The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1889-07-05
RED TAPE METHODS.
The Ridiculous Way i'm Which Some Go
eminent business is Transacted.

The Ridiculous Way i'm Which Some Gov.
eminent Business is Transacted.
''There is one thing the Administra-
ton at Washington ought to do" said
Congressman Grain of Texas, at the
Aston House the other day. 'It ought
to make a clean sweep of the ridiculous,
expensive and slow red-tape methods.
For half a century the methods have
been growing complicated until at last
the head of department is at the COM
plete mercy of clerks who have been
trained in these complications. Re-
Gently a case was reported to me which
indicates the absurdity of the system
that waste the time of employees and
delay public business. A man wrote
to the Postoffice Department, inclosing
a two-cent stamp. He said he had
used stamp that had not been effect
lively Cancelled and his conscience
troubled him, and therefore he sent
this stamp in payment. Then, here is
what happened:
1.-The letter with the two-cent stamp
was entered of record in the book of
letters received in the Postmaster
General office. The chief clerk put
his Endorsement on it, and messenger
carried it to the Third Assistant Post
master-General. There the notice OF
it's arrival went into another book of
letters received and then the Third
Assistant referred it to the finance d.
vision. The chief of the division
took the two-cent stamp, pasted it
upon the letter, drew his pen twice
across the stamp, wrote under it can
celed, and signed his name. A clerk
signed below as witness to the transac-
fion. Then the letter went into the
files to be preserved for future genera
tions of officeholders to marvel over.
Now, what do you think of such bust
ness as thatp''
''Well. that isn't anything" said one
of the Signal Service officers employed
near New York, who happened to be
present. ''Just look at us. The five
hundred men in the Signal Service
corps are paid monthly their army pay
proper, communication of rations and
communication of quarters and fuel. The
Paymaster General sends each man
check for his pay proper, for which he
signs duplicate vouchers; the Commits
sary General sends each man check
for his communication of rations, for
which he signs duplicate vouchers. and
the bureau sends each man check for
his Communication of quarters and fuel,
for which he signs duplicate vouchers.
Here are three accounts where one is
enough; three letters inclosing three
checks, and the employment of num-
Der OF unnecessary clerks, simply ia
pay us our little monthly dues. Red
tape? Well. yes; and it is expensive
to the Government and troublesome ia
US as we'll. IN. Y. Star.
Sermons at ii ONE. Real good man
Ito his minister) tit seems to me that
take cold when in church-used to
warm, dry sunny rooms, you know,
and If you don't object should like
the privilege of having telephone
attachment made to your desk SO that
when l fear to venture to church I can
at least hear the sermon" Minister
(delighted) - Certainly, certainly.
Have it fixed at any time" Real good
man (the following Sslnday)-'sJason,
what is that talkP" Jason Ga valet)
1.-THE sermon in your sounding
telephone, sir. "Oh. forgot. Put
e blanket over il"