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- Anothcr-Thc Presi-
dente Local Acts as Postmaster
Hnd Obtains Ala From the Police.
Money Order Offices Badly Needed.

a number OF interesting facts regarding
the difficulties OF mail seTyi-e in the Phil
ippines are given in the latest report Of
superintendent Eppstein, who fas charge
OF the mails at Vigan. port In Luzon-
The report shows that the Old Span sh
system of mail delivery b. Uative runners
is stil in force, and the On.y means Of
Transporting letters to the various in and
towns. In these small communities regu-
lsrly appointed postmasters have not as
Jet been installed. and the mayer OF presi-
dente local acts as postmaster. having his
letters delivered by the most convenient
means he can find from time TO time E ch
mayor depends upon his police 10 a srsat
extent for the delivery of mails, and his
Office or residence Is known as the post
Office
with the establishment Of American
postofiices in isolated parts of the iIiuds.
however. the service will be greatly mod
eJnized and quicker and more accurate de-
livery methods will be adopted.
Postmaster Epstein was sent to Vigan
late last year and established his oiiice in
a small room formerly used a q Spanish
telegraph Office. Mr. Epps,elu says:
4 have Cne room, about 5oN3.. with a
partition forming entrance and lobby. In
this place / found two pieces Of post Gce
furniture which / am using 10 good I'D e
vantage.
The first batch OF native mail | deIiv-
cred with the assistance Of the presidente
local who has charge OF the police l ar
ranged with him TO have ali local mail de-
liyered by his police without cost to this
department and the arrangement is work
ing very we'll.
Native mail is also despatched by native
police. 1t is made up in bundles. scaled
and addressed to the presidente local Of
the town to which il is directed. This mail
is then delivered by him
The bundles are divided into routes
those going nOrtherly are carried TO the
iirst or nearest place on the route by 10
cal runner. These are all given TO the
mayor who holds out the package for BIS
place and SEEDS the remainder on 70 the
next station by one OF his runners. and so
on. until the last town is reached. no mat
ter how far distant IL may be.
Il have not yet seen fit 10 chance any
army mail in this way. SO far I have has
plenty Of opportunity for sending such mail
by American soldiers or by ship couveu-
iently bound. ] will soon turn my atten-
/
nando and Laoag and supply them each
with q 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. 7 also
require a lamp one muCilage bottle and
I brush and one ink well. 4 pair Of scales
is also needed.
Postmaster Eppstein says that there is a
great demand FOR pennies and writes for
an additional supply. Iue natives have
taken a great fancy 10 the pennies" he
says. and are buying them up.
Speaking OF slight transportation ex-
penses Mr.. Eppstieu says: 4 get very
little attention from the QUartermaster S
Department because Captain Burnside. Who
is in charge. is OF the opinion taat the
POstotfce Department should pay for its
transportation OF mail matter" This re-
port was made to the Director OF Pos g
who is stationed al Manila