"Pulling a Nixie"

A U. S. Postmaster General and his appointive aids have much to learn. Career men in the Department would understand perfectly what was meant if a report came in saying: "The Oscaloosa graveyard shift pulled three nixies in a Mother Hubbard." But First Assistant Postmaster General John H. Bartlett might have to scratch his head over such a message. In any case, there is no reason why U. S. postmasters should not use everyday language. So last week First Assistant Postmaster General Bartlett instructed his subordinates to omit "technical" terms from their reports.

A partial glossary of terms with which First Assistant Postmaster General Bartlett will no longer have to cope: beats--mail needing re-addressing or "unknown" bumper--2nd to 4th class cancelling stamp burns--damaged tie sacks clock ("on the" and "off the")--On or off duty decoy--matter mailed to catch crooks graveyard shift--9 p. m. to 5 a. m. green goods--counterfeit money jug (roundhouse)--upright, semicircular case for periodicals logs (trunks)--heavy parcels Mother Hubbard--large sack for paper mail nixie--insufficient address pull--"to pull a case"--to take mail from it reds--registered matter skin the rack--to take bags from bag-rack for dispatch.