The Cordova daily times., 1919-02-17
need
FOR EFFICIENT
MAIL SERVICE

Since the termination of the old AL
aska mail contracts last summer, the
postal service of the territory has suf-
fered lamcntable breakdown, result
ing in general complaint in all parts
of Alaska. The present system,
under which the mail is handled as
express or freight in southeastern AL
aska, and by small boat to points
to the Westward along the Alaska
peninsula, is not only unsatisfactory,
but altogether inadequate, and if con-
tinued will greatly hamper and retard
the development of the fisheries, as
we'll as Of other Alaskan resources.
The result of the present policy in
Southeastern Alaska has been irregu-
lar and infrequent service, long delay
in the delivery and distribution of
mail at points even a short distance
off the main lines of steamer travel,
and general inconvenience. With no
special obligation as to the handling
of the mail, instead of going on a
regular schedule it is delivered when
ever boat happens to have sufficient
freight to warrant a call On arrival
1t is often among the last fright to be
discharged, and if landed at night has
to wait until the next day before being
distributed and forwarded; while out
going mail from Alaska points, in
stead of being received up to the time
of sailing, must be posted many hours
in advance. Many communities on
the Alaskan coast, open to transpor-
tation throughout the year, are now
often entirely without mail for weeks
at time, where it was formerly re-
ceived every few days.
Freight and passenger service also
has suffered greatly on account of the
present system. Where formerly
regular schedules were maintained In
accordance with the mail contracts,
steamer service is now dependent on
the accumulation of sufficient freight
to pay for the trip. Thus both pas
senger travel and the shipment of
freight to and from many points in
Alaska, where calls were formerly
made with some regularity, have be-
come exceedingly difficult and uncer-
tain.
The result of these conditions to
the communities along the Alaskan
peninsula, among the adjacent islands
and in Boring Sea has been far more
serious than in Southeastern Alaska.
The mail steamer was formerly the
sole reliance of these communities
for freight and passenger service dur
ing the winter months; but the boat
now handling the mail for this dis
trict is without freight or passenger
facilities, and has been unable even
to maintain mail service with regu-
larity through the winter. When this
condition arose many communities to
the Westward were short of food and
other winter supplies, and while this
condition has been partly relieved
through private effort, with the CO.
operation of the Pacific-American
Fisheries and the Revenue service,
further service is needed to prevent
serious hardship in these communi-
ties before spring.
This country in former years took
just pride in the universal and ef-
ficient service rendered by the post
ONCE department, which was of in
calculable Importance in the early de-
velopment Of the west. The CARRYING
of the mails with promptness and reg
ularity was regarded as a vital func-
ton, to be fulfilled to the limit of pos
sibility. At the same time, the plac-
Ing of mail contracts often made 1t
possible to furnish regular means OF
transportation, which otherwise would
have been lacking. Such pioneer
countries as Alaska are peculiarly de-
pendent upon such facilities, and the
only practical way In which they can
be provided is through the mainten-
ance of an efficient postal service,
with liberal policy on the part OF
the postal authorities. Mail in from
tier country like Alaska cannot be
successfully handled on the basis OF
the lowest possible cost. Service,
rather than economy is the proper
aim Of the postoffice department; and
the service must be maintained on an
efficient basis-without extravaganza,
indeed, but II necessary even at cost
greater than any immediate return
If the development Of Alaska is to con-
A. T-- - i b II y Is