The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-07-28
FOR LETTER WRITER'S.
A Long List of "Don'ts'' Issued by the
Postoff1ce Department,

a Long List or "DOn'tS' Issued by the
Postof1ce Department.
From the Philadelphia Ledger.
WASHINGTON, July 25.-The postofflce
department receives frequent complaints in
relation TO failure to deliver letters. In q
majority Of cases the fault is with the par
ties who send the letters. Sometimes the
writer neglects TO place a stamp on his let
ter, and in many cases the address Is not
clear, or is not quite sufficient. The depart
ment has done everything that Is possible
to be done to facilitate prompt dispatch aud
early delivery Of letters, and, if writers
would be careful to comply with the sugRes-
lions of the department In regard to address
ing their communications there would be
fewer complaints and the work of the dead
letter Office would be materially lessened.
Recently the postoffice department epitoS
mixed the contents of various circular let
ters of instruction heretofore issued upon
this subject, with view OF furnishing the
public with advice in relation to the prepa-
ration OF matter for the mails. This epi-
tome ia in the form of brief paragraphs,
each Of which begins with an admonition
preceded with the word Don't" Il can be
studied with profit by all classes of people,
and, if followed, will add very much to the
efficiency of the postal service. These in
structions are divided into two parts, one
relAll0R 70 bilo preparation Ol ASLbtEn LOT LIS
mail and the other to the preparation Of
parcels. As to letters the instructions are:
Don't mail any letters until you are sure
that it is completely and properly addressed.
Don't place the address so thai there will
be no room for the postmark.
Don't fail, in the hurry Of business. to
write the name of the state you intend and
not your own-a very common error.
Don't fail to make certain that your man.
Of writing the mama of an OffiCa or
state may not cause 1t to be mistaken for
one similar in appearance. 1t is often better
to write the name of the state IN full.
Don't fail, il you are in doubt as to the
right name of the office for which your let
ter is intended, to consult the Postal Guide,
which any postmaster will be pleased to show
you.
Don't fail to give the street and house
number of the person for whom mail mat
ter is intended in addressing It to a CITY or
large town.
Don't mail any letter until you are sure
that It is properly stamped.
Don't fail to place the stamp in the upper
right-hand corner.
DON'T write on the envelope SIN haste
Scare Of postmaster" etc.; it does no good,
and tends 10 confusion in the rapid handling
of mail matter.
Don't fail to bear in mind that 1t is I'M
lawful to enclose matter of higher class in
one that is lower: 9. g., merchandise In
newspapers.
Don't mail any letter unless your address.
with a request to return, is upon the face OF
the envelope; so that in case of non-delivery
it will be returned direct to you.
Don't fail to give your correspondents
your full address, so that new postman
cannot fail TO find you.
Don't fail to notify your postmaster Of
any change in your address.
Don't trust TO the fact that you are an
''old resident" "well-known citizen" etc.,
but have your letter addressed in full.
Don't fail, il you intend TO be away from
home for any length OF time, to INFORM your
postmaster what disposition shall be made
of your NAH.
Don't delay the delivery of any mail mat
ser that you may take out for another.
Don't fail TO sign your letters in full, SO
that if they reach the dead letter Office they
may be promptly returned.
Don't, when you fail to receive an ex-
pected letter, charge the postal service with
its loss until you have learned from your
correspondent all the facts in regard to its
mailing, contents. etc.
Few persons. perhaps, con read the above
without realizing that they frequently do
what they are cautioned not to do IN the
preparation of letters for mailing. The
rules for parcels are as follows:
Don't mail q parcel without previously
weighing it to ascertain proper amount OF
postage.
Don't wrap a parcel in such manner that
the wrapper may become separated from
the contents.
DON'T seal or wrap parcels in such man
ner that their contents may not be easily
examined.