The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-02-06
III. CITIES IN UNITED
STATES TO AID INQUIRY
,stmaster Morgan of New York Is
Most Active In This Work and Is
Receiving Help From the Gov
ernment Postal Department

arching national crusade to wipe from
ncie Sans name the odium of being
unwilling alder and abettor of crime
being carried on in the larger cities
the United States, particularly in New
1rk and Chicago, under direction of the
stoffice department at Washington In
stigations started here three months
30 by Postmaster Morgan at the insti-
ton of the Postmaster General Of the
xhited States have unearthed appalling
ndffions and today men high in the
stal service united In declaring that
striction of the most rigid kind would
We to be put upon the general delivery
ivate letter boxes to stop the increase
vice, fraud and lesser outlawry fos-
red by the system.
Falling under the ban of the postal
thorities are clandestine correspondence
tween men and women which usually
suit in divorce or in the degradation
womanhood; the sending of obscene
after through the mails; the advertis-
3 of fake business ventures and stocks
catch the unwary the transmission
anarchistic literature and the carrying
letters under fictitious addresses
lich often battle public officials in their
arches for criminals and fugitives from
stice. 1t is claimed that the white
I've traffic has been protected by this
mi-underground method of communica-
| 5n and the catch-penny matrimonial
hemes vaunted through the United
Ates mail are far too fragrant to re-
ire comment While New York seems
thisk particular time to be the center
thel investigation the inspection of the
#aracter of malls handled in the general
Elivery system and the private boxes of
Ices Is being quietly prosecuted in other
X cities In all parts of the country, for
Is impossible to end the unlawful prac-
| e In one city without stamping It out
every other center.
Postmaster Morgan's Views
Discussing the crusade today Postmas-
Morgan said:
The investigation which was started
| rec months ago into the system has
Isnvinced us that a strict surweillance
ght to be kept upon the general de-
cry patrons and upon the postoffice
TX holders for 1t would be impossible
do. away with the system. But every
srt possible is haing exerted to dis
urage the receipt of mail through the
neral delivery.
The chief reason for discouraging the
neral delivery feature in city postofflces
in the possibility It affords for carry
on frauds and for aiding immoral pur-
ses. Even with our small number of
neral delivery patrons here in New
rk, the possibility Is such that condi-
ms made imperative an investigation
lich was started three months ago. The
Ices under inquiry are where persons
any noticeable period called for mail
tead of having 1t sent.
1.-THE evil possibilities greatly outweigh
b good. The postoffice department
ild be made satisfactory and successful
thout this feature, as it might, under,
ne circumstances, be wise to abolish
,m altogether. OF course, mail boxes
maintained here and at the branch
. but only for business houses.
eDrummond's Experiences
ormer Secret Service Chief Drummond,
| ho has made a thorough study OF the
I'stoffice and its relations to crime, said:
|t is true criminals and immoral per-
ias find the postoffice good aid. The
,aler In bogus money. the fellow who
| Inds by mail box of grease as a medi-
| remedy, the art collector who offers
send a steel engraved portrait of
ashington for 80 cents and sends a
stage stamp, and all that sort, get in
|ich with their victims through the
| bills. The chap who wants to arrange
.setings with some other fellows wife
rarably makes use OF either the general
.livery or a private letter box. But, on
, other hand, the postoffice service his
| EN- a great help to the detective In his
|,rk, and the scoundrel who has used 1t
. 4 his own purpose frequently has found
la trap. He visits his mail box or calls
the general delivery window once too
. zen.
Mail boxes have been the most useful
.3trument to those who make improper
. .e of postal facilities, but restrictions
|came 30 urgent that new rules are to
formulated which will become true in
ler big cities If they follow out New
rl1 in this crusade. The general deliv-
w, too, ought to receive strict supervi-
kn.h
ComstOck's Statement
Anti-vice Crusader Comstock postal
Nspector here, who Is famous the country
! er for his persistent search of immoral
/ in the postal service and out. said:
The criminal use of the postal facili-
LIS keeps me busy. This evil. is one
lich think cannct be wholly eliminated
restrictions or by any rules concern
- the delivery of mail. The exceptions
ht must be made afford opportunities for
N proper use Of the mails. But laws have
I'm enacted which mitigate the evil to
|ame extent. and these apply to all post
|Eices. AS an instance of such laws the
he making 1t crime to receive under an
Ksumed name any mail relating to un-
|iwful business is salutary one and
Elective in that It makes the taking of
|Ech mail from the postoffice an evidence
n crisEe."
M w8 pointed out by postal inspector
kare Bday that case Is at present un-
|fr the jurisdiction OF United States Com
|Assioner Shields which arose through
lie offices offered BY the postal system.
Me case in question is that of Cyrus NJ.
H-akc of HuntersYille, Mimi. who Is In
[fison in lieu Of 5000 bail, charged with
|<llible persons. Drake sent letters
Trough the malls claiming he was about
II settle up the 100000 estate Of Sir
F-ancis Drake In England. These let
|yrs were addressed to persons to whom,
H.ake said, money would be coming after
Ne estate was settled. Money was So
Eited to forward the settlement. Mrs.
E.nny eagle of Hodgensville. KY. for
arded s3]; J. c. Drake Of Whitefleld.
4. forwarded 49, RndszW tillAm ~
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