Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-11-24
Red Tape Stays Succor
as Revolutionists Plumber
Special Correspondence of The Star.


ST. PETERSBURG, November 16, 1907.
n ED TAPE is the bane of official life
X in all countries, but Russia can
now lay claim to the prize, If there
is one, for the worst red tape blunder in
all the world
The facts have been tod me by a man
who knows. 1t was scarce more than a
fortnight ago. The scene was a govern
ment post office on the outskirts.
1t was a wet day and noon was striking
on the clocks. The clerks were just about
to start off in relays for their dinners.
Customers had all departed. Suddenly a
score of men walked quietly into the
place. They were armed to the teeth. A
few closed the doors. others stationed
themselves at the windows, while the re-
mainder, with revoiveTS cooked, marched
behind the ratings ard forced all the gov
eminent employees into one corner, where
they were compelled to stand with hands
held up.
The gang of men were revolutionsts.
The leaders. secured the keys and opened
all the safes and drawers and cupboards.
While they were all busy counting the
money. searching for more or guarding
the prisoners, little girl, Olga Majimo-
vitvh, crept silently into the back. She
was telegraphist, and. unobserved, man.
aged to reach one of the instruments con-
nected with the general post Office. With
one hand she held down the sounder SO
that the telegraph worked silently. With
the other she worked the key. Frantical-
ly she called the central office. Had she
been observed the revolutionists would i'm
mediately have blown her brains out.
But they were busy rifiing the registered
mail and transferring all the vaiuables to
small sacks, which they had brought with
them. s,........
- Olga @Majimovitvh felt. rather than
heard, the answering signal of the main
Office. Hurriedly she sent the message:
Bandits are in possession of Bureau y.
Send help at once! Be quick! They have
opened the safes and are rrfiing the reg
istered mail. There are twenty men. We
are all prisoners. Quick, for the love Of
Gud!'
She repeated the message and then stole
silently away to the security of the cloak
room. There she waited with bated
breath and beating heart for the sound
Of the coming of the police and soldiers.
But there was no rush of feet, no fierce
commands. no sounds of shooting. The
minutes passed and at twenty minutes
past noon. the band of revolutionists UNI
barred the doors, stole out with their
plunder and disappeared. They had TAX
en- something over 5000.
For a few minutes the employees were
still too dazed to do anything but herd
together. Then Olga rushed froaa her
hiding place and told them of what she
had done. The employees praised her,
kissed her, wept over her for her brav-
cry. They still feared the bandits were
lurking outside and prayed for the arr
rival of the police.
They were still wondering at the nom
arrival of help when the telegraph in
strument began calling Bureau ~. The
chief clerk hurried to the instrument. He
responded to the signal and the receiving
apparatus began ticking of message.
When it finished the stunned chief tore
off the tape and handed 1t to his en-
ployes.
The message was from the prefecture
of police. 1t read:
IF you really desire assistance will you
please employ the official formula usual
In such cases."