The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-02-22
Not Satisfied With Uncle Sans
Mail Service.
WANT MORE THAN LETTERS.
Has Been Holding Other
Than First-Ciass Mail Until Sum-
mer, Though Contractors Are Not
Taking Their Full Quantity
Chamber Of Commerce to Com
munfcatewith Postmaster General

The mail facilities between the United
States and Dawson are not satisfactory to
the people OF the Klondike. and they arc
theoretically protesting against the condi-
lions. They claim that the Canadian De-
velopment Company is not delivering the
100 pounds OF matter a week required I'M
der the contract, and ask the authorities
to take measures 20 have more mall sent.
IL is also claimed that much matter upon
which irst-class rates are paid IS withheld
until the summer.
The matter was presented TO the local
Chamber OF Commerce yesterday, whcn
Secretary Prosch read documents that Lad
come from the Board OF Trade OF Dawson,
mailed January 2. "Other people can and
do bring in papers. magazines. merchan-
disc. etc." read letter from F. w. Clay
ton, secretary OF the board. ''and we can
see no reason why all the mail consigned
to this district should not be brought In and
delivered. The route may not be a proita-
BILE one. but IL the government has to
economize let IL do 20 at the expense OF
some other part Of the country. We have
enough to contend with without being shut
off from civilization by our own govern
ment."
1t developed in the discussion over these
communications that the government mas
probably been requested by the Canadian
authorities not to ship second, third and
fourth-class matter TO Bennett. the END OF
the United States route to Dawson, as It
could not be handled and would have to be
held there until spring This was given as
the reason for the refusal of Uncle Sam to
take other than letter mail, and that con-
tanning only correspondence, from the
United States addressed TO down the Yu-
kon.
Secretary Prosch held. and this was con-
CURED in by the others, that the United
States should deliver the mail at Bennett
and II II was not taken on TO Dawson the
responsibility would rest on the Dominion.
AT the end Of the discussion the secretary
was instructed to communicate with the
postmaster general and see IL something
could not be done to improve tine condi-
tons.
The Dawson people have addressed COM
muncations to the postmasters general
of the United states and Canada contain
signed by all the large commercial COM
panies and business men of Dawson In
general, besides the board of trade. The
letters read as follows;
THE Canadian Development Company
has contract for delivering 700 pounds
OF mail each week. but the average
weight OF mail matter transported each
week from the outside has been about
$50 !. pounds nLs r.,,a,,v ,n,oru,.s ,s., 49,.
the instructions of the department limit
. ~
matter upon which nrst-class postage has
been paid had been withheld, and will
not be delivered until the approaching
summer. This works a great hardship
on those depending on the mail for the
transmission of documents and papers
absolutely essential TO the proper carry
ing on of business. Many OF us are also
subscribers 10 periodicals, which are with
held. although first-class rates have been
paid thereon.
I'VE would therefore respectfully re-
quest that relief be afforded us 20 the
extent of forwarding up TO the full guam
tity specified in tho contract all matter
upon which hrst-class postage has been
paid, and that II necessary 20 insure the
sending OF all first-class matter, an en-
iarged and supplementary contract be
entered into forthwith.
your petitioners would also submit
that all matter OF whatever class con-
signed 70 the postal service be promptly
forwarded to II destination. as In many
instances periodicals, books, pamphlets
etc, are as essential to business inter-
cSts ms IL correspondence.
Notices are frequently received that
mail matter Is held for insufficiency OF
postage. The time specified In the notice
1.-TWO weeks IL not sufficient time for the
amount required to be returned. Replies
70 such notices sent from Skagway TO
this place to be replied 10 require Mt
least four weeks. from Seattle six weeks
II VIII therefore he seen that this works
great hardship and loss
we would therefore respectfuliv re-
quest that the postmasters at Skagway
Seattle and other places be instructed 10
retain mail matter on which insufficient
postage has been paid a sufficient length
OF time say two months. To enable those
Interested 20 make good the deficiency
before final disposition 81 made