The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-08-28
THE NEW POSTAL DELIVERY
Additional Details of the System To Be
Tried by the PostofIice.
The Cost of Delivery and the Methods To Be
EmplOyed-What the Government
Expects of Postmasters.

IoS'maste- Jones yesterday received further
--.ructions from the department at Washing
ton regarding the new law providing for the
immediate-d delivery system, which goes into
operation on the 1st of October. With the
letter came a list of 565 postofices where
letters bearing the stamp of the special
service may be delivered, which has been
posted conspicuously in the front part
of the building for public informa-
ton. There are in Indiana twenty-five
immediate delivery Offices. "You are enjoined,"
the Postmaster general says in his letter of
instructions, ito give your best judgment and
diligent attention to the system. 1t is an object
of great Importance, and it is desired that the
system should prove of high public utility.
Although the ends sought by it are of unques-
tionable value, the system is necessarily an
experiment, and its success depends largely upon
locality will indicate the postmaster's official
value" The rules which are to regulate the sys-
tenn require that the carriers, when collect
ing letters, shall keep separate from other
mail those bearing the special delivery stamp,
and that both in forwarding and delivering them
there shall be all possible expedition. so that
not one moment of time may be lost. When all
mails are received the letters bearing,special
delivery stamps are to be Immediately assorted
from the other mail matter. entered On record by
numbers, and placed in the hands of the messen-
gers for prompt delivery.
"In the beginning" Assistant Postmaster
Dodd said to the Journal reporter, 1--WE will
probably employ not more than two boys, until
we learn what the demands of the service are.
We may employ boys not younger than thirteen
years, or use sub carriers when they are with
out work. The sub carriers are now employed
in filing the positions Of the regular carriers
who are taking the vacations allowed them, but
all the regular men will have had their vacations
in six weeks more. l think that we ought to use
the s'sub carriers, if we can, and give them an
opportunity to learn whatever they can during
the time that they are not employed"
Upon what terms can you employ messengers
for the special service?'
"We may pay them s cents on each letter
delivered, but the total amount shall not exceed
$50 a month. Where sufficient business to
justify it may be reasonably expected we en-
ploy messengers at the rate of II 1-3 cents per
hour, for eight hours a day. No c~ar-fares are
allowed, and the messengers must be changed
from good hours 20 hours when the business is
light so that the work and the pay will be equal
lied as .much as possible. We are
required to keep a force on duty for the imme-
date delivery service from 7 o'clock in the morn
ing until II at night. A number will be assigned
to duty for certain hours on mails, and they will
then alternate from busy to dull times. No uni
form is required in the beginning, but there will
dou btless be some order from the department. in
regard to the matter after the system gets in
good working order. The messengers will be re.
quired to carry registry books, something like
the books Of telegraph messengers, in which
persons receiving special letters will register
their signatures and the time of delivery"
How soon will you appoint your messengers
for this officer
II don't know. The rules require that the ap-
pointments shall be made as soon as practicable,
and reported to the Postmaster-general."
Are there any rules governing the appoint
mentsl"
THE postmaster is at liberty to select any
person whom he may think suitable, not under
thirteen years old"
The special delivery stamp is oblong in form.
1916 by TIC of an inch in size, of a dark blue
color. On the left there is an arched panel,
bearing the figure of a mail messenger boy on A
run, and surrounded by the words United
States" On the right is az oblong tablet orna-
mented with a wreath of oak and laurel, sur
rounding the words Secures immediate
delivery at special delivery Offices" Across the
top of the tablet is the legend, Especial Delivery
Service" and at the bottom the words Ten
Cents" separated by a small shield bearing the
numeral 10.