The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1890-12-21

III VI HAL ulDulcu DY The
city postolicc is first-rate index to tho
growth of a community" said Assistant
Postmaster James NJ. O'Bren to u TIMES
reporter yesterday.
Having delivered this axiom, Mr..
O'Brien was asked what wero the needs
of the Office at this juncturc. lie said
eve now have seven carriers, and
make one delivery each day. The terri
tory to cover extends from one end of
the town to tho other, and shortly this
space will radically have to be doubled,
as wo will DO compelled to make two
deliveries 4 day.
"Wo shall then have to make demand
upon the Postotiice Department for car
fare allowances, as ii will he very neccs-
sary for the carriers to quickly get from
place to place. This allowance is made
in some instances whore the needs of
the service require it. and l believe we
will be able to procure it.
I'VE also need All extension OF box
room. All of our boxes are now taken,
and VIC havo fifty applications on tile
now for thcso handy mail receptaclcs.
Of course, as the town builds up and
men bring thoir families here, they will
generally have their mail delivered at
their houses, and the demand for lock-
boxes will be confined mostly to bust
ness houses. Now men who are board
ing have boxes to insure receipt of their
mail"
What has the Department done for
you lately?" asked the reporter
"Well, they gave us an additional
clerk at $500 per annum ON the 18th of
November. This, however, WAS but a
nominel increase, since he had been
employed previously and paid by tho
Postmaster himself"
'llow about the controversy bctweoE
the Office and the Department on the
question OF rcnt?"
''rhe building occupied by tho city
postofice was leased for period ending
June so, 1883, and the Mr.. Asbcrrys
predecessor notified the Department
that it was impossible to secure a build
idg at the rental then allowed, $500 per
annum. In September, 1887, \ special
agent WAS sent by the Department to
inquire into the matter, who was also
unsuccessful in securing an Office.
"Thelcupon this agent entered into q
contract with Mrs. s. v. Day for the
erection of u suitable building for tho
uso of the postofiice. the same to be
ready for occupancy July LIST OF tho next
year, tho agent, on behalf OF the Gov
crnmcnt, agreeing TO lease the same for
five years at the rate OF $500 per year
SIN accordance with this contract tho
structure we are now occupying was
erected and turned over to the post
master July 1e, 1888. The ostoflice
appropriation bill which passed Congress
that year, however, carried but $500 per
annum for rent of building for Roanoke,
and the Same has been the case since,
and each year the local postmaster has
been compelled to pay out OF his own
OF tho building.
"Mr. Asborry went to Washington
about two weeks since to endeavor to
arrange matters in this connection, and
the authorities directed him to pre-
pare a statement to this effect, which
no has done, and it has been transmit
ted to tho Postmaster General. We
hope to have the matter Strengthened
out before long"
Mr.. O'Brien also stated that he hal
placed one of tho large newspaper and
package boxes recently received
at the corner OF Jefferson street and
Salem avenue. This will DO great
convenience to the public, particularly
at this time, owing to the number Of
packages which are being sent away
carrying gifts of tho season.
Tho money order and postal note
branch of the business horo Is doing a
largely increased business just at pres
ent, and things generally about tho
Office arc lively.