The Washington herald., 1915-09-01
TO ASK CHANCE
FOR POSTOFF|CE
Merchants Today to Petition
New Postmaster for
Branch.
COMMITTEE SElDSLETTER
Business Mems Request VIII Be First
Matter Before Official After
He Takes Oath.

When Merritt o. Chance, chief clerk
of the Postofhce Department. enters
this morning upon the duties Of his
new Office of city postmaster. the
first matter to come before him for
consideration and action viii be .
letter from prominent downtown mer-
chants urging Immediate re-estab-
lishment of a branch postofnce In the
Postofiice Department Building at
Eleventh street and Pennsylvania ave-
nue. northwest.
The letter was formulated yester-
day afternoon in the rooms Of the Re-
tail Merchants Association At . meet
ing of the executive committee Of the
citizens committee on downtown
postal facilities.
The committee expressed pleasure
at having seen in yesterdays Herald
statement from Mr.. Chance to the
effect that he would enter upon con-
sideration of the matter with an open
mind and without prejudice.
Victory Expected.
Members of the executive commit
tee said they felt confident that MI.
Chance would give the matter the
fullest consideration and that he
would respond favorably to the facts
and arguments presented in substan-
tiation of the contention that postal
facilities in the downtown section are
inadequate.
The executive committee reached the
conclusion that 1t would be wise to
urge Mr. Chances Immediate consid-
Grafton of the question along such
lines as he might care to pursue be-
fore appearing in delegation before
him with the many facts that have
been compiled.
The letter was cordial in tone, con-
graduating the postmaster upon his
appointment and wishing him success
in his new field of labor. He was
asked to give attention to the matter
without delay, as merchants now are
suffering because of lack Of facilities.
No extensive arGuments-in fact.
practically no arguments-were con-
tanned in the letter. The executive
committee merely called to the atten-
tion of Mr.. Chance the facts already
presented to the ONCE Of the city
postmaster and now In the files Of the
office. Mention was made Of the fact
that petitions some time ago were sub
mitted to the city postmaster signed
by more than 1000 downtown busi-
ness men. decrying the lack Of postal
facilities.
VIII Await Decision.
No further action will be taken until
Mr.. Chance has given the matter con-
sideration and announced his decision.
The executive committee Is SO conf
dent that it will be favorable that they
are giving no thought to what action
would be taken should Mr.. Chance
stick to the conclusion reached by
Mr.. Praeger. retiring postmaster.
The letter to Mr.. Chance was signed
by Isador Grosner. chairman of the
executive committee. Other members
of the executive committee are Carl
F. Brodt. Louis Jacobs. Charles Mum
caster, E. Allen Harris. George F.
Judd. and w. l. Radcliffe.
Mr.. Chance will be sworn in as
postmaster at 10 o'clock this morning
at the new city postoffice. North Capt.
tol street and Massachusetts, avenue.
He spent part of yesterday at his new
office getting things in shape.
Mr.. Praeger will take the oath as
Second Assistant Postmaster General
this morning at the Postoffice Depart
ment Eleventh street and Pennsyl-
vania avenue.