New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-02-28
H.
A3cn.ns.r. St.
Winton Bicycles are guar
anteed.
The Winton is a Winner.
Ballard Rubber CO.
MAIL SERVICE ABUSES.
SENATOR WOICOTT TAKES A HAND IN
THE FIGHT AGAINST ABSURD
PRACTICES.
GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AS WELL AS CON
GREssMEN FRANK TONS OF MATTER
WHICH SHOULD BE FOR
WARDED BY FREIGHT
rBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRTBuNE.l

fBY TELEGRAPH THE TRTBuNEl
Washington Feb 27-Abuses OF the ranking
privilege said to be at present worse In character
and extent than ever previously IN the history Oh
the Government. In former times the abuses winch
caused scandal and excited protests from all parts
OF the country. and led to the summary ABOLISH
ment OF ranking. mainly confined to misuse
OF the malls by Congressman and their assistants
in the Transmission Of personal effects SUCH as
clothing boots. shoes. etc. from their homes 10
the National Capital. and vice versa ana occasIoh-
ally for the free transmission OF printed matter
which was not legitImately entitled TO pass free
under franks OF members. But the abuses OF the
present day are far more extensive and OF char-
acter vastly more expensive to the Government
than ever before known And the worst OF these
are practisel not by congressman but by eXecu-
tive departments at Washington, although IL Is
fact that there recently passed through the man OF
the House Of Representatives a bundle OF freshly
Numbered shirts. which garments are supposed 10
have been the property Of a Congressman who had
1T to cheat the aundr!es al the National CAPT.
tai by patronizing OF the great establishments
In New-York State 10 and from which latter. un-
der an over liberal Interpretation OF the ranking
privilege. the shirts could be transported Tree Vi
cost in Uncle Sans malls strictly high-cIass
Government maj! matter.
Particular attention 70 the most extensive or the
abuses has just been called by the Senate Commit
In by Senator wolco;t. the object Of which Is to
put A stop to what Mr. Wolcott denounces as prac-
tees grossly violation Of the intendment OF the
statute" 1t has been shown to the Senate commit
tee that source OF embarrassment 10 me Pos'a'
authorities has been the custom OF departments OF
the Government at Washington to send by man
large and bulky articles. such as heavy roi-top
desks carpets. trunks. boxes. camp outhts. COM
prsing saddles blankets. harness etc. under cover
OF the official penalty label for transportation at
the expense OF the Postoffice Department The or
nc,als Of the latter Department protested against
the 'burdening OF the malls with articles OF thls
nature. which can in no sense be properly regard
81 legislative mail matter.
The expenses Of the Government are immensely
Increased by sending such matter by mail Instead
NJ forwsrding Il by express freight. The com
pcnsation OF railroad companies for mail service IL
based on weight OF mail carried Ihe weights are
scertained by actual weighing FOR certain peF'ods
The weights carried during these periods determine
the nay for the contract term. usually four years
Heavy packages sent over line Of road during the
Weighing period would add 10 the cost OF mail ser
vice not for the trip. but for every trip during
the entire term Of four years. While there mght Do
IN the Of freight express slight increase III
the appropriation FOR whatever department or pu-
roam forwarded the matter II would be trihing com
,sr.d with the charge 1t would make 10 the
auuropriation for the mail service. Under existing
statutes il g. lawful 10 transmit through the mail
fr.. u postage any letters. packages or other mat
ter relating exclusively 70 the business OF ,he ',VN
.r,tn,.nt Of the United States" but the fostoince
l,.na-.rncut and the Senate Committee thlnk ms
v-as Intended TO refer 20 such letters ana phckaSts
NJ. ar ordinarily regarded mall matter ana that u
never contemplated the buricning Of me mails ana
m. Expenditures Of the Posto!fce Depar tnent with
shiurucug OF heavy packages which wouId oth'r"iSe
be sent by freight or express
tn. Postmaster at Washington. IN an oln'lal re-
mort ma kes plain the magnitude 10 which the gross
Violation o., the ntcndment Of the statute Is carried
on Postmaster Niirtt says; -,
MANY typewriicr-. with stands. are sent me
Stationery divisions Of the Treatpr and Interior de
nartm.nts send all their supplies OK INK. mucliat"'
,c for All outside Offices attached 10 those drpart
ru.nts II Il not an extraordinary thlhg 10 nav
cases delivered by the Treasury department 70 ms
III. weighing a. much l3D or Loo pounds, ana
som. hay. mad t. l." returned for the reason that
ralaav postal car The Treasury dispatches al ils
internal revenue stamps through this ONCE Ihclr
weight is estimated AT about 800 tons per aihun
The carpets shipped from the Treasury are no, IN
~. ordinary rolls they come from the factories
buf are cut and made here for the rooms or the pun
he buildings throughout the country. Congressman
send many chests Weighing. say 100 pounds, paylns
ON each The registry fee Of eight cents Al me
foregoing matter Is dispatched by registered man!
f1r the reason that the receipts from addresses car
only b.. obtained by that system. For rdnSlHlSsion
I'm me ordinary mail this office continues 70 receive
from some OF the Executive Departments SACKS con-
,alnng flags FOR custom houses ana observers az
signal s,ations occasionally bedding and tent EQUIP
rncnis for surveying parties. and boxes coh'ai'"s
locks FOR Internal revenue collectors