The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1891-11-14
POSTAL BANKS.
The United States Runs Such An
Institution.
Any One Can Deposit Money in Charge
of the Post Office.
Itinerants Who Trust the Money Order De-
partment With Largo Amounts-CIrcus
Men Wero the First TO Discover
and Use the Valuable System.

I men hcro the ftrRt TO DlaCOVer
and Use the Valuable System.
CINCINNATI, Nov. 9.--It Is not gener-
ally known that the postal order de-
partment of the U. S. post Office has
savings bank attachment. This was
first discovered by an itinerant class
who had no faith in banks, and who
had no homes in which to hide their
surplus cash. 1t was long time ago
that John Smith, or some equally we'll
known acrobat of circus, discovered
that it was dangerous business to carry
his roll around with him, and it was af-
ter he had been robbed several times
| right after pay day that he
tried the scheme of sending his
money to the town ahead where he
thought it would come in most need.
From this developed the practice of
these show people to have money
order made out to their own name,
payable in Cincinnati, where most of
them live. This proves indeed a saw
ings bank, for they can draw none of
their money until they put in a person
al appearance in this city. Such de-
| positors look out for immediate con-
tingencies. After q long season
many of the frugal ones find them
selves prepared for cold winter, and
there are several instances where there
was enough surplus 20 start a lucrative
| business.
This matter was brought prominently
to the notice Of the money-order de-
partment Saturday when famous fe-
| mn Ia fro t,ok n1
with the Robinson show, called at the
window and asked how much money
the post Office had on hand for her.
Superintendent Frank Zumstein made
an examination of the books, and
responded that there was something
over $1,000 in the sub-treasury subject
to her order. 1t had been accommodating
during her travels in the south, west,
north and east Each week money
orders of various amounts had been re-
ceived, and the Cincinnati Office, know
ing that these sums would be called for
at certain date, notified the Washing
ton authorities at the end of three
months, and then retained the cash in
stead of sending it on there, as required
in ordinary cases.
report, and stated that she did not want
any of her money at that moment, but
might call for few hundred in few
days. Soon after another member of
the circus called in and presented list
of orders under score of names to as
certain If the orders sent had been duly
received and credited Of the score of
depositors on his list all were credited
with the accumulated amounts of eight
months deposits.
Later in the day a bareback rider
came in and presented several orders
for hundred dollars each. She had
over $500 to her credit On inquiry re-
porter was informed that the aggregate
deposits of this nature in Cincinnati
were about $4,000. The depositor has
absolute certainty that he will receive
his money. Uncle Sam never busts or
suspends payment 1t is difficult to
forge an order on him, and but little
trouble for theodepositor to recover on
such forgery. In all cases of loss on
money orders the government pays the
loss. Then there are fewer criminals
willing to run the risk of getting into
controversy with the United States
| courts
This bank has another feature that is
in way superior to the national insti-
tuition. The money order is evidence
of a deposit, and when the itinerant
runs short it is not difficult matter to
raise funds from the treasurer of the
company if his concern is not insolvent.
The bank is not for local depositors,
however, as any will learn who attempt
to draw an order at Mr. Zumsteins
window payable at the Cincinnati Of
flee. He can easily avoid any such re-
fusal, however, by obtaining the order
at the Office near his suburban home,
payable at the downtown office. Thus
an order drawn at the Walnut Hills of
fee, although within the city limits,
made payable at the Cincinnati Office,
will be honored