The New York herald., 1871-10-07
TIE POST OFFICE BOX ..ExToaTIoz."


Sixteen Dollars per Amman Charged for n
Letter Box, but Who Is Responsible
General Jones Acting Under Instructions.
For some time past great many complaints have
been made by persons throughout the city in regard
what they are pleased TO designate as the giar-
ing outrage which Postmaster Jones Is pcrpetrat-
ing upon the business men OF the metropolis by
increasing the yearly rental or letter boxes from
twelve to sixteen dollars. Several persons have
written to the HERALD in regard to the matter, all
OF them urging this journal to expose the 'fraud."
the ''outrage upon the people," or the "dastardly
imposition AS 1t Is now. and ever has BEEN
the HERALD's desire and determination to project
the masses against fraud or extorton OF every
kind, one OF its representatives was despatched to
THE RICKETY OLD STRUCTURE
an Nassau street with instructions investigate tho
whole affair, and II anything wrong was discovered
to expose 1t III no measured terms. Bat nothing
wrong was discovered, at least SO FAR as the city.
Post ONCE is concerned. Calling General Jones.
the Postmaster anu stating the nature OF his bust
ness, the reporter was kindly received and shown
every facility for the obtainance Of the desired nor
nation. The General SAID it was true that the
yearly rental OF the boxes had Decn increased to
sixteen dollars per annnm. "But." said he, lnat Is
matter over which have no control Whatever.
the department at Washington. II you Will accom-
pany me viii show you through
Tue BOX DEPARTMENT., t A4@
and we VIII see Colonel Hopper, the Superintendent,
who Will be able to imparl to you whatever in.or-
nation YOU may wsh.n' Accordingly the General
led the way through a side door, down q dllaDi
dated pair OF Old stairs, to the man floor, on the
Cedar street side Of the building where about forty
men were busily engaged asserting and DISTRIBUTING
letters and papers. Net
..Now. this Is tue box department, and here IL
Colonel Hopper" said the arable General.
COlonel Hopper expressed himself Is only too
happy to explain matters to the reporter.
~. Yes" s. sad ne I'VE have & as you say, increased
INSTRUCTIONS FROM WASHINGTON
n fn m hln fnoY fA
the HERALD representative rs he spoke the follow
Posi- OFFICE DEPAnrxENrl
sIR-You hereby authorized and directed to Increase
sns rent Of the bo1cs IN your 9cs to ls tax:
to meet the Of the box department n Office
's' respectfully FRS. A..i..sn. y fosmsser sasr.
To General r. IT, JONES, Postmaster, New York, NY.
.You wi readily understand by that" re-
"that while we collect $40 year for tho
rent OF box. we ourselves, are in no way re-
sponslble for ITS being charged. Although this In
crease was ordered to meet the expenses Ot the
box department Of this ofice, it does not accom-
plish its object fuly for assure you this branch
OF the office iS very expensive indeed. Why,r con-
tinued he, 1--WE have seventy-eight working here
night and day the year round, besides which we
night to meet tne incoming mail and assort II, al
far possible, before 1t reaches here. Tnls and
many other things in connection with the depart
mcnt make 1t, as have SAID very expensive, and
this expense Is not fully covered even By
THE INCREASED BOX RENTS.N .rN
"lIow many boxes have you here ~ inquired the
1--WE have about $3.50 in all, and these at SIG per
annum, provided they ere all rented throughout the
whole year, make an income to the departments OF q
little over $780, 000."
Feeling assured that the sfraud', .the dastar,lly
pr py was Uer
city Post ONCE olcals without full authority from
washington, the HERALD reporter babe the two dts
tinguished officials ''good day" and took his de-