The Washington herald., 1907-06-10


in the amounts sent annually to the va
rious foreign countries has been so great
during the last FIVE years that to esti-
mate what the grand total will amount
TO in the next ten years staggers the inn
agination.
In the fiscal year 19O0-19O1 Austria re-
ceived from the United States IN the form
Of money orders. payable in that coun-
try. $685. crowns, in 1905-l905 that coun-
try received 26,2O7, 493 crowns, an IN
crease Of 800 per cent. Hungary in the
year first mentioned, received 4,'oS."S
crowns. and in the year last mentioned
1854, 535 crowns, an increase Of 80 per
cent. Italy received 7,7O3,42s francs, as
against 67.975.963. an increase off rs per
cent. Japan received $4,000 against 8
$3.50. an increase Of 2S6 per cent.
The bulk Of the money sent 10 foreign
countries in money orders represents thu
savings made by immigrants during the
first few years Of their residence in this
country, before they became naturallzed
and begin 10 invest their excess earnings
here During last December fifty extra
clerks were employed In New York 10
handle the Christmas money orders sent
10 foreign countries and il was not until
a month after Christmas that normal
conditions were restored I'm the money
order department Of the post-office. For
the month the number Of money orders
was more than twice the average number
for the eleven preceding months.
The lingusts employed in the POst-Ofice
Department al Washington encounter no
little trouble in solving problems sub
mitted TO them when money orders go
astray, or cannot be paid. because Of
errors in addresses. For a long time end
less confusion arose from the refusal Of
Croatians TO address their money orders
to Hungarian cities. Croatia was assigned
70 the Kingdom Of Austria some time
ago, but natives Of the province dislike
10 be called HUngarians, and decline 10
send their home letters anywhere but
20 Austria. Each Of the governments went
through q great deal of red tape 10 secure
the delivery Of these letters until the
Austro- Hungarian government finally de-
cided that il was not Uncle Sans duty
to spend time and money taking care Of
mail which CrOatian patriots misdireCted
and made an arrangement by which such
mistakes are corrected at the other end
Of the line.
A money order from A Southern Euro
pean country was recently directed to
woman with three unpronounceablen names
al HilIsdale. Ky. In due time it found its
way TO Washington, with the informa-
ton that the woman addressed did not re-
side in Hillsdale. The letter was held I'M
til IL was found that it was intended for
Hillsdale Greg, just outside of Portland.
a Frenchman In Washington, d. c., re-
Gently received a money order addressed
20 him in Washington, L. 6. A" As
there are thirty-seven Washingtons I'm the
United States. he was compelled to wait
until the money order came back from
Europe with the ID. c." attached.
A Russian living in Washington recently
sent to his wife IN Russia money order
for thirty-fOur rubles. After a time he
appeared at the Post-office Department
fairly foaming with rage. His wife had
informed him that the amount of money
delivered TO her was three rubles and
ninety-eight kopecks less than the amount
he had sent. He firmly believed that
some employees in the Washington office
had pocketed the three rubles and ninety
eight kopecks, and felt no delicacy about
making the charge His English was
worse than the little Russian at the com
mand Of the best linguist I'm the office, but
after an hour or so he was convinced that
if he had been robbed the United States
would reimburse him. The matter was
IL Il
traced down to a small village in the in
terror Of Russia. where II was found that
the woman had receipted for the full
amount. She had written the letter to
her husband IN the hope Of squeezing
few more rubles out Of him. having no
idea that the letter would involve two
great powers in correspondence and put
them both 20 considerable expense.
An Italian tight-rOpe walker performing
in this country rushed into the money
order department in Washington and de-
Clared that he had been defrauded. He
had been told that he could send money
directly to his wife in Southern Italy. He
had sent $50 from Buffalo. giving his wife's
maiden name and the name Of her father
btAL li4lltlllH 10 iit.llDu the TACT tnat she
was a married woman. whereupon the
Italian post-offlce refused to make psv-
ment. It was explained &c him that. al
though It was customary in Italy To
address a married woman by her maiden
name, the husbands name must be given
before a money order could be paid. He
thereup0n demanded that the $50 be
turned over to him at once. He was 90
ing 10 Italy and would carry the money
in his pocket After further discussion
he was made 10 understand that the form
Of settlement suggested was impractical
BILE. With the bow Of a cOmic-opera star.
and elaborate compliments to the young
woman who won his heart by talking to
him in his native tongue he expressed
himself as being satisfied. and invited the
entire force 20 attend his show
Another Italian sent $50 TO his wife
Francesca in a small italian city. The
postmaster who wrote the money order
for him wrote the name Francesca" and
his father received the money. Upon re-
ceipt Of a letter from his wife. the Italian
demanded that the amount be paid to
her Rome and Washington were soon in