Douglas Island news., 1917-11-02
UNCLE sAM's BOYS
 GET THEIR MAIL
Post Office Department Issues Inter esting statement-Mail Im-
 properly Addressed

Tho post onlcc department Issues tho following:
 Weekly reports Co tho post office department show a steady improve ment in the postal service at tho military cantonments. This service has been regarded remarkably good from the first, considering Che short notice of its establishment and the difficulties to be overcome. Tho re- ports on September 22 and 20 and October show that now almost the only hlndrancc to tho prompt dollv- cry of mail Co tho soldiers ia due Co letters and packages being improp- crly addressed. There Is in some instances @ lack of adequate build ing space and of help. but this op- work of Che postal officials rather crates to he inconvenience and over than to any dealy In the delivery Of letters. The military authorities everywhere arc cooperating enec- lively with the postmastors. If care Is taken to address tho mail prop crly its speedy delivery is asured.
 When difficulties are encountered, immediate effort is made Co correct them. and in all cases improvement of condition Is shown. For example, tho postmaster at Camp Funston, Kaus.. reported. October G: Mail conditions fair. Occasional com plaint due to error of inexperienced help. Some congestion and increas- ing mail heavy. Building entirely Inadequate. Difficult to get men or quarters. Am working with mili- tary authorities for larger building. Need 10 additional clerks"
 Immediately 10 clerks were sent from the Chicago office, from To- pella. from Wichita, and 1 from St. Louis to aid in the work of this office.
 The postmaster at Chillicothc, Ohio (Camp Sherman), reported: Military mail properly addressed receiving two or three deliveries daily. Splendid assistance by mili- tary men and trucks make this pos sible. Big improvement in outgoing mail"
 A congestion was reported at Camp Lee, Va. on account Of lack Of trucks Co remove the mail from tho railroad station. This was taken up for correction at once.
 Most complaints relate to the comfort Of the employees, not to any thing affecting the distribution of the mail. Lack of heat and need for moro room are reported from several camps. An these matters, which are secondary to the need for mail delivery but yet important, arc being looked after promptly.
 The rarity Of complaint of any sort indicates the efficiency with which tho service Is being handled, and every effort possible is made to overcome adverse conditions attend Ing the establishment ot excellent service at all military camps. Upon receipt of complaint steps are taken to correct them as soon as reported. The improper addressing of mail and defective wrapping of parcel post packages are things to bo con tended with. which the department cannot of itself correct. This is up to those who send the letters and packages, who have only Co observe tho instructions of the department to insure proper delivery.
 Tho report from all military branch offices calls attention to de- rective wrapping Of parcel-post mat ter. The report from Camp Mills said; Camp mails very heavy. Be- Ing handled promptly. No congus- ton. Much mail improperly address cd"
 Tho report from Camp wads- worth. spartanburg, S. C., about de- scribes tho conditions indicated by thc general run Of the reports. It says:
 "Ar outgoing mail from Wads- worth branch promptly dispatched. All incoming mail promptly worked out and delivered to mall orderlies. Registry. money orders and stamp windows open from 8 a. m. to G D. ID. No congestion Of any kind. No complaints 80 far"
 Overworking the force1 of cler' ? Is a usual comment rather than a complaint. and general improve ment over any unsatisfactory condi- tlons Is shown by the later reports.
 TO MINE COPPER