The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-08-01
A ~POSTOFFICE EVIL
MIR. SiHM INVESTIGATES THE GEN.
ERAL DELIVERY WINDOW.
Large Number of Women Obtaining
Mail Under Fictitious Names-Pe0-
pie with Several Aliases.

Since his induction into the office of
postmaster Albert Sahm has become con-
WINGED that a vicious system Of CORE
spondence which has been aided by the
general delivery system should be abated.
With this idea in view he has written the
department at Washington. Clerks at the
postoffice say that the number of people
who call for mail at the general delivery
window daily has grown to be appallingly
large. People Of all classes receive their
mail at the office and the postmaster and
his assistants have an opportunity OF
studying the characteristics Of those who
give fictitious names. Many of those who
daily receive letters under false colors are
women. who oftentimes hesitate in an
embarrassed way while asking for their
mail. Frequently these persons are known
to the clerks. In many cases people call
out four or five different names at the win
dow, and the natural conclusion is that
they are receiving mail in a questionable
manne The names of Smith and
Jones and johnson" have been worked
so often at the general delivery window
that they have grown tiresome. While the
postmaster does not openly contend that
this clandestine correspondence has in It
all elements of evil. he believes that II
should be done away with il possible, and
has for some time been looking up the
postal laws ON the subject. Section 531 of
the postal laws and regulations contains
the following:
Letters and packages addressed to fc-
titious persons and firms. to initials, or to
NO particular person or firm. unless adver-
tised to be delivered at a designated place
or a postofice box. street and number,
or 70 tho oara -f n 4orta;. na-caa - firm
within the delivery of the postoffice, arc
undeliverable. and must be sent to [
Dead Letter Office. unless the envelope
contains the card Of the sender OF a re-
quest to return. in which case the letter
ingly,;
believe that a street or number, designated
place or box. or address in care OF an
Quoting under a fictitious address corre-
~spondence forbidden circulation in the
mails, he should pr0 I'M report the fact
Assistant Postmaster-general and await
his instructions. giving notice at the, same
time and at the place where such letters
and packages have been received, that
pending instructions from the department,
the general delivery and secure it, where it
is the duty Of the postmaster 10 have il
placed and to deliver it TO Inc person call;
Mr.. Sahm, after a perusal Of the above
section forwarded a letter 70 the Post;
the conditions under which hundreds of let
ters are received daily at the general de-
livery window and asked to be enlight-
ened as to the correct Interpretation of the
section covering this department. He is
of the opinion that something can be Gone
to abate the annoyance, but will tas:e nc
further steps in the matter until he has
received Instructions from the department
at Washington.
1t is known that a number Of young
women receive mail at the general deliy-
cry window under fictitious names, and
that Uncle Sam should in this manner be
a party to clandestine improper meetings
and other dark affairs is not to the liking
of the postoffice officials. The general de-
livery is legitimately used, however, by a
large number of people. On Saturdays
many farmers come in for their mail and
get il at this window.