New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-11-08
SELECTIONS FROM THE MAIL.
MONEY ORDERS AT SMALL POSTOFFICES.
OBJECTIONS TO TIE EXTENSION OF THE SYSTEM
ANSWERED.


ANSWERED.
To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: Since the publication of your editorial bear
ing upon my money order plan my attention has
called tc communication from Name
postmaster Mr. Chadbourne. in opposition thereto
I am very glad to have the plan criticised. Mr.
Chadbourne objects to my speaking OF the system
of bookkeeping at money -order offices as compli-
Gated | do not consider 1t an intricate system at
ALL and when used that term had In mind the
postmasters at the very small Offices. To many
OF them / am satisfied the bookkeeping necessary
to transact complete money-order business would
be considered complicated However. 1t is waste
Of time to discuss this point. for any system OF
bookkeeping adopted by C. +. Macdonald. late
superintendent of the money-order department,
would be the best possible under the circumstances
MY object has been to produce plan so simple
that every one Of the postmasters at the 1900
postofflces coming within its scope might readiy
perform the duties pertaining thereto. system
not connected complicated with any other branch
OF the postal service. Mr.. Chadbourne asks: Does
Mr. Hook consider 1t fair to oblige the postmaster
to take all the risks Of the patrons of his officer
No, do not. and when my plan is adopted be-
lieye the Government will assume all risks on
registered letters containing deposits provided the
postmaster complies strictly with INSTRUCTIONS Inc
repositories being by the Government can
afford take the risk while It will probably never
hold Itself responsible Orui1iTy fcSiStcicu ict-
ters Mr. Chadbourne states that he registered the
second quarter this year only ifty-sevcn letters,
while In the month of July alone he registered thir-
tyeight This convinces him that registered letters
are growing in popularity. especially win mer-
chants and business men, To me 1t simply indi-
Gates that the summer visitors have arrived. and
with them an increase In postofice business His
letter plainly shows that his town Is a summer
resort. The superiority OF the money order over
the registered letter system needs no discussion to
demonstrates Mr.. Chadbourne considers my plan
one-sided because II does not accommodate the
summer visitor | would be glad to have all post
Offices complete money-order offices, thus accom-
moiatng everybody. Certainly would IKE 10
oblige the summer visitor. for when the attrac-
tons of Franklin County have become better
known. thousands of them will come to these hill
towns thus adding to our prosperity: but there Is
no use asking of the department what Is sure TO
be refused | will admit that my plan Is to a GER
tain extent. sided. for am working solely 10
secure a convenience for residents OF the country
towns. From these 1900 places an immense
amount in the aggregate goes to the cities In pay
ment for subscriptions to newspapers and maya
zines and for the purchase of drygoods. small
wares and miscellaneous articles. On the Other
hand very little money comes back from the cities
In small sums: hence we carr get along very well
When the city newspapers awake to the fact that
the adoption Of the plan will bring an increased
advertisers generally and possibly more subscrio'
10 themselves they will with unanimity sup
port II. With the above in view II Will be readily
that the plan is not wholly ;ne-sided
What want IL n cheaper-a scent rate-a SAFER.
quicker and more convenient way to send money
than by registered letter. Almost any postmaster
viii state that there are DELAYS incident to regis
money order would escape one Inconvenience about
"A registered letter Is that for the odd change one
has 10 incose either coin or stamps
With a cheap money order rate at all offices
much money sent In ordinary letters would
be sent by money order. Thus the safety OF COM
mon letters would be increased. as the temptation
to thieves would be lessened. Also. editors and
business would escape an inconvenience. as
fewer postage stamps would be irclosed for sub
scrptons and with orders. firmly believe the
plan will be adopted II is Endorsed by many promi-
nent postofiice officials. Three ex-Postmasters-
General have favorably commented upon 1t. On
the other hand not valid objection has yet been
raised Certainly there is none in the letter of Mr..
Chadbourne. II others have unfavorable views
to express. | welcome them. The plan rests on
sound basis and fear no discussion. $1,000
SAMUEL W. HOOK.
Locks Village. Mass. october 10. 1898.