The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1900-09-04
STAMPS IRAI WASHED
And Could Be Used Over are
a Back Number.
R0GUES ONCE THRIvED
Because of Bad Ink--Supplies
Buyers Rocky Road.

Washington, Aug s1.-several years ago
the collection of cancelled postage stamps
became quite a craze. Every clerk in an
Office where letters were received was be-
sieged by children and other persons of
the less busy sort with requests to save
the old stamps that came under his eye.
What anybody wanted with them was a
question answered rather vaguely. Ac-
facturer was buying them to stew off the
gum; another report was that rich man
with an invalid daughter was collecting
them by the millions as practical CHAR
ity, in order to distribute money in small
sums among people who were willing TO
work patiently for it. And there were
other explanations of the tremendous de-
mand for old stamps.
For some reason this demand has now
now practically ceased. At least depart
ment officials say that they hear little of
it and see no more Of the advertisements
in the newspapers for a million can
celled stamps which were once so plen-
tiful. They account for this falling off
by the introduction of a new cancelling
ing ink which makes the washing of the
stamps impossible It became known TO
the department several years ago that
the cancelled stamps could with skillful
handling be used again, and while 1t
would be unfair to charge that this was
the purpose back of the widespread de-
nand for old stamps, there is some rea-
son to suspect that it was related to it.
John A. Merritt who was postmaster at
Lockport, n. Y, and afterwards an as
sistant postmaster general, made some
Investigations about that time which sat
isfied him that the United States was not
receiving revenue on nearly the full
amount of matter transmitted through
the mails exclusive of that covered by
the franking privilege).
Henry Clay Evans. at one time an as
sistant postmaster general and now
commissioner of pensions, brought to the
attention of the department in the early
days of his administration some curious
facts in this line which had come under
his observation 1t esems that the cancel
ling ink then used became very had when
dry, almost like asphalt, on the pads; and
postnrasters in the small offices had fallen
into the habit OF reducing it with oil,
which dilution, when carried far enough,
left stencilling compound that could be
easily removed.
One of the first things that the new su-
perintendent of postoff1ce supplies did was
to investigate the cancelling ink. He
called for samples from various manufac-
turers. which were submitted to the chem
ical division Of the agricultural depart
ment for trial. At last an ink was found
which met all the diverse requirements Of
the postal service, and that is now in use.
What also helped to provoke the ipvesti-
CATION was the illegible character of the
postmarking. It had become so bad that
complaints were pouring in from every
side. Oftentmes a postmark is a very
important bit of testimony in legal pro-
ceedings, while the ordinary advantages
of the distinct impression are manifest.
! The bad ink had so demoralized the SER
vice that many postmasters were neglect
ing to put in the year on the stamp, and
were sometimes emitting other important
facts. Some of the smaller offices used
vised, and the postmarking put on so cue
cessfIl a basis that no fewer than five
foreign countries have made application
/ to our department for information as to
our methods. The clearness of our post
marks and the thoroughness Of the can
collation. had attracted their attention.
( 1t is a singular fact, however, that wEile
/ the new system is giving so much salts
faction to postoffice patrons, it he's reen
( a great source Of unpopularity for the su-
perintendent of supplies who introduced
/ it. He has been attacked ever since by
the contractors who lost the job Of sup
plying the old ink
This illustrates the difficulties which a
man who purchases government supplies
necessarily encounters. The more steTnly
ne stands up for the governments rights,
the more enemies he makes. and conse-
quenuy arouses great political pressure
for his removal. 1t is a notable fact that
in the division of postoffice supplies.
which requires pre-eminently experience
and training, no superintendent has been
! kept in Office for more than four years.
! Whenever a change in administra ton
comes a dead set" is made against him
by those who have failed to sell supplies.
By a recent order of the postmaster
/ general eliminating the brokers from com
petition, and confining the bidding to the
bona hde manufacturers and dealers. some
improvement has doubtless been made.
Al old practice grew up on the part OF
local bidders Of submitting samples. with
bids. on all sorts OF government supplies,
relying. in case of acceptance. upon be
ing able 10 buy in the open market an
article somewhat inferior to their sample
bur by political influence. or good fellow
snip, OF both. 70 succeed in getting il
passed by the department.
tsOvsraor Lesiie's Wife Dies.
Helena Mont. Sept. 9.-Mrs. P. r. Les
uedisd today al al advanced age. She
was = = wife Of Governor Leslie Wha