Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-12-09
GIeaninqs in Washington.

An interesting incident happened the
other day in one of the ofYices Of the
Third Assistant Postmaster General.
A clercial-looking gentleman. with
tears in his eyes, thus addressed one Of
Gen. Maddens assistants:
Are you a Christian WORKER"
Not very" replied the assistant;
but you are. and for that reason your
paper has been excluded from the
second-class rates." .ts
Such, in fact, was the case. This
was the president Of Western concern
which has been publishing religious
weekly. The publishers claimed to
have circulation Of $4,000; a claim
which the Department believes to be
without foundation. But it was the
plan to which the publishers resorted
to secure showing of circulation that
resulted in the ban of the Department.
Not long ago the concern sent out Co.
600 letters to country people in almost
every State in the Union. They were
presented with a sample copy of the
paper and a two months subscription.
In most cases no attention was paid to
the communication. But in the course
of a month or six weeks all these peO.
pie began to get letters asking why
they had not forwarded the price OF
their subscription. II they paid no at
tention to this. they received letters OF
a more vigorous character.d 1t was i'm
piled that the debt had been put in the
hands of an attorney for collection;
other letters advised the recipient to
pay the money and save trouble. They
were finally told they could secure a
beautiful Bible for 90 cents, which
transaction would be accepted by the
company as a payment in full. Some
submitted. but others wrote the postal
authorities praying to be delivered from
these devices. s
Nearly all members OF Congress keep
scrap-books. Even Mark Hanna has a
full set of all these pictures Of himself.
way. quite different from the earlier
pages. CONGRESSMAN Loud, who appar-
emily Is oblivious of all that Is said OF
him as anybody, keeps complete scrap
book. For the period Of time 1t covers.
the largest scrap-boOk is one kept by
Senator Beverages private secretary. IL
has already reached two large volumes.
numbering $50 pages each. and taking
Beveridge, in spite of his youth and short
term of public life. Is one of the best
men to-day before the public.
During the last year the government
has saved $4,000 by the substitution Of
small metallic clip in place of rubber
bands in the handling OF registered mail.
Mr.. Michelangelo w. Louis Of the supply
division made. up his mind a year ago
that 1t was extravagant to issue rubber
bands for that purpose. and told the
pOstmasters he would give them the clips
instead. There was a protest, but Louis
was firm. They did not get the bands.
and the books at the end Of the fiscal
year showed the above sum TO ths
good; this reveals something of che
proportions of the postal establishment !.
The Geological Survey has reports OF
hardships4 suffered BY a.
party Of EMPLOYERS and topOgraphers now
In Alaska. Writing from KOchatao
River, MT. Brooks says that while cutting
their way through thirty miles OF al
most impenetrable swamp their horses,
though blanketed day and night. were 80
severely bitten by mosquitoes and horse
flies that some had to be shot. The cou1-
try is reported to have all the indications
of q gold bearing region, and gravel ~
found 1000 feet above the level OF the
sea.
NJ o. Leighton of the Geological Sur.
vey has been authorized to begin q study
Of the running streams of the Middle
West, with a view Of determining
whether polluted water will purify II.
self in traversing a given distance. On
account of the Chicago drainage Canal
this question has been brought homo 10
the peOple Of Illinois and Missouri.