The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-03-14
AROUND THE CORRIDORS.

Frank Butler, an ex-mail clerk, who spent
many years in the postal service, but who now
takes life easy on little ranch which he owns
in the southern part of the State, was at the
Grand yesterday, and in discussing various
phases of q mail clerks experiences incident
ally referred to late order issued by the Post
master-General revoking all railroad passes
held by mail clerks except on the divisions on
which they run while on duty. 'This order
also provides that all mail clerks must live on
the line of the road or division on which they
run, said MIR. Butler, land this will do away
with the system of deadheading from the place
OF residence to the towns between which the
men run. Hitherto it has long been the GUS
tom for mail clerks to live where ii best suited
them. For instance, mail clerk having run
from San Francisco into Nevada or to Ogden
might live in Los Angeles, and his pass would
have been good for a trip to his home at any
time. For some time past new men who have
made application to take the civil service ex-
animation have been obliged to make an agree
ment that they would live on the division of
the road assigned to them as a run. The mat
ter was brought before Congress some weeks
ago, and that body repudiated the order of the
Postmaster-General, and a bill was passed
which explicitly stated that the postal clerks
should not be compelled to take up their resi-
dence on the line of the road. In order to Cir
cumvent this law the order first mentioned has
been issued by the Postmaster-General."
The force of clerks, private watchmen and
other attaches OF the Palace are required to be
constantly on the alert to foil the efforts made
every day by 'disreputable people who seek to
gain access to the upper floors, loiter about the
corridors or obtain the location OF certain
rooms in the great hotel building. The long
passageway leading from Market street
through to the rear of the edifce is, through
the courtesy of the hotel management open to
the public, and is used by many persons who
have business in the branch postoffice located
in the rear. This privilege gives the "trail-
ers," who seek the acquaintance OF male guests.
opportunities which the hotel detectives find it
difficult at times to overcome. The hotel reg
lister is the object of solicitous attention from
these social vampires. Frequently a we'll
dressed woman will accost clerk with the in
quiry "Will you kindly inform me what room
Mr.. So and So has?" An in1exible rule of the
house prohibits giving out the numbers OF
rooms of guests to strangers, and the invarable
answer to such question is suggestion that
the inquirer send up card. The clerks of the
hotel look with suspicion upon all letters ad-
dressed to male guests in a feminine hand, and
nine-tenths of the missives of this character
are delivered to the guest over the counter in
stead of being sent to his room.
r. II. Logan, a gentleman who is largely in
terested in mining properties both in this State
and Nevada, is at the Lick. He says that pros
pectors who are possessed of means are con-
stantly looking for opportunities TO undertake
the development of any kind of mineral or
vegetable deposit nowadays, and that gold and
silver are not looked upon as the only promis-
ing treasures concealed in the bosom of mother
earth. Gin Lyon County, New" said he, t'there
is a very extensive deposit of gypsum, which
has been located and relocated time and again.
Aside from load OF two taken out at inter-
walls, however, it has never been worked until
recently, but now several enterprising gentle
men have taken hold of the property and pro-
pose to see if there is not money in it. They
have within the past few weeks shipped a
couple of carloads of the gypsum to this city
is said to be the finest material of the kind to
be found anywhere"
General Wesley Merritt, who is at the Palace
with his two daughters, is noted character in
military circles. He is a graduate OF West
Point, and in 1882 was placed in command of
During the war he was conspicuous in a num-
Der of engagements. When General Stoneman
made his celebrated raid toward Richmond in
1863 General Merritt, who was then a captain,
bore a prominent part in the campaign. For
gallant and meritorious services during the
battle of Gettysburg he received promotion and
in March, 1865, he was brevetted brigadier-
general and ma jor-general in the egular army
for bravery at the battle OF Five Forks and his
services during the final Virginia campaign.