New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-12-23
MAIL BOXES on STREET CARS
POSTMASTER BROWN, OF BALTIMORE, EXPLAIN
LIS PLAN rnn NOPE RApIp pEIIYERY

POSTMASTER BROWN, OF BALTIMORE, ExrLAI1v
HIS PLAN FOR MORE RAPID DELIVERY.
rome Edftor Of me 1rtbune.
Sir hope you will give me an opportunity -
answer a communication which appeared In your
journal on Saturday. November "a as special core-
Fpondence from Washington. under the head OF
Street Cars as Mail Carriers, Ordinarily do not
notice newspaper articles commenting upon my an
ministratIon OF the Baltimore Post ohhco. but whsn
article appears which calculated 10 give |he inn
preston that have originated scheme In tho In
teres OF individuals corporations 10 tho dofrmens
OF the United States Government OF which I am .
sworn officer feel called npOn to express my ndig-
nation at any such insinuaton, and the only excuse
that can he given for thu sane is the ignorance OF
your CORES pOndent 20 the suggestions made BY
myself TO the Department
My ideas in reference 10 using tho street cars for
the collection OF mall have been thoroughly So
forth In a number OF articles that havo appeared Ia
the Baltimore papers and havr been commented on
By Washington correspondents, who have daily access
TO the Post Office Department to such extent that
did not suppose IL possible for them 10 be MIS-
understood But for the benefit OF your readers
Will give. In brief my views this subject. Shortly
after becoming Postmaster OF Baltimore was i'm
pressed with the possibility that the street car lines
could be used for improving the postal service. pro-
vided tho corporations could be induced TO allow col
lection boxes be placed their Following
of the presidents OF railways in this CITY, some OF
whom were eager 10 accede 10 my request and
willing to bear tho ire expenses Of outfit provided
that their lines were established as mail routes
THIS. informed them could not be done, az tho Gov
eminent would not place itself in Dositiop 70 pro-
tect their lines against strikes and "tie-ups.' a.
your cores pendent puts IT, II then became dincuIt
for me to their approval After many inter
Vows finally succeeded in getting the consent Of
several companies.
It IS my intention, II approved by the Department.
and the companies. to place letter boxes the rear
dash Of every in Baltimore City and to have col
lectors collect mail from all sections OF the city and de-
post # In the first that passes them thr collector
remain HIS district and continue collecting and
dispsching TO the main Office during the entire time
he on duty. Under this arrangement tho dis patch
and delivery NJ the mail would be greatly facilitated,
rs many OF these letters would arrive al the Office
IN time make trains they miss. and addt ton,
the citizens OF this city would have full benefit Of
the SPECIAL delivery system, letter placed in
box Of these lines Will proceed Immediately
to tine post Office lnstead OF remaining in street.
box to be taken up by COLLECTOR and arrival
the main Office be delivered by special ssenger
As the pass the nearest point to the post
Office they would not be called upon 10 stop but only
slow up sufficiently 10 allow the collector TO open
the box, take out the mail and close the box No
additional expense would be Incurred BY the Depart
ment other than the of the boxes, which would
BE- nominal. The city being covered with net-wors
of railways every section would have equal stvan-
taces 50 far the rapid collection Of mails is con-
cerned and the letter wond not be forced 10
carry immense bags Of mail through rain, slush heat
and cold TO the post Office. The street lamprost
boxes would remain intact as at present In tho
event Of tie-up' strike these street boxes would
be used as they and the letter boxes on inc
street cars would be unused, the would DO
parked in tho sheds OF the various companies. In
case Of fire which might blockade the the col
lee tor whose dis trct the blockade occurred would
be ordered TO proceed TO The fire Immediately, empty
the boxes deliver and report to the ONCE
Hoping you Will insert This In your paper and there
by correct the wrong impression that your special
from Washington may have created, ! remain, yours
very respectfully, FRANK BROWN.
Baltimore, Md, Dec. 90, 1855 Pos master