America's postal service is really very good

Frank Reynolds' letter published May 20 suggests a move afoot to process all outgoing mail from every 136 zip code in Syracuse. Apparently much of it has been done in Syracuse for years.

Noting mail from multiple South Jeff correspondents was consistently being canceled in Syracuse, I found myself musing as to what Syracuse was doing to attract all that commerce. At Easter 2005 I mailed test letters to my D.C. address from several locations in Jefferson County. As I mailed each, I noted the location on the envelope's back. Items mailed in Adams, Adams Center, Ellisburg and Sackets Harbor were canceled in Syracuse. Suspecting a fluke, I ran the test again on our next visit here. Three of the four were still canceled in Syracuse.

I might not share Mr. Reynolds' concern as to mail delay. For well over a decade I have noted anecdotally that domestic pre-barcoded envelopes bearing a FIM-A mark were generally delivered in two mail days, even transcontinentally. Indeed, I started using that approach for personal mail. Certainly not everyone goes to that length, but it is indicative of the USPS's capability. Having tracked and attended meetings in Berne of the Universal Postal Union, the specialized agency of the United Nations for postal-sector players, I have seen that the USPS's capabilities are widely envied. Further still, compared to many other countries, we get roughly twice the weight included in that first unit of postage.

From time immemorial, dumping on the post office has been in vogue. Imperfect, yes, but it's a good service. One can only applaud its endeavors to render its service more efficiently. And, no, I have never been a USPS employee.

Francis K. Williams

Adams