The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1917-06-01
SEND MAIL EARLY,
POSTMASTER URGES
Business Men Bunch Letters
in Late Afternoon.
CONGESTION THREATENS DELAY
Extraordinary Conditions Due to
Boom in Capital Activities.
CONGESTION THREATENS DELAY

n new mail early slogan mas
been adopted by the city postofics.
Postmaster Chance is today sending
to the business houses OF the city
circular, urging that they get their
mail to the postoffice early in the
day, to insure early dispatch and de-
livery, and to relieve congestion at
the postoffice between o'clock and
S o'clock in the evening.
Most Of the city's outbound mail
has been reaching the postofice be-
tween those hours. Business houses
and Government departments have
let the days mail accumulate and
sent II into the postoffice in bulk
late in the afternoon.
Business Boom Hits Postofaee.
The big business boom in Wash
ington has increased the mail to an
extent that threatens serious conges-
ton and delay OF all mails sent in
late in the day.
If the business houses will follow
the example OF the Government and
distribute their mailings through the
day the office can easily handle the
vast increase. says Postmaster
Chance.
A table showing the time OF arrival
in the important cities of the East and
South, Of mail deposited at the City
Postoffice between given hours, ac-
companies the Postmaster's circular
to the business men OF the city. 1t
shows that much time can be saved.
and that many letters will reach their
destination a day earlier. IL mailed in
the morning or early afternoon.
Prompt distribution OF the increas-
ing bulk OF mail that Is reaching the
postofhce between 8 and o'clock is
constantly becoming more OF a prob
lem. the postmaster declares. AT
the present rate of increase" he says,
lit may soon assume such proportions
as to cause congestion which might
seriously embarrass not only this Of
fce, but yourself and your CORE
spondents.
War swelIs GOvTnmeat Mail.
THE situation in this city is some
what complicated by the fact that
mail from the Government depart
ments reaches the postoffice only q
short time prior to the arrival OF the
business mail. Consequently, when
there 10 an abnormal mailing of Off
cial matter II occasionally cannot be
entirely disposed Of before the We.
ceipt of the business mail, and in this
way the distribution OF a portion OF
both classes of mail matter must pro-
coed simultaneously. resulting in de
lay. At the present time the depart
mental correspondence is greatly aug
mented on account of the war and
more frequently the service is not
able to distribute this important mail
for dispatch prior to the receipt OF
ha rnFraRn0nAanra
The subject was recently taken
up with the various executive de-
partmentG. and arrangements made
for the depositing of their mail
from time to time during the day
as It accumUlates. instead of holding
1t for one bulk mailing at the close
OF the days business. Inasmuch as
in many instances an hour or two
earlier mailing during the day means
a gain OF several hours in arrival at
destinations and secures many other
advantages. the departments have CO.
operated splendidly with this office.
Early .IAIIInEs Gain q Day.
at has been suggested that IL the
commercial houses understood and
appreciated ,ne advantages which
would accrue to them through the
early mailing. they would be glad TO
cooperate with this office and there
by assure the dispatch OF the mail
promptly upon receipt at the office,
and without any delay which is now
likely to occur from time to time.
Mail received late in the evening fire.
quently misses early dispatch and
Important train connections
SIn many instances mail for I'M
portant business centeTs could be 80
yanced one business day by early
maiIinEs. This office realizes that II
is lust as important to the business
man that his correspondence be given
IN. arelist attention possible as It is
that any other feature of his business
should not in any way be neglected.
and we are anxious to assist in the
manner herein suggested"