The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1904-10-20
FINDS IN WASTE BASKETS.
secret Documents OF State and Other
Papers OF Value Often Discovered.
From the Washin ofon Posf.

From the Wdshin oton Post.
James A. Wineberger. the pioneer OF th'
book and stationery business on + street
has accumulated some valuable historical
documents autograph letters. and sigma.
lures of distinguished men In a peculiar
manner. Mr.. Wineberger for many years
made a practice OF buying certain portions
of the Government waste paper especially
that from the State Department. The ac-
cumulatio of waste paper in a Government
Department IL very large. amounting In one
Department alone to several hundred tons
a gear. OF course. 1t would be only very
small part of this debris that the stationer
would purchase. but so judiciously were his
selections made that often treasures were
sifted out of the waste.
4 notable illustration Of this is Afforded
by the fact that Mr.. WneberGer has recently
offered to the Secretary OF State document
involving secret correspondence with two
South American republics regarding con-
fiot between the latter. This important
paper together with other valuable manu-
script matter. was found in the waste paper
from the state Department many years ago.
At that period James Waters was a well
known contractor for the disposal OF Govern
mart Departmental waste paper. and 1t was
from him that Mr. Wineberger made his
purchases.
II Ia affirmed that at least one prominent
second hand book dealer in this city buys
quantities OF the contents OF Uncle Sam 8
waste paper baskets. often containing old
discarded records. obtaining thus some
valuable material from the manuscript col
lectors point of view
Among autographs MIR. Wineberger num-
bers those of WillamWirt once Attorney-Gen-
eral OF the United States, famous as lawyer.
orator, and literary man. Daniel Webster.
Henry Clay and many others Of historic
note.
at sometimes happens. said the GUS
todian Of one Of the large Government de-
partments 1T is the custodian who has charge
Of the waste paper until II passes into the hands
of the private contractor at the regular auc-
ton sales of discarded materially, that val
liable documents and records are missed
and are ascertained, with reasonable GER
tainty, to have become mixed with the waste.
II the contractors have not disposed OF their
purchase 10 the paper mills throughout the
country. as they usually do with the great
bulk, a search is Immediately instituted.
involving q vast amount OF labor in going over
the contents Of the myriads Of tightly pa cked
bags with in all likelihood futile result
In England much greater care is exercised
in the disposal OF waste paper of the Govern
ment Offices. the process Of utilization at
the paper mill being overseen by a stationery
office Official When the contemplated Office
Of records in this city Ia completed, great
facilities will be afforded for a more careful
handling Of public documents.
The application and examination papers
Of the civil Service Commission are not dis
posed Of by sale, as are other condemned
Government papers. but are burned at the
crematory in this city, being carefully guarded
from perusal by any outside person. The
reason for this Is said to be q desire to
prevent the results Of examinations from
being known to any party but the applicants
themselves. These documents. with the
peculiar markings of the commission. are
involved in deeper and profouuder mystery,
perhaps. than any others passing through
Government hands.