Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-07-28
THE REGISTERED MAIL.
How the Government Cares for Valua.
BILE Letters-NO RespOnsi bilily Taken.

Millions Of dollars pass daily through the New
York pOst-offlce In the shape Of registered mail
matter. There are several ways OF sending money
through the mails Perhaps the best. known Is
the money-order system. The postal cote is COM
paratively new and Is therefore, not SO familiar to
the average citizen. But when q man has some
thing valuable other than money or a large sum
Of money he wishes to send to a distant point, he
avails himself OF the registry system This is very
simple. He pays letter postage on the package
and, In addition, fee OF 10 cents 1t may be jew
elry or bonds. or even money in large amounts but
on It goes under the protection or the Post-Office
Department.
suppose a man." explained Post-Ofhce De-
partment Official TO STAR man, "wanted to send
$1,000 TO distant place In this country and
he is person with an extended bank account he
is apt to get ten $1,000 bills, put them In an en-
he intrust the letter to the malls perhaps he asks
himself what will be the result II this money
should happen to be lost: He makes some IN:
QulrieS, and aScerta1nS that the Government would
not be responsible All that the Government en-
cages 70 90 Is to exercise unusual care In
no responsibility attached except In that one par
ticular. Special pouches are furnished, which are
locked at one end Of a through line, and are
not opened until the other end Is reached.
These are specially prepared bags, with combina-
ton locks, and the combination is known
one end and the receiver at the other When the
registered matter ID not placed In q through pouch
a receipt Is required and obtained from every man
into whose hands 1t comes. A registered letter is
put on the train AT a small town, the postmaster
gets receipt from the postal clerk, and the latter
In turn from the postmaster receiving it. re-
cefpt Is required from the person TO whom 1t Is de-
ltvered, so that 1t Is comparatively easy task to
trace registered letter or package and II one is
lost TO NIX the Diane or guilt upon The proper per-
son."
"A rather curious feature has sprung up" he
continued. "There are companies In existence
where business consists In insurng registered
matter. They have nothing to do with It's trans
pOrtatiOn- The Government does that But they
insure the trustworthiness OF the Government its
accuracy, and the Integrity OF Its employees They
take the Risks which the Government refuses 10
take. They guarantee TO man that his package
or letter which he has intrusted to care OF the
malls Shall reach It's destination. II through
any cause the package Is lost then the
insurance company pays the loss. II
may also be added that the Government catches
the thief, as II Is very seldom that the theft OF
registered matter Is q success. SO you see when
man has large amount OF money TO send II he
doubts the reliability OF the Government or Is
afraid OF the casualties or the way, his fears may
be alayed by getting out an insurance policy
which makes him safe whatever nappena The
registry system, like the parcel post infringes
somewhat on the business OF the express COM
panies, and on this account their adoption by the
GOvernme mt was opposed. But IL was thought to
be service required by the people, and, as 1t is
cheaper, Of course II Is popular"