Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1882-01-04
CHEATING UNCLE SAM.
Miner Frauds in the United States
Mail Service.
Smuggling Letters in Low Rate Matter,
Iudicrous Cases Of Discovery
and Extra Charges-little
Frauds Systematized.
A HALF HOUR IN THE POST OFFICE.

HALT MUM IN iHI WI vi
Everybody thinks it's smart to try aud
cheat the government remarked assistant
westminster Kelley, 'sbut they come to
lad, had place when they try their ltne
games on the Wheeling postotfice. Ia.
Pardoning the commendable Wy,
which is q pride every man should taAe IN
his business, the reporter pursued ms en-
0uiries into the meaning which ay hidden
in the yaunt. What was meape %as' tha. .
! systematized course of beatiJg the Postai
system was in vogue; and or better uh'
Outstanding of the methods, few preilh-
mary words are necesssy. There are IouT
distinct classes of mya matter, composer
and rated as follows
First cIass-LetJ9rs and all sealed matter,
nut beyond exapdnation By officials trans.
nlittcd at the r.te OF } cents FOR every nan
Second cJsSs-Newspapers and periodicals
nv nubljs1ers sent in bulk ut . cents
Tbiri Newspapers and magazines
and general printed matter, without writ
ing mailed by individuals, at the rate OF |
crnt for every two ounces.
Fourth observation-disclosures merchan-
die. excluding unavailable matter at the
rate of ! cent an ounce.
II
save the first, is subject to Inspection by
officials and must contain no writing, and
that each class is subject 70 its own special
rates. Sealed packages, of whatever class,
are subject to the full letter rates.
TIE sage remark given ut the beginning
of this sketch was the result OF package
which the officer held in his hand. There
was case of medical instruments, fourth
class matter, nicely done up and apparent
" free of any extra embargo; but IRON
deep corner the clerk had iishcd outa three
coInered note, informing DIR. = that the
instruments were sent IS desired.
'.There is man who will 'CusS' the roof
off" remarked the clerk, as he stepped TO
the nicely adjusted scales and noted the
weight Of the package. The charges are
only s. s. extra for that little piece OF
fRcSSC, when three cents would have safely
carried the letter through. The mailer
knew he was attempting TO dcfraud the
Government, as you can see how carefully
this little bWei-dOur was slowed III the cor
ner to escape observation"
Upon the table near by stood box, eyl'
DENLY Christmas present. The condition
Of the binding cords evidenced the fact that
an examination of some kind had been
given at the mailing point and we see
what kind of a one il was, said the clerk,
as with iendish grin lie raised the I'D.
There lay dainty pair OF slippers, chi
broidered by some fair hand and doubtless
with every complicated stitch had been
worked in u thought Tor the happy man
for whom they were destined. There was
no writing in the box, but ut the extreme
point Of one OF the toes dainty
note, three cOrnered and pCrfumed
lurk,d usrolu. Of course the clerk did not
read it. and 50 the rcportUrial curiosity
was ungratifed, but with a sigh Of sorrow.
the former pasted On CiChty-twO cents in
due stamps" and sent the box on its
way.
dJust look at these Sheets exclaimed
Mr.. Kelley. holding to view half dozen
long slips Of paper, covered with names
post Offices, opposite each appearing Ger.
tain hiCrUglyphiCS, these are the result ol
just few days work. l have cauShtait OF
these offices on unrated packages, and these
little documents must go to the Depart
mcnt nj Washington. The"'ll 'cuss' the
Wheeling post office, but such is lie III
small manufacturing community.
Pursuring his Investigations, the inter
eStcd reporter came continually upon fresh
cases Of ignorance or fraud. Here was
novel. Aunt Serena" mailed i'll Ohio and
addressed to a young Wheeling lady. In
The fly leaves was a note 10 the receiver
from the sender, thanking her for the loan
bl the bOth. NAllNAl W do JtNb bpO sl'i''A'i'''
II will cost here's cents TO get that book and
three cents invested in stamp would have
have prevented it.
Now here's i bonanza case, exclaimed
the clerk, unrolling Il package OF New York
illustrated papers addressed To nesw-
dealer in this city. In the interior OF the
bundle was Il supply Of fancy articles, pens,
holders, stationery, craserS pen wiperS and
dozens Of other things. This bundle was
mailed rs second class matter at the rate OF
> cents a pound; but here are things which
make il fOurth-claSs, ut Il cent an ounce.
This little game will lie stopped and he
noted a few hcrioglyphiCs on the wrapper
and entered note on his information slip.
Anything to beat the government. YOU
know"
Here are some interesting collections Of
news that will make good firing up stun,
called out clerk. and the reporter crancd
his neck through the window 10 see. Here
are four papeOS in enc wrapper and all Tor
a cent. Some incrcdulOuS individual eX-
poets to send that roll 20 Columbus for one
cent. That goes into the waste basket
How is that?'
'fhe rule is that when papers have not
enough postage they never leave the oficc.
We have no means OF knowing the sender,
so into the waste basket they go. People
have an idea that one cent will carry any
number OF papers and then they swear
their papers are stolen because they never
reach their destination. They find quiet
grave in the waste basket and the senderS
should be sure they re properly prepaid
Here is where We lose on letters nor
paid up and this is why matter is required
10 be rated at the mailing office. The gov
eminent does not pay the Il. q o. railroad
company say Sl0O,OO0 year for transmit
ting the mail matter, but So much per
pound per mile, and if matter is not prop
erly rated. We lose on the contracts. The
matter is weighed by the mail wcighcrs
every month. or twelve times Z year and an
average struck on that basis. OF course we
lose on undcrpaid mottcr, and yetnot day
passes that does not bring il in"
Must YOU open every package
I'VE must indeed. Ii package cannot
be opened il is rated as sealed or trst-ciaaSs
matter, and charged at full letter rates.
II this was not done the corruption of
, mail matter would be immense
And what writing can BE- put in book,
for instance?'
THE name OF the sender and the da.c.
and the name OF the recipient may go in,
but no information, and no other writing
Then 10 tender messages can be written
on the lily pages?'
Not unless you wish IA pay full letter
rates, and perhaps fine
The cases in detail, Of various kinds, by
which respectable citizens endcavor 70 take
advantage OF package rates were very nu-
merouS; but as Mac. states, the Wheeling
pOStOffiCc is difficult 10 catch rapping.
We pick mp these other offices and report
them, and they would like to get back at
Us, but we watch them like hawks was
the closing remark OF the servant of Uncle
Sam.
HnrEI ARRiYAIS