Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 38, Number 2, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 11 August 1905 — WASHINGTON GOSSIP [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

WASHINGTON GOSSIP

Red tape is always associated with the business methods of government; whether in America or in other countries. Nearly every ’one who has had dealings with Washington will testify as to the tedious regulations which * must be observed and the vexation* delays which exhaust the patience of those who have to do with the departments. The President, who, by temperament, has no sympathy with unnecessary conventionalities, and who desires always to see work done In tbo quickest and most effective way, has appointed a commission of five men, selected from four of the executive departments, to investigate the government methods of doing business, and, if possible, to discover and recommend fetter ways. In private business red tape practices are killed off by compotitfmp; for, other things being equal, the firm which does Its work In th« most direct and economical way ba* an advantage. In government business competition plays no part and, as * rule, has no influence; and custom assumes an undue Importance. The result Is a tendency, characteristic of all departments of the public business, to become clogged with rules and entangled In petty details, to the great detriment both of speed and of economy. Families living in large towns or cities have sometimes been asked by their letter carrier to buy tickets to a picnic, excursion, concert, ball or other entertainment. Even if the request has not been formally made, the tickets, with the price plainly printed on them, have been left at the house. It is not generally known that such distribution of tickets is forbidden by the postofflce department. Indeed, even those who have known of the prohibition have seldom been inclined to complain against the postman who has delivered their mail dally in rain and shine for years. At the beginning of the season of picnics and excursions this year the Postmaster General called the attention of the postmasters to the regulation, and said he would hold them responsible for its enforcement The regulation applies to rural-free-dellvery carriers as well as to those in cities; but on the rural-free-delivery routes the carriers have certain privileges of their own. They may carry “articles or packages of unmallable merchandise for hire for and upon the request of patrons residing on their respective routes.”

Now and then one gets an amusing glimpse of the variety of duties which the President is called upon to perform. While he was settling the difference between Assistant Secretary Loomis and Minister Bowen, and deciding what should be done in the case of the Santa Fe Railroad Company, and arranging for a peace conference be-, tween Russia and Japan, a delegation of Gloucester fish merchants called upon him to complain of the conduct of the mackerel. These inconsiderate fish, formerly very regular In their habits, have lately become dissipated and erratic. They take long and frequent vacations, without giving any Indication as to where they are going or when they will return, and In other ways give evidence of leading a donblfe life. The Gloucester fish merchants, who have so often fed these mackerel and looked after them so tenderly, are naturally hurt. They want the President to get after the rebellious schools with his big stick, aud compel the mackerel to be good; and he promised to have the fish commission make an investigation. Picture post-cards, which are now so plentiful, bring to the government a most profitable line of postal business. The rate, at a cent each for carrying them through the mail, amounts to about one dollar and s quarter a pound, varying somewhat with the weight of the card. This compares advantageously with tho cent a pound on newspapers, the 8 cents on books, and the 10 cents on merchandise. Letter mall would pay twice the postal-card rate, even If every letter weighed its full ounce. The collecting habit, in other ways, brings to the Treasury many an honest penny. The post-card craze, which Is the newest collecting habit and the most recent source of revenue, leads small communities to see what they have In the way of natural beauty or of artistic work that deserves a wide circulation. Heavy receipts In June resulted In a surplus of $13,000,000 In the Treasury operations of that month, and reduced the deficit from $37,000,000 to about $24,000,000 for the fiscal year. Receipts were about the game as in the previous -yedr, but there was a considerable Increase of expenditures in the War, Navy and Postofflce Departments. The war department has reeently ■given an order which appeals to the finest sentiment. The post commander at Fort McHenry has been directed to ascertain the exact position of the pole from which floated the flag which suggested to Francis Scott Key “The Star-Spangled Banner.” The officers and enlisted men at the post wish to erect a stone to mark the spot. One miner Is killed for every mIIIUMS tons of coal raised.