The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1889-10-26
POsTOFFICE REGULATIONS.

New Method Of d Registered Letters
Adopted at the Inspectors' Conference.
WASHINGTON. Oct. @.-The conference of
division inspectors of the Postofice Depart
ment. which has been in session during the
last ten days in the office of Chief Inspector
Rathbone. has adjourned. and the inspect
ors have returned to their respective sta
tions. The object of the conference was a
general interchange of views upon a large
number of subjects suggested by Chief In
spector Rathbone and other officials of the
PostOf1ce Department, including the in
spectors themselves. The subject of regis
tered package envelopes n the treatment
of registered matter generally were dis
cussed at some length, and, as q result, q
system of consecutive Endorsements by all
persons through whose hands the packages
pass was adopted. 1t appears that the reg
uIations now in force require that
tered package from the time it starts
from the originating office until
it reaches the person for whom it is in
tended, at its final destination shall sign
their names to the envelope IN consecutive
order, noting the time received and the
condition in which the package is found.
This regulation. however, has not been
strictly followed. Employees are in the
habit Of signing their names with a hand
stamp. without any special references to
consecutive order. 80 that it has been
utterly impossible in many cases. to follow
the course of the package, and so fix the re-
spOnsibility for loss. Hereafter a strict
observance of this regulation will be re-
CURED.
As to the registered package envelope. no
change was recommended. although it was
the opinion Of the inspectors present that
the one now in use is entirely deficient in
several important particulars. What is
s Wsiehy cann needed be- rifa ,s without an s ssoN9Ds
signs of having been tampered
with. The envelope now in use, it is said,
could be opened. the contents removed and
the envelope resealed with great ease, and
if skillfdlly done almost battle detection.
Their study. and any suggestions for i'm
prOvement In registered envelopes will be
at once communicated to the department..
The book of instructions furnished the
inspectors was discussed and thoroughly
revised. Auniform system of bookkeeping,
reports, blanks, ETC., was adopted. The
subject of the creation of two new divisions
was considered, but no change was made,
further than to recommend the employment
of additional clerks at each division head.
quarters. A large part of the time of the
! conference was devoted to a discussion of
means and Methods to be adopted in the
detection of crime, and the conviction and
punishment of persons violating the postal
was addressed by Postmaster general
Wanamaker. First Assistant Postmaster
general Clarkson, Second Assistant Whit
field and Third Assistant Hazen. Assistant
Attorney-general Tyner and q number OF
the bureau officers, each explaining il
what particular his branch of the service
could be improved through the co-opera.
tiOn of the inspectors. The conference. il
is believed, will result in Permanet good tc
the service generally, and in all probability
the division inspectors will hereafter bs
called together for conference and consul
tation at least once in each year.