New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-11-02
Postomces Swamped
On Eve of New Rate
Business Houses Rush Mail on
Last Day Of Two Cent
Stamp for Letters

The three-cent rate on letters went
into effect a. midn ght last night. with
the clerks in the postofices Of the
greater city working at Christmas time
speed 70 dispose OF the mountains Of
mail that had been dumped upon them
a. the old two-cent rate. The only de-
partment not showed under was the par
eel post and even that had more than
is usual amount Of business, due TO
the Misunderstanding OF many as 20
the time the wa tax becomes effective
on parcel, post packages.
Ordinarily business houses do not get
their monthly statements out on the
first day OF the month. this class Of
mail dribbling in from TIE lst 20 the
10Th. Yesterday, as many as could or
had the foresight 20 save the extra
penny by speeding uD their clerks and
oookSeepers got out every possible
piece. In addition 10 this matter, trade
circulars which ordinarily might issue
later IN the month were mailed.
Business Houses Save Postage
ave haven't had time 70 estimate the
a. unit OF mail matter turned In to-
day said a representative Of Postmas-
ter Patten. I'VE are TOO busy trying TO
get the stuff out. There 10 no extra
help on. but there will be lot of over
time necessary 70 clean things UP. For
that matter, We have had lot OF extra
work for the last few days, but the
big rush. of course, came to-day"
Some business houses sent 10000
pieces of mail 10 the general Office and
sub-stations yesterday. The saving on
this number OF letters was 800.
Apparently there was considerable
confusion in the public mind az 10 when
the three-ceut rate went into effect.
There were so many inquiries or this
point that L was found necessary 20
detail a clerk 10 do nothing but answer
telephone calls.
Others. assuming that November :
was the date the law became effective,
paid the advanced rate on their letters.
The advance in the postcard rate
from one 20 two cents brought 10 sp-
preciable influx of that class OF mail
TO the postoffices, officials said.
The 10 per cent theatre tax evoked
little grumbling and was productive OF
no confusion. Almost the only per-
sons who voiced the slightest complaint
were soldiers and sailors, some Of
whom pointed out that in Canada SINH
lar taxes were RENTED to those in
the countrys service.
Soldier Resents Tax
A man in olive drab who finally
paid the tax at the New Amsterdam
Theatre declared that ne had given
up d lucrative position 70 fight the Ger
mans at $50 month, and he thought
he was entitled 70 what recreation he
could pay for without handing over an
additional 10 per cent 10 his present
employer. A man in civilian clothes
displayed a Liberty bond button as
convincing proof ct one theatre that
he was exempt from the tax.
Children az the Hippodrome matiAee
hailed the innovation with glee. At
that house all tickets were sold al
prices which included the tax, and
there were refund booths at which
children could obtain the overcharge
made in their cases.
Almost ! 900 youngsters obtained the
refund Yesterday and congratulated
each other upon the thoughtful govern
ment which had provided that boys
and girls should be paid for going TO