New-York tribune., 1877-07-21
UNDER DETECTIVES EYES.
A SECRET OF THE OLD PosT-OFFICE.

A SECRET OF THE OLD POST-OFFICE.
HIDDEN POSTS OF OBSERVATION FROM WHICH EVERY
MOVEMENT or THE CLERKS WAS NOTED-EX-
PLoRrNG CONCEALED PASSAGES N WHICH THE
DETECTIVES KEPT THEIR WATCH.
The wOrkmen engaged in converting the Old
Post-OHce building, Liberty and Nassausts., into
and offices business purposes nave made
interesting discoveries the rambling old structure
The forgotten vaults with their gloomy writings and the
crumbins cOfius in which laid To rest many OF
the early settlers Of NewYork. described in a
article in HE TRIBUNE, which also mentioned the
changes TO be made in the building by William Tris Bal
ley who has leased from the Secretary Of the Treasury
The old "storyanda is double building, the in
side being the ancient Middle Dutch Church.
erected in 1929. The outer building was constructed
around the church by the POstOttce Department. in
Is45. when the property purchased by the Govern
ment In making alterations, yesterday, the wOrkmen
discovered that what was apparently the ceiling
Of the addition TO the old building was in
reality double floor. The rooHs above were
used by the Postmaster and his assistant of
fcers. No one except those in the secret sus-
pected that this floor OF than ordinary thick
ness built against the great walls of the church
on one side and hid itself the other beneath the roof OF
the more modern part OF the building.
The workmen reported discovery to Mr.. Bailey,
and he with TRIBUNE reporter yesterday explored the
recesses Of the floor Unexpectedly brought To light
When the w0rkmen had removed the flooring. IL was
seen that the concealed space from to 4a feet
deep. afioriing ample room for men to move about.
Passages led entirely around the building At very short
intervals were found small circular holes IN which were
inverted lenses. Through these view OF the room be-
meath was obtained. Back OF and above these lenses
were reecors which brought before tho OF the OBJ
server the utmost OF the PJstOlice Ii was
evident that these three passages and their curiousy,
arranged miniature windows, were used by detectives
during 80 years of tho occupation OF the rambling Old
building as Posioflce Through these peephOles the
work OF the clerks was closely watched. This theory
was confirmed upon subsequent investigation.
On the west SIDE the building a small atc-rOOm was
found in one corner of which was rap-door leading TO
the messages lust described This used by the
detectives when not watch and was unknown 10 most
of the employees OF the Postofce. Connected with this
room was a set Of speaking-tubes. The tiny windows
already referred to most numerous over the Money
order and Regsteredetter Departments which force
of detectives kept constantly under inspection during
business nours The peepholes, however took IN all
the rooms and the various clerks as well rs the
thousands Of people constantly going and coming
we're unconscOusly under scrutiny II detective saw
any stealing aus improper action committed either Dy
a clerk or by person not employed in the oihce the
speaking-tube by his side conveyed warning al once
10 the attic room and the guilty person net at the
door or tapped on the shoulder in the interior OF the
Office by another detective. The closest watch was kept
upon the emDlOyes Of the POs,-oiiice, and under
system of ths espionage, the number of successful
robberies was very small The aperures through which
the detective overlooked the IN most cases so
small as hardly 10 De visible the apartments below.
some OF them however look boldly down from the case
oent Int AS the pauks in which they seen were OBJ
tanned from very old timber the holes would readily be
So ene Of the person who were familiar with the old
Postofce for thirty year, except c1Fdsth s'crs no
a.stas has known Of these spyuc places. The Oldest
employees in the PG,t-oice. when questioned upon
the subject vest riIy, were uFclN lEuotlt ui SUN
lurking place for officers. They have walked tof years
through the old building, handled thousands et uoiIrs
aud held important trusts, nut Yesterday tle.
received their first mii'nat.on of I'm, the Iae, h@d
ben closely watched detection, arrest aud conye-
ton o of their former associates away s
lions Mauy ~ these old employees at mr., r5ils,a 10
believe that the garrethoor 81 the ancient "uiuns WIS
dounle and mad been arranged as Described
Tu. reunrter found. LAST night detrciNe VINO II now
en,uIoyrd at the new Pcst-ofce, and WHO previously
- vria. OF the afternoon the reporter asked the de-
tective how tIc employees were watched ia thr ou '
ing. and Il there we're NOT solie o'ei U ' o' AID
"y, ,lookng thu men af work, az present IN the new
bmlfng The detective laughed heariiiy ana looAlh- III
a u-piclous manner az the reporter, sald ,, r,.,
"a orc Won fhe reporter WHO explored the Od Duch
Church vanisi ~ ugnt 80, anf sn VIZ !II % Y
disroN cred the double Moor. Well that Wa, ths Ahu Ol
Cl, service reform. used III thdse d'y e' so''S
the odd secret l. Ous." ..... ~, ,bo "a
tecf,Vc,' aftc-rOuu, traG door ana Ihe scfiel s
segcs known oniy to lew pt -on5 -, n',ed
wa, devised ny the 'oslMh'uI WY 49,, kia,,-
the erection Of the addition to tue oid chuen, h"'S
robDeres by employees we're dircONer'u' Inu'n 20 10
the surprise OF the Euiity persons. ., lhe III -
psster had miniature glass WINDOW in the NiIls vi
hi, ioum In the southwest corner Oi lne ouiihs u-
winch he sept watch on MS drSlSiahtr' VIM =" VVu
-. nnt in thr secret; The existence OF these Nhtch-
Ines Ma- communicated pA cach Iosiihrtel ~ ~ rt,
cesar The maxim of the Postnasiers was, me % ve-
ecyes ami as.Is,antr watch the empi"yes ana people
sisttnis, aud the Lord VIII watch ihe foS'ni'S'er'