National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1881-06-25
POSTAL STATIONS.
THEIR NEED IN THE DISTRICT.
Interview With the Superintendent Of the Free De.
livery Division Of the Post-Offiee Depart.
ment-Cities Which Have Sta
tions-A Comparison. -

Following up the subject of the estab-
lishment of post Office stations in the District to
enable our citizens to have additional postal facil
ties, so that man won't have to go clear to the
post-ofice when he wants to buy postage stamp,
and won't have an excuse TO go into drug store,
and after procuring his stamp sample the soda
with spike" representative of THE REPUBLI-
CAN dropped into the Office of Mr.. Revere w.
Gurley. the superintendent of the free delivery
branch of the Post Office Department, and pro-
ceeded to apply his inquisitorial corkscrew to that
amiable gentleman. Mr. Gurley has been con-
nected with this branch of the Department ever
since there free delivery of the mails, and
his quiet, transformations manner of dispatching
business. his thorough knowledge of every detail,
and his excellent judgment have made him one
of the most valuable officers in the Department.
Mr.. Guriey.' said he, after he had comfortably
seated himself and looked wonderingly round
the room. thinking that there were altogether too
many crowded together and that the appointment
clerk should have room all by himself. as is the
case in most other Departments, you probably
read an interview with Postmaster Anger in The
REPUBLICAN day or two ago. did you not!'
"Yes. sir. responded Mr.. Gurley.
WELL said the news seeker, what do you
think Of the establishment of stations in this Dis
trict?'
al think sir. it would be good thing and it is
a matter of which have thought for some time,
and over year ago spoke of it. You see, we
have what are called stations and substations.
Now. from Mr.. Ainger's remarks, infer he is in
favor of establishing stations. At these there is
regular distribution and the services of clerks and
other employees are required. Where however,
we can send the carriers by rail we prefer that
they should all go from point-the post Office"
In this city, interectcd the quill-driyer, as he
stopped to put point on his pencil, there are
abundant horse facilities to reach almost every
point"
YES" resumed Mr.. Gurley, and on that account
it is probable that substations would answer every
purpose"
Substations are not so expensive, are they?
asked the iuterlocutor.
mot by any means. In Cincinnati some of them
do not cost more than $500 per year, while see
that Mr. Angers estimate for the stations is about
$1,000 for each station. Two thirds of that would
of course be for clerk hire"
What steps are necessary in order to secure the
establishment of stations substationS in the Dis
trfct? Must it be by petition of the citizens in
terested, or an application from the postmaster
asked the scribe.
"The application of the postmaster is sufficient.
When such anapplication is made we usually send
an agent to examine into the matter and estimate
the cost, and then, if have the funds the Post
or substatiOns are established"
Thanking Mr.. Gurley for his information, THE
REPUBLICAN representative bowed himself out and
Immediately proceeded to hunt postal guide
From this valuable compendium he found that
stations had been established in the following
cities: Boston, %; Brooklyn, 4; Chicago, Z;
Cincinnati, 6; Cleveland, 3; Meriden, Conn,
1; Nashville, /; New Haven, /; New
York, 90 Oakland, Cal, ,; Philadelphia,
d; Pittsburg, ] St. Louis, 8; San Francisco, 8;
Topeka, Kan, l; Washington. D. c., l. The one
station in this city is of course Georgetown. OF
the above cities Boston, Brooklyn, Chicago, Gin
cinnati, New York, Philadelphia, st. Louis and
San Francisco only have larger number of letter
carriers than Washington. 1t is hoped that as the
matter depends for its initiative upon the action
of Postmaster Anger, he will make application to
the Postmaster General without delay, so that
stations or subsatons may be established to afford
the increased facilities which the growing bust
ness of the Washington post-office requires.