The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1892-03-06
CAUGHT AT THE POSTOFFICE
Suggestions of Improvements in the
Service and a Story or Two.
Encouraging the Use of Stamped Envelopes
Partial Prepay Who Loot
Bet-Mailing Circulars.

Postmaster Thompson is of the opinion
that the government should give more en-
couragement to the use of the stamped
envelope. 1T would be desirable thIngn
said Mr.. Thompson. Ito bring about an al
most universal use of the stamped envelope
and the special-request envelope. If q linn
tied addition to the printed request upon
the envelope were allowed the use would he
greatly extended. This would be speedily
accomplished if the envelopes were supplied
to the public at the price of the stamp. 1t
would also give additional security to the
delivery of mail, as there would be no
stamps to drop of, and no stamps to be for
gotten by careless or hurried people.
There is another matter that might be
amended; in fact. in spite of the great
things that have been done under the adj
ministratIon of Postmaster-Reneral Wana-
maker, there will be other improvements
suggesting themselves all the time. The
present business like administration,
through the very improvements IL has
made, has encouraged other suggestions.
There IS considerable loss to the
revenues of the government because of
the regulation permitting letters to pass
through the mails with one rate prepaid
without reference to the weight of the let
ter. By this of course. | mean that If 2
cents IS paid. though the letter may carry
several times that amount OF postage, 1t Is
taken and the overweight Is supposed to
be collected OF its destination. A great
amount of such overweight postage Is
never collected. At this office. where con-
siderable care is used we collect about
81. 0O0 year of this kind of postage, and /
have no doubt that half as much more. that
is one thousand dollars worth, slips
through unpaid, as letters are neces-
sarily handled in O hurry. At small
offices very little due postage is collected.
1t would be difficult 10 approximate the loss
Of postage from this cause, and full prepay
ment should be made compulsory. There
are firms In this city, as we know, who
write to customers that they need not pay
but one rate on letters. regardless of weight.
IS they (the houses mentioned) will pay the
remainder. Of course, they intend TO pay
it, and this is very clever to their patrons.
but some of this generosity is at the eX-
pense Of the government. for. as | said. we
do not catch all the overweights."
Postmaster Thompson's Office is regular
rendezvous for his large circle of friends.
and there they gather every afternoon be-
tween and O'Clock. and spin yarns. talk
politics and criticise the state of
things in general. AS the cam-
paign draws near politics becomes
the most absorbing TOPIC, and If there is
any theory that has not been advanced or
probability discussed it is due simply to
want of o chance Postmaster Thomp.
son always keeps the easiest and
most comfortable chair in the
room and let's his guests sit on the table,
the stiff bottomed chairs or stand mp He
pulls his black derby hat down over his
n nd 20 L., mi
the low back of the chair, then permits
the conversation to 60 on uninterrupted.
Nobody can tell whether he is awake or
not half the time. and only when Assistant
ask tor O cigar does he show any
signs OF life. A well-known politician w no
may be called Tom Robinson. because that
is not his name. is the center of
attraction. and he does all the talking. aud
the others the dlsputing. A gentleman en-
tered the office the other evening when tito
crowd was all assembled and, extending
his hand to Mr.. Robinson, said: How are
you, Mr.. Robinson; haven't seen yOn since
you returned from your campaign tonr.'
''Yes; you're O damned aristocrat. you
are. Pvs seen you dozen times since, /
"What,' exclaimed the newcomer in as
constituent.
Eyes. have; 1 saw You over in your
you for half an hour"
30 come now, Robinson. what are you
TALKING. that way fort You know you're
joking" fT
''See here" answered Robinson, growing
q nickel Pm right. and Pll prove 1t to you
before all these men," The bet was agreed
to. and the stakes put up in Postmaster
Thompson's hands Now" began Robin
son. %oyIns closer to the meet edge of
over in front of .yonr Office the
other day and you, asked me In and we sat
down and you gave me cigar. and then
you reached down in the drawer of your
desk and passed me bottle of whisky, you
Dragged On and said you had been made
present of itf Didn't you, nowf
Nope" cheerily anewered the other.
you're plumb wrong. Robinson, you must
have hit some other mans bottle too hard
and haven't recovered from 1t yet"
why, Smith. you're either crazy or a
damn liar or BOTH" excitedly answered
Robinson, az the crowd gave him the laugh.
smith, His name amt Smith," ans
wered Postmaster Thompson, waking up 1t
this point. This is Jones. who works for
Smith,"
"WhatW calculated Robinson. Jumping mp
and reaching for his ten. This Is n set-up
job; give me that money; won't be played
for no sucker this way"
Jones didn't want his money anyhow so
he compromised with Robinson upon his
agreeing to take the crowd over to GasDers
ana set 'em IN.
Now he yeIls Jones" when he sees that
gentleman a block away.
"A great many people," remarked Post
master Thompson. ARE of the opinion that
circulars mailed in this city to be delivered
here by local carriers must bear a two-cent
st amp. The question has been answered
over and over again ard some people never
will be Informed. An unsealed printed
circular goes at the rate of l cent for two
ounces or under. and at that rate will be
delivered anywhere in the United States.
No writing. however, is permitted in such
circular except the date at the head Of it,
and the PERSONS name to whom il is sent.
One may also sign his name at the bottom
of the printed circular"
DCDSAN Ann CnNIEnV