National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1881-06-22
POSTAL POSSIBILITIES
suBsTATIoNs IN THE DISTRICT.
Interesting Interview With Postmaster Anger in
Regard to Increased Local Mail Facilities
The Establishment of Substations
at Various Points Probable.

The increase of mail facilities is not
just at the present time matter that is very favor
ably considered in official circles. The current
tends the other way and the tendency is to restrict
rather than to increase. The people will not, how
ever, countenance any policy which interfere:
with their business and as soon as this become:
apparent right about-face movement in this par
tcular will be the order. But there other ways
in which mail facilities may be increased which
do not come under the ban of the present move
ment. The residents of large cities have all felt
the inconvenience of having only one post-ofice
Although the carrier system has removed the ne
cessity of every citizen going to the postofice for
his mall yet those living in the outside limits OF
the city and far removed from the central Office
| have had many Inconvenience to undergo. The
| want of postage stamps, the necessity of sending
| registered letters and money-orders has caused a
waste of valuable time in making a trip to the
office In most of the large cities this difficulty
has been remedied by establishing substations in
convenient and central places throughout the city.
Here letters can be mailed, postage stamps pur-
chased, and money orders and registered letters
can be obtained. The cost of maintaining the
stations to the Government has been found to be
more than made up by the increased amount OF
| business coming to the post-ofice. In this
| city, which has been very appropriately
named 1.-The City of Magnificent Distances" no
such facilities exist and the lack of them is being
| felt more seriously every day. The business men
throughout the city, in pure spirit of accommO-
dation, have been in the habit ofkeeping postage
stamps for sale, but there is, of course, profit
and great deal of trouble resulting from this, q
large number have now ceased to keep stamps
The keeping of stamps, however, has only been
partial remedy, as every one who wishes to send
registered letter or money order is compelled
to go to the post ohce When the immense stretch
ofterritory which lies within the District is consid-
cred, the Inconvenience to the public
arising from q lack of greater facili-
ties is at once apparent 1t is not only
apparent to the citizens but a dread re-
atty in their every day experience The matter
has given rise to more or less talk and complaint
and in some instances an appeal has been made
to the city postmaster; but as yet no organized
systematic effort has been made to secure the
needed increase in local mail facilities In order
to ascertain if the establishment of subpost-o
stations through the city was among the possibii-
ties, reporter of THE REPUBLICAN called yester-
day upon Colonel Anger, the city postmaster.
After stating some of the difficulties and annoy
ances under the present system the reporter asked
rs the estab lishment of system of substations
in this city feasible?'
Certainly, it is feasible enough" was the
prompt reply; " but this office has no money for
such purpose have thought for long time
that something of the sort should be done. Now
there is that part of the city Capitol HILL near
the navy-yard; station could very properly be
established there especially after the 1st of JULY
as understand the post-office at Anacostia will
be abolished, and the delivery of the nail there
will be made by this Office. The same thing was
done in Georgetown; the Office there was abol-
ished, and the mail-seryice is much better, while
there has been saving of $1,000, which was the
salary of the postmaster If a station was estab-
ished on Capitol Hill there could be four daily
deliveries, instead of two, at the present time"
" How much would such q station cost?'
well, it would probably require the attendance
of two clerks, and the yearly cost would not be
more than g 000.'
Would it require a direct appropriation from
Congress-
NO; the Postmaster General could authorize
such an expenditure"
Gould not such station be established in other
localities in the city,
Yes, l think that station in the West End
would pay. That section is rapidly filling up The
post at Mount Pleasant was abolished wear
ago. and now that section TO the toll gate-a dis
lance from this Office of three miles-is served by
mounted couriers. The service, of course, is much
better than formerly, and it is a significant fact
that the mail business has increased fourfold dur
ing the past year."
is that rule that increased mail facilities in
crease the amount of the mailed matter?'
Yes; believe that has proved to be the rule
not only here, but everywhere else'
Then the establishment of stations in this
city would actually be remuncratfve to the Gov
eminent, as well as a convenience to the city?"
a think that would be the result