The Washington times., 1915-01-20
Plan Meeting to Urge Establish.
!. ment in Old Building at
/ Eleventh Street. u.
PRESENT SERVICE IS LIMITED
Business Men Declare Too
! Much Time Is Being Lost in
/ Obtaining Stamps.

Complaining OF personal inconren-
ience, business interruptions. and ma
terial financial losses, the merchants
and business men established on Penn
Syivania avenue between Seventh and
Fifteenth streets northwest. are prepar-
ing to demand the establishment of a
branch postoffice in the old postoffice
building now occupied exclusively By
the Postoftice Department.
Representatives Of the mercantile
Establishments and other industries d.
'rectly effected by tho alleged lack OF
facilities will meet at the offices OF the
Retail Merchants Association Thurs
test with Postmaster otto Praeger.
Mr.. Praeger. the merchants point
out, has expressed a dcsire to promote
the cultivation Of a trade for the Wash
ington stores with outlying districts OF
Maryland and Virginia through the par
Gel post service. So inconventent. how
ever, they say IS the present parcel
service placed at the disposal OF the
business houses on Pennsylvania avenue
that several Of the merchants who find
fault have resolved that unless 1t Is
promptly remedied through the estab-
lishment Of the branch that they sSy-
gest they will abandon the parcel post
and restore their patronage to the ex-
press companies.
DT8NCu IN DEuS OtOTes
At present the stores from Seventh
to Eleventh street are dependent upon
a branch located in drug store at
Ninth and the Avenue. The space al
loted to the postal service here. the
merchants say, is inadequate; the single
clerk in her crowded quarters Ia un-
able to give prompt and satisfactory
service. and the hours between which
the office is open do not meet the
needs.
No matter how pressing the need for
piece Of mail. the merchants assert that
they cannot secure stamps until 2
o'clock in the morning. as the postal
branch at Ninth street is not opened
The placing OF the branch Office in
the old postoftice building, it is said.
would relieve the postal authorities OF
the rent now required tor the present
facilities for all business establish
ments along the Avenue. not only with
in the territory now served by the
branch. but for several squares on either
branch would likewise draw from the
streets that cross the Avenue.
Clerks Time Taken.
Il lose the services OF one or my
men for from fifteen to twenty minutes
each morning. said lsidor Grosner,
proprietor Of a mems furnishing and
clothing store. "His time is lost while
he waits about the counter at the
branch office. the young woman clerk
being engaged meanwhile in waiting
on other customers. No matter how
busy she may be, she has no help
I'VE have much use for the parcel
post service. but, II | cannot get stamps
earlier in the morning. and cannot post
my parcels more expeditiously. shall
q IA fI,1 1a1
ice. and simply telephone for an ex-
nress wagon. The difference in cost
70 not material. and the latter service
would be much more convenient under
the present CONDITIONS
: Other merchants expressed similar
sentiments. and the meeting Thursday
evening Is expected to develop rather
acrimonious arguments.