native
police. 1t is made up in bundles sealed
and addressed to the presidente local Of
the town to which it is directed. This mail
is then delivered by him
The bundles are divided into routes,
those going northerly are carried to the
FIRST or nearest place on the route by 10
cal runner. These are all given to the
mayor who holds out the package for his
place and SEEDS the remainder on to the
next station by one OF his runners, and so
on, until the last town is reached, no mat
ter how far distant it may be.
Il have not yet seen fit to chance any
army mail in this way. So far l have Ea4
plenty of opportunity for sending such mail
by American soldiers or by ship couven-
iently bound. ! will soon turn my atten-
ton, continues Mr.. Eppstein. TO San Fer
nando and Lao2g and supply them each
with a branch Office.
Money orders are badly needed at this
place. After being paid. soldiers are anx-
ious TO send money home and the >mer-
chants have also applied for orders ] also
require a lamp. one mucilage bottle and
brush and cne ink well. A pair of scales
is also needed.
Postmaster Eppstein says that there is 4
great demand for pennies and writes for
an additional supply. IRe natives have
taken a great fancy to the pennies" he
says and are buying them up"
Speaking of slight transportation ex-
penses Mr.. Eppstien says: Il get very
little attention from the Quartermaster's
Department because Captain Burnside who
is in charge is of the opinion that the
Postofiice Department should pay for its
transportation of mail matter" This re-
port was made to the Director Of Posts
who is stationed al Manila.