The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-01-04
HITCHCOCK LIKES
WAY IT'S WORKING
THOROUGHLY SATISFIED WITH
THE sMooTHNEss OF THE PAR
GELS POST SYSTEM.
PROBLEMS MASTERED
MERCHANTS SHOWING CoNsEDERA-
TION, BUT FAILURE TO USE
PROPER STAMPS rs SOURCE
OF TROUBLE.

WASHINGTON, Jan. S.-Postmas-
ter-General Frank H Hitchcock is
not concealing his thorough satisfac-
ton with the smooth way In which
the new parcel post system, which
was introduced January list. liz moving
7nder the regulations prepared by his
special committee. He regards the
preliminary task of putting the new
and complicated law into effect as
work exceedingly well done.
That amendments and notifications
both in the law and the regulations
will be necessary az experience dis
closes possibilities and defects, he does
not doubt. But his keen sattsfac-
ton now is due to the fact that one
of the most difficult problems ever
faced by the postal service was faced
during his administration, and that il
was faced In manner to con mand
the respect and the commentator of
the country.
Beth on New Year day and yester-
day he was fairly flooded with Eem EN-
brances from personal and official
friends that came safely and salts
factoTily through the malls under the
new system. In addition to the beau
tifui silver vase, appropriately in
scrihed which was sent him by for
mer PostmasterGen Wanaruaker,
gifts of all kinds were received One
that particularly interested him was
a consignment of fresh fruit of ali
kinds from Florida. He thought it re-
markable that 1t should have arrived
so promptly and with none of its
freshness departed.
One will not have to go to Florida
hereafter" he remarked, Ito get the
luxury of oranges freshly plucked
from the trees. The new parcel post
system seems to bring them to our
very doors"
Freak Packages Received.
Eggs, of course, were sent him, and
his consignment of them came from
Long Island. Books, cut flowers, fresh
and beautiful candy and a variety of
other articles were found IN his col
lection.
Throughout the country reports have
been received Of the receipt Of freak
packages, but these, the postmaster
general thinks, were to be expected
The tokers will soon get their humor
out of their system" he says, and
! things will settled down to a sensible
business basis. The only thing that
| gives him apprehension IL the fact that
there are many who seem to have
| patrontzed the system without first
| informing themselves OF Its require.
ments. SO simple q thing as preparing
| the postage with the distinctive parce
! post stamps seems to have been over
/ looked by some, even postmasters, de-
spite the great care which the depart
fnent has taken to irnpress upon all ttf
officials the necessity of strictly con.
| forming with the requirements of the
law. Those who have used ordinary
/ postage stamps, instead OF the specia
parcel post stamps, for postage or
their parcel post packages will be dis.
/ appointed IN not having them reach
their destination. Ultimately, perhaps
they will find their way back to tht
senders through the dead letter office
Merchants Showing Consideration.
big merchants" said department
official today. fare showing splendid
consideration for the difficulties thu
department had to encounter with thu
new system by not flooding the maiH
with their local parcels for delivery
1t is believed they will ultimately
patronize the service for local de
liveries. Of course. but 1t IN kind O
/ them to give little time for thing
TO get running smoothly While W,
believe ample precautions have beer
I taken to handle the business prompt,
and properly, it might have been EN-
barrassing had we been flooded will
| great consignments the first day or TIVE
-hefora the postoftlce clerks, and other
had had little practice in handlln,
things
Many fragile shipments all over tn
country are being handled witnou
| mishap, and everywhere come report
that the new system In being gen
! erously patronized.
The postmaster general yesterda,
| modified the regulations so az t.
| admit to the parcel post mails pistol
| and revolvers, which formerly wer
barred.
Pomcrcne's Eggs Scrambled.
Senator Pomerene. OF Ohio, is re
ported to have expressed doubt a
to the efficiency of he new servic
! so far as the shipment OF eggs 1
concerned, A friend In Massilon, O.
sent him consignment, but the sen
ator Ia reported as saying they wer
scrambled when he received them
! The department officials say this wa
due TO the failure OF the dispatch
Ing postmaster probably. as numerou
/ cons'rnments OF eggs have been re
celved in the pasteboard container
provided for such shipments and IL
3 eteTs eaae tt1e2 were foax3d to b.
''snei whole ana unperturhed"
a nearby resident Of Virginia toda,
/ advanced the rovef ttra that as sooi
as the summer boarders from Wash
ington get In personal touch with thei
farmer friends in the nearby state
there are going to be many ship
| ments OF table produce bought direc
| from the producer at lower price
than the local markets exact. Som,
Of them already, he said. have beef
! ordering butter eggs and fowl to b,
sent this way. and the man VI no take
| summer boarders is going to estab
! fish closer Acquaintance with his pa
/ frnna during the r,tintar .nnn+hv