New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-03-18
MEN WITH "PROJECTS" AROUSED.
POSTMASTER WILLETTSS COMBINATION
WEATHER AND NAIL PLAN STARTS
THE TNGENIOI-S To THINKING

II reports be true. Postmaster Willctts, Of Wash
lngton. u. g.. has conceived project which Is 10
prove a priceesss boon to that portion of humanity
claiming residence within the boundary Lines or
Uncle Sans territory IN that every person receiv-
ing q letter at any Of the postoices Of the United
States Government Will receive at the same time an
authentic prediction and forecast Of the weather
stamped on the envelope hy the authority OF the
Postoiiicc Department. Postmaster Wetts's plan
Is TO adj an outer ring 10 what IS known as the
back stamp" in al all postofices to denote the
date and hour Of arrival. This Of course. VIII make
a pretty gool-slzcd stamp. but there VIII stu re-
main small space on he back Of envelopes which
may be- used for other projects Of similar nature
and value. This is no joke. 1t is understood that
the subject IS receiving serious consideration from
tho Department at Washington.
Now that the secret is out there arc thousands or
busy and inventive minds a; work throughout the
country developing projects" which, when stamped
upon the millions OF letters daily delivered in this
country. shall prove OF lnes,imable value TO man
kind Inasmuch religious notices are used on
the coin Of the Nation. several societies are AZ work
designing appropriate notices for Christian homes
which they desire to have stamped in the corner OF
every cnvelopc Dlcietic clubs are engaged in pre-
pairing daily bills OF fare which shall be stamped
on envelopes In some neat design. and which when
scattered broadcast throughout the land In this In
expensive manner. shall bring dazzling rays OF hope
70 thousands Of languishing dyspcpucs. And as for
advertising arenciesi Well all that can be said IL
that this fraternity since Mr. Wetts's 'project'
has been made public has grown Old In few nights
figuring up the profits little projects which they
will shortly spring the Department at Washing
ton In fact. IL IS To- the workers In the fields
OF advertising that Mr.. Willettss project comes
Ike ray OF light to those cropping in the dark.
Like all great devices for the amclioration Of hui
man cares and worries. there are those who ques-
tion the advantages Of the new project" Here
Is what one dsgruntleI individual says in regard to
tho subject: Weather forecasts envelopes!
Great Scott, What next? Why this weather busl-
ness costs the Government now nearly million
v.ar Where is the man who wants to know more
about the weather than he gets every day under eX-
is,ing conditions? Every daily paper In the land
rubIshes the weather predictions Every little ham,
H., ,hroughout the length and breadth OF this land
r.cs,vrs daily reports from the weather bureaus.
Flagpoes in thousands of towns f'aunt to the oreeze
dozen local weather prophets OF established repu-
tat!on. Every farmer In the country Is weather
prophet Of himself. In conclusion. say Great
Al the Postofnce yesterday afternoon no one cared
to talk the subject in an Official capaeity Mne;
however personal Views were solicited the proleSt
wac treated In a humorous mood. and broad smiles
ulurnined the faces OF those In charge OF Uncle
,,n"er's office Il was given that nothing def
mite had been heard from Washington In regard 10
the subject The advice Of the New, York office
had not been solicited. and 1t was left to be in
fcrred that had this office been consulted little more
OF the project" would have been h h tho
proposed stamp was shown around to the great
interest and amusement OF al space uoes i no,
forth by the innocent device In the mailing de-
partment IL was said that 1t was impracticahle to
device was adopted by the Postal Department. at
Washington there was no DOUBT that IL T Touin d., De
terested in the weather Will do we'll to watch their
mall.