The Washington times., 1901-09-29
OSTMEN OF THE WORLD.
low the Various Nations Uniform
Their Letter Carriers.
An Interesting Exhibit Now mt the
Pan-American ExpOsition-Mny BE
Moved to Washington Loin
Cloths in Japan-Other Dresses

An attractive exhibit in the Govern
ment Building at the Pan-America
Exposition, and one which may posi-
bly, be transferred to the National Mu
scum at the conclusion of the fair, i
series of very life-like figures repre-
senting the uniforms and equipment
of the various postmen of the world
The uniform of the letter carrier of tfi
country must be said to compare rathe
unfavorably, in point of elegance ant
neatness, with those used in othe
countries. IT simplicity of attire th'
postman of Japan must be given frs
place, his uniform consisting of a loiI
Cloth of very scanty dimensions anC
nothing more. 1t is true that this post
man Is only employed in remote dis
tflcts of the country The mail pouche.
: are hung on either end of a bamboo
pole that is carried over the shoulder.
The native runner of Natal is another
striking example of the universally OF
the great postal system of the world
that marvel of human ingenuity which
unites the most distant individuals, ST
that the traveller need rarely feel en-
tirely separated from his home and kin
dred. The Natal runners are interest
ing from their attire, their headdress
o- leaves for instance. and their meth
ods of work When they perform short
journeys they run at a rate of about
four miles an hour. The salary paid is
IS per month, and an allowance is made
for rations. The clothing of the letter
carrier of Natal, in its entirety, con-
sists of military great-coat and cape
which are supplied by the Government
of the Colony. Beneath the oyercoat is
worn a garment called the mucetu:
and raw hide sandal is sometimes
laced to the foot.
The postmen of Barbados, although
they are not privileged to sport the pic
turesque shirt waist of our own letter
carriers, are allowed to wear two uni
forms-one for the hot weather in July,
August, and September, and TIE other
for cooler months. The former is made
of unbleached bottom drill. with red
facings, and the latter of blue serge.
On the southern slopes of the Cauca-
sus. the dweller whc awaits letter
from friend on the plains sends his
dog down in charge of a tax collector
message shall be placed in a little pouch
in the ring of the dogs collar. The in
teliigent quadruped is then turned
loose and trots back home with the
mail.
One of the strangest methods of car
rying the mails is in vogue among the
natives of Coromandel. 1t is said that
waterproof bags are there deposited
in a species of catamaran- boat which is
SO small that the postman has to sit
astride it like q floating log. Some
times these postmen are washed off
into the water, where numerous sharks
form an element of consideration, but
in most cases the passage is made in
safety. and the letters are received
punctually.
Most of the employees of the Postoffice
Department of British Guiana are ne
groes or OF negro descent, although the
administrative staff are Europeans or
of European descent.
The Salvador postman is also
swarthy gentleman. with a strong dash
of African blood in his veins. In the
capital of Salvador there are seventeen
letter carriers of this type, two of
whom are exclusively employed in the
delivery of registered letters for which |
they receive $40 a month. There are |
three monthly mails to Europe, and |
three to this country, all of which are |
carried by the Pacific Steamship Com |
pany.
A very primitive method of carrying |
the mails is in vogue in Korea, a small |
but exceedingly conservative nation.
The ox-cart is here employed in the
postal service, and it is anything but
rapid means of transit. In China,
which is also fairly unprogressive,
there is more of an attempt at speed.
There are two methods of carrying the
mails there. The letters of the man
darins are delivered by special couriers,
accompanied by military es-
cort Public letters are carried by two
private companies. The first company.
called the Local has the cities for its
seat of operations: and the other. cali
ed the General delivers letters TO all
parts of the empire. maintaining COM
with the far-off frontier
towns.
service routes is over 10000 miles. The
uniform Of the postmen is semi-mili-
tary in character; the men themselves
are said TO be a remarkably handsome
body.
In Austria, the Government gives to
the postmen every year one tunic, one
pair OF cloth trousers, one pair of linen
trousers, one waistcoat. and a cap,
while every second year a coat and
blouse are given Previous military
service IL considered as postal service,
ssc IN time OF war each year counts |
souble.
The Roman postman has to work
sight hours day for about s15
month. The uniform is not as neat as
hat Of most other European countries
The Turkish postal system has, of ,
a.e. been reformed with much benefit
% the people of that nation. 1t used
% be frequent occurrence for letters {
o he irrecoverably lost. The pay of
he Turkish letter carriers Is SO low as
o obiige them TO combine with their
'ficiai profession that Of mendicant,
nd ask publicly for .'backsheesh."
The Swedish postman, at least that r
pecimen represented in the exhibit. is :
N old gentleman Of elegant and COM Q
handing appearance, and the neat a
'lack bag which he carries under his O
rm is lost sight of in the majestic h
In point of appearance