The Washington times., 1906-10-04
De GRAN EXPLAINS
POSTOFFICE WORK
Letter to National AsSocia-
ton of POStmaSters Meet
ing in St. Louis.
DEAD LETTER DEPARTMENT
During Fiscal Year Nearly Eleven and
Three-fOuTths Million Pieces
Were Handled.

ST. LOUIS. Oct. AT the convention
Of the National Association of Post
masters today. Postmaster A. W. wills.
OF Nashville. Tenn. president of the as
s0ciation, submitted a Letter from As
sistanL Postmaster General De GTaW
explaining the methods used and some
of the difficulties encountered in the
furnishing OF supplies 10 post0ffices and
the handling of unbelievable mail mat
ter by the POstonICe Department. Mr.
De Graw states that the furnishing of
supplies 10 postmasters is now cOnsOli-
dated under one division. and that while
this new. method resulted at first in
some confusion and delay. the advan-
tages OF the Improvements inaugUrated
VIII soon be apparent
The letter states that the work of
opening and disposing of dead" let
ters and packages is in better condition
than ever before, and during the ascal
year ended June 80 last. there were re-
ceived and disposed OF in the dead let
ter division nearly eleven and three
fOurths million pieces OF such matter In
which was found over s6l,c00 in actual
money. drafts, checks, etc, OF the face
value of SLS95,945. thereby preventing
losses Of letters and valuables.
Mr.. De Graw's Letter.
The text OF the letter follows:
Col A. ". Wills. President National
Association OF POsImasJers.
Ny Dear Sir. j appreciate very much
your most cordial letter of the 18th
instant urging me 10 attend the con-
VeutiOu Of the National Association of
POstmasteTs. 10 be held at ST. Louis,
October 8. {. and o. 1 regret exceed
ingly that engagements which cannot
be deferred make IL lmpractlcable for
me 10 be absent from Washington dur
ing the month Of October and assure
you that under other conditions il
would afford me great pleasure TO be
with you. and incidentally 20 take adj
vantage OF my presence IN ST. Louis
10 renew many old friendships.
In view Of my inability 10 comply
with your wishes, l cannot refrain
from asking you 10 present 10 the
pOSLmaSters- in convention assembled my
best wishes for a most successful and
mutually beneficial meeting.
In the hope of being able to solve
any problems which may arise duTing
the deliberations of the convention, and
10 explain in detail the methods which
are being applied for the successful
administration of those branches of
the postal service intrusted 10 this
bureau, i have arranged for cur Mr.
SgLman, superintendent OF rural de-
livery. 10 attend your convention. Mr.. I
Srilman VIII be especially prepared TO
address the postmaster on the subject
OF rural delivery. and viii answer any
inquiries which the delegates may de-
sire To make
In addition TO the division Of rural /
delivery, there are other impOrtant 4
divisions uudrr the Jurisdiction OF the 4
bureau Of the Fourth Assistant Post
master General and respecting these /
namely. the division of supplies and /
the division of dead letters j desire !
10 submit brief statement 10 the post (
masters.
Division Of Supplies.
on the subject Of supplies, il is proper /
for me TO say that efforts are being 1
made with all possible dispatch TO 1
PUT this division on a more satisfac- /
tory basis, in order to obvIate entirely /
all complaints and criticism from post /
masters on account OF delay in filling /
acquisitions.
The recent consolidation and transfer /
TO the Fourth Assistant Postmaster /
General of all supplies formerly handled /