The Washington herald., 1909-05-23
THE GENERAL DELIVERY EVILS

possibly used for the discovery of tbs
haunt OF a pal and to lay bare plans
for some exploit Of burglary or safe
blowing.
II is a known fact. however. that
many a yeEgman has been caught BY
means OF the general delivery. and for
this reason that shTeWd gentry fight
shy OF IT and use IL only as a last rs-
sort. rarely calling for their letters il
person, but securing them perhaps
through a boy with an order for de-
livery. Sgeh are ire safeguards, how
ever, that the mission Of such a boy is
in these days 50 closely scanned that
the venture is full Of risk, and the use
-Of the windows by this class is not as
frequent as Of old.
The problem remains unSoIved as 70
how the last vestige Of abuse shall be
eliminated from the general delivery
Il has had the attention OF all post
Office authorities for years, and i
seems 20 be the opinion that al has
been done that Is possible. In other
years the private boxes were largely
used for iilegitimate purposes. but this
has been almost wholly halted by re-
! quiring satisfactory references from
every person who wishes 10 rent a box
The general delivery must i1nperativeIy
be maintained for a large number
which can get mail IN no other way
/ or for which It IS for many reasons
most convenient. but its abuse for clan
destine correspondence can only Be lin
/ tied and never abolished.
One Of the most insidious evils Il
/ this connection. but which is only IN
cidental. is the advantage taken OF the
Tree delivery by the professional black
/ f-z - -z~
/ IS 10 be feared IN this clandestine work.
Every city in the land. Pitts6urg not
excepted. has its multiple tales Of black
mailing, the inception Of which happened
/ in the lobbies Of post-ofices and in the
region OF the general delivery
An Expert Analyst.
! The professional who lives upon his
knowledge Of the social and domestic
mlsdemeanors Of men and women soon
comes 10 be one Of the most expert
analysts OF human action and express
sion He can tell al a glance II q man
OF woman. youth OF miss IS using the
1 general delivery for a purpose which,
lif made known, would blast their
! characters. OF. al least. place them n
a very uBcanny and uncomfortable
position. He singles out his intended
victims. follows them. learns where
they I've, their habits. their asSOCia-
I tons. and finally runs 10 earth the
other party TO the Clandestine core
tspondence. Instances have been cited
when they have wrenched letters from
the hands OF their quarry. well know
ing that no outcry would be made, and
one letter in such a scouTs1rei's posses
sion IS sufficient for his purpose.
Then the bleeding process begins
iGentle az first, perhaps. and as though
lons contribution would Be all Gradu-
laIly the demands grow more inststent.
threatening follows cunning wheedling
and there IS no end OF the matter Until
the victim Is squeezed dry financially OF
until. IN desperation, a clean confession
Is made 10 husband. wife. or other person
lraost nearly interested, and then the end
teomes for the bIackmailer, but also catss-
trophe for the victim
All OF these possibilities must be con-
sidered by the person who carries on a
clandestine correspondents through the
medium OF the general delivery, hoping
for a sensation. aiming possibly only az
"a temporary diversion or prosecuting
q Iaison TO the extreme To the person
Of any reputation. Of either sex. the
general delivery may seem 70 be safs
avenue for letters that must not be sent
elsewhere, but the chances are many 70
one that the practice viii lead 10 grief