Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1919-05-21
FOR BETTERMENT
OF MAIL SERVICE
Postmaster English a n d
Chamber Of Commerce
Committee to Cooperate
ASK PUBLIC TO
GIVE SUPPORT

Al tho request Of Postmaster English
Alfred d. Warner. president OF the
Chamber OF Commerce, recently APP
pointed special committee, consist
ing OF Joseph Bancroft, Ellwood Souder
and Charles II. Ten Weeges, to take
ND with him the criticisms which have
been made against the postofilce serV-
fee and to suggest, II possible ways anu
means OF improving same.
After n conference with Mr.. English
and an examination OF the conditions
at the postoilce, the committee re-
ported 10 the board Of directors anu
made sundry recommendations Tor inc
betterment OF the service.
one OF the chief causes for the con-
ditions which have caused criticisms OF
the service has been the fact that u has
been Impossible to keep a full compie-
ment Of trained clerks, due TO the
fact that other industries were paying
such large wages.
The postofflce Is authorized to en-
ploy 5s clerks for distribution, etc.
inside the building, but 1t has only
been within the last month that the
postmaster has been able to secure the
full number Of clerks and now only
~ are qualified clerks, the remainder
being under instructions.
The amount OF mail matter handled
through this office has very greatly
increased and about two hundred
thousand pieces Of mail matter is fire.
qlently handled in one day and with
q. MI
parcel post has greatly increased the
quantity OF matter to be handled and
there is no adequate provision in the
building for this class Of mail. and 1t
will require an appropriation by Con-
gress before such space can be pro-
yided.
A number of suggestions were given
to the committee by Postmaster Eng
fish which. IL followed by users Of the
postal service, will greatly simplify the
handling of mall matter, reduce chances
OF mistakes and delays and not impose
any additional work on the pubic.
The committee has made the follow
ing recommendations;
First: That the Chamber Of Com
merce cooperate with the postmaster
m obtaining the necessary appropria-
ton TO make such. alterations in the
as will facilitate the handling
OF the parcel post matter and the in
creased amount Of business the post
office is now doing.
Second. That the Chamber have
printed and distributed TO all Of its
and published in the press,
the list of suggestions given by the
with the recommendation
that tho users OF the postoflce follow
them and thus, by cooperating with
the Posiofllcc Department. increase the
Of and improve the service.
Third. That If there are any sugges-
tions for the improvement Of the pos
tai service, Of general nature, which
would be to the advantage Of a num-
Der Of users of the postOfllce. the
chamber be ready TO act as a clearing
house for such suggestions and present
them to the postmaster. so that he. in
applying to the posiofilce authorities
in Washington for a change in con-
ditions. can feel that ne is supported
by a representative organization. and
thus have a better chance OF obtain
ing results.
Following are the suggestions made
to the committee by Postmaster Eng
fish:
!. Have all mail matter fully adj
dressed, as TO street and number. as
person or firm may be very we'll
known in the city, but his definite
street address may not be known 10
the individual clerk handling the piece
OF mall necessitating directory serv-
ice and consequent delay in delivery in
many instances. It is also suggested
that return cards be fun and complete
as 10 address.
? See that all packages are properly
addressed by having The address OF the
ADDRESSED in the lower right hand cor
ner and the name Of the sender in the
upper left hand corner. In many in
stances stores and firms use shipping
tags with their address as the sender