Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1906-06-08

pass, In bulk, through New York, and
are dispatched, via our transconti.
mental railroads through San Fran
cisco to their destination. Much OF
the European mail for the Far East
for Mexico and for South America
finds that the American metropolis
marks one stage Of its journey.
A careful examination Of the equip
ment and operation in the three great
capitals of the Old World-London
Paris and Berlin-is encouraging to
the New Yorker in many respects
and somewhat discouraging in others
BY the development Of the pneumatic
tube in the two Continental cities, II
Is possible to send a card (known as
petite bleue in Paris and as a post
karte In Berlin) from almost any
portion of the city to any other por-
ton in less than an hour. That this
is not possible in New York does moi
need statement.
OF course, the London postman has
duties which are unknown to his
American brother. The postoffice OF
the British capital, in addition to Its
purely postal functions does a tele-
graph, parcels post, savings bank and
insurance business. The London COL
lector and carrier also has his salary
graded more scientifically than that OF
the New York carrier, and when
everything Is considered. he Is better
paid.
The London postoffice Is, all things
considered, probably the most admir-
ably managed and efficient postal in
stitution in the world. The London
postal district, which takes In all the
territory within a circle extending In
all directions eight or nine miles from
ST. Martins LIE Grand (the general
postoffice at Cheapside near Ludgate
HILL is inhabited by nearly 100000
people.
This area Is divided first into postal
districts and then again into sub-dis-
tricts. OF these sub-districts, which
correspond nearly to our branch post
offices, there are 100. In these the
collections and deliveries range (ac-
cording to the density Of population
from five collections and three deliv-
cries a day to twenty-one collections
and twelve deliveries every twenty
four hours.
In the business districts Of New
York there are now nine deliveries q
day and from fifteen to thirty-two col
lections because of the immense con-
gestion of matter. both for local and
foreign distribution. In delivery
however, we are behind London.
In our business districts the last de-
liverJ is made at 4.30, and in the res
idenCe sections at 6. From that time
onward, all through the night until
the next morning, the mail is pour.
Ing INTO the branch stations in such
quantities that when the carrier start:
out in the morning he is overwhelmed
with the frequent result that letter:
which arrived the night before are
not even delivered in the first mai
next morning.
To remedy this Mr.. Wilcox has ask
ed the department for assistance ir
securing another delivery at night
Really, another delivery in the even
ing for the residence districts Is wha
New York needs. A delivery starting
from the branch stations at, say, S.3(
in tie evening would make it possible
to distribute, the same evening, all the
mail signed, stamped and deposited IN
the last business hours. 1t would alsC
facilitate the delivery Of the first mai
the next morning, which would no
then be clogged up with matter posted
at or 630 the night before.
His plans for the improvement o.
postal administration in New Yorl
may be considered under four heads
First, the extension of the pneumatic
tube service; second, the use Of thu
subway for carrying the heavy mails
third. more branch stations and
fourth, better wagon service, where
used, and the introduction Of the au
tOmobila as an aid in making collec
tions.
The Office is q business concern tina
returns a handsome annual profit
while the national postofiice shows {
deficit. Last year the receipts of thu
| New York office were more thar
100000, which is more than one
tenth Of the receipts from the entire
nation. Twelve million dollars Of thi'
was surplus.
And yet it is a curious comment OF
the lack Of business methods so Otter
manifest in our public departments
that during the past decade the gov
ernment has spent more money in de
veloping the rural free delivery, e
most excellent thing In itself. ant
| which, of course, is not being CRITICS
ed here), upon which there has beer
loss of millions since 1897, than II
developing the city free delivery
which makes immense returns to thu
government.
On the showing of It's present prof
its the New York postoffice deserves
better facilities and more funds Il
carry on its work. With greater fa'
cilities and larger funds 1t Will return
even a greater profit than II does
present-New York Sun.