Indiana daily times., 1922-01-10
MAP IN
LONDON TAKES
REAL PATIENCE
Purchaser Must First Get I ass
From His Majesty's Of
fee of Works.

LONDON, Jan. lot befe1 that I
wanted to buy a map. 1t was map OF
Richmond Park, one Of the great beauty
spots oil the outskirts of London. the
pilgrimage Of every American and the
spot whittier Turner proceeded to paint
his immortal sunsets. And ! discovered
that the British government had for sale
q perfectly charming map.
So | went to the institution known as
His Majesty's Stationery Office. And Ger
tainly it did not seem TO move much.
Anyhow. after long wait, young gen
tleman. complete with half-consumed
cigarette behind ear and out -of-elbows
coat, came forward and asked my busi-
ness. told him.
I'VE don't sell maps" be replied,
somewhat acid y. Go 10 His MaJesty's 5
office Of works"
And there l went On the dooS there
was a somewhat belligerent gentleman,
resplendent In medals. He asked my
business. said l wanted a map.
"You want a pass" said he.
"No." ! said, II want map"
well" said be. you can't have a map
without a pass"
he APPLIED
FOR PASS.
So / succumbed aud duly filed in a
form, giving my name in full, private and
business addresses and place Of birth, and
was formally warned that / could not
leave the building again unless same doc-
ument was produced TO a properly ac-
credited official.
Then I went up to the first floor and
found three important gentlemen, who
disclaimed all knowledge Of the sale Of
maps in that building But then I met
a fourth who had an inspiration.
"You ought to see the ball!n of the
royal parks" he said.
And liked this title I had read and
heard a lot about bailiffs as people who
would grab ones household goods on
the smallest provocation. but it seemed
that one with title like this must be a
real kindly. expansive personality. Fin
ally 7 found him. And 1 said: Il want
map" He took his eyeglass out Of
his eye.
when do you want it?' he asked.
"Now" said I.
But" he said, this is really unusual.
We don't usually sell maps here on the
spur Of the moment Your proper pro
cedure is to write to US and say the
nature Of the map required. and then In
due course we reply stating the price Of
the map and informing you that on re-
celpt of your remittance the map will be
sent to you at our early convenience"
But we want 1t now" said 1.
We'll, of course" said he "if you
really insist. you had better go and see
my second chief deputy assistant. He
knows all about these things"
A MAP
AT LAST.
Accordingly climbed three more floors
lift not working-wandered through
several enormous, but mainly vacant
drawing offices, and, after waiting half
an hour, l saw the second chief deputy
assistant, told him my requirement.
Yes" he said, 1t is a beautiful map.
I did It in 1918. But would you rathes
not have the map l have just completed
Of Greenwich Park? That is a real gem.
Or look at this man of Hampton Court?
Now, I'm proud of that!'
Il want a map Of Richmond Park"
said
Very we'll" he replied, IF you really
insist. Would you like the thin paper
edition at two shilllngs (abOut SO cents)
or the folded one on linen, at two shil-
lings and sixpence?"
took the latter and gave him a ten
shilling note. After a quarter of an
hour he returned with three shillings
and sixpence In silver and four shilIings
in coppers.
There doesn't seem much change about
here" he said. l agreed.
But I got that map in a little under
an hour and twenty minutes.