The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1907-01-29
Much Easier to Drop One in Than
to Set it Out
RED TAPE IS 4 NECESSARY EVIL
UNCLE SAM MUST GUARD PRlvA.
cY OF MAIL FROM THE UN.
SCRUPULOUS.


corridor of the local postoffice in front
of the outgoing mail boxes. Il have
dropped a letter into the box which
did not intend to mail. What shall
do?"
Fred Brunton. the registry clerk.
and directed the woman where to APP
DIV to withdraw her letter, but by the
time she had received it she was con-
vinced that it is much simpler
matter to drop a letter into a street
mail box or into the postoffice than it
is to get it out.
1T is true" said one of the postal
officials, that there is much red tape
connected with withdrawing a letter
from the mails, but were such not the
case the public would not have the
protection the mails now afford and
designing persons would endeavor to
obtain possession of pieces of mail
which did not belong to them, and con-
corning which they might have had
previous information as to their val
liable contents.
There Is Way.
There is a way to withdraw mail
matter after it has been deposited in
the postoffice, and even after it has
been dispatched on the way to it's des-
tination. Postmasters are held re-
sponsible for the improper withdrawal
of mail matter and its delivery to any
person not entitled to it. and cOnse-
quently they are required to exercise
the greatest care in the matter. The
mail must not be delayed or the bust
ness of the office retarded in order to
search for mail matter desired to be
withdrawn.
In case in which a letter has
just been dropped into the box at the
Office here it would be caught up at
once either at the receiving table or
the dispatching case. The first thing
to be done in any case is for the post
master to ascertain whether or not the
person desiring the letter is entitled
to it. The applicant should be required
if necessary, to exhibit written adj
dress in the same hand as that which
appears upon the letter wanted and
such description Of the matter or other
evidence as will justify the postmaster
in delivering the mail sought to be
withdrawn.
I'm the case Of a stranger the post
master would require much stronger
evidence than in the case of a patron
of the office who was personally known
to him. A we'll known business or pro-
fessional man, for instance, would be
able to make a quick and satisfactory
Identification. When it comes to stop
ping letter in transit much more
difficult problem is presented to both
the postmaster and the patron. The
one who sends the mali and afterward
desires it's return before it has reached
its destination as shown by the adj
dress. must make application at the
office of mailing, stating his reasons
for the request. The piece of mail
must be identified and the application
accompanied by the proper proof in
writing and a sum deposited with the
postmaster sufficient to cover all the
expenses incurred.
Teleoraphs REQUEST
When this application is made in
due form. and the form is somewhat
lengthy and is prescribed by the de-
partment, the postmaster at the mail
ing office will telegraph a request to
the postmaster at the office of ad-
dress or to a railway postal clerk in
whose custody the matter is known
at the time to be, for the return of
that particular piece to the mailing
office. A careful description is sent,
SO that Identification is positive, to
prevent the return of any other piece
of mail instead.
Upon receipt of the telegram the
postmaster or postal clerk to whom
it is sent returns the desired letter to
the mailing Office in a penalty en-
velope. This is delivered to the send
er upon payment of all expenses and
the payment of the regular rate of
postage upon the matter returned.
I'm the case of registered mail and
mail intended for foreign parts the
same general practice is followed on
ly with greater safeguards and COM
plications, the protection of the pub
lie Icing the first consideration from
the initial to the final step