Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-09-24
HOUSE LETTER BOXES
For the Rapid Collection and Deliv-
cry of Mail Matter to Be
INTRODUCED INTO PITTSBURG.
Awaiting the Result of an Experimental
Test in st. Louis
APPL ICATI0SS COMING IN RAPIDLY

Pittsburg people are not slow to adopt
improvements. The order of Postmaster
General Wanamaker deputizing postmast-
ers in cities to put up house letter boxes for
the collection and delivery of mail is we'll
received here. Hundreds of people living
in the suburban districts have written
to Postmaster Mexican for information.
Mr.. Mexican has applied to Mr.. Wana-
maker for instructions, and he expects to
hear from him soon. The Postmaster Gen
eral has been very busy lately, and the de-
partment is waiting to hear further from
St. Louis, where the system is being tested.
Postmaster Harlow, of that city, reports
shat the plan was tried under the most un-
favorable circumstances, but he is more
than pleased with the results. Mr.. Mexican
wants to know about the size of the boxes
and their cost, 80 that he can answer all
questions correctly. Statements coming
from Washington fix the price of the boxes
at 81, which the people pay, but the post
master is not sure of it. As soon as he
hears from the Postmaster General, Mr.. Nc
Kean will get some of the boxes and have
them put on exhibition.
May Be Made ORNAMENTAL.
They are made out of cast iron and the
indications are that they won't cost more
than 81 apiece. People who use them,
however, are privileged to decorate them
as they please. A small dial on the box
will show whether there is any mail in it
or not. This will be big saving OF time
to carriers, who won't have to stop to open
them unless there are letters deposited.
Business men are not expected to use
them to any great extent. All the large
Office buildings in the city are provided
with mail chutes, and it is not any more
trouble to put letter in them than to place
it in box. Besides most offices have letter
pouches on their doors, but any business
man who wants a letter box on his door post
can have it by paying for it.
1.-THE system" said Mr.. Mexican, sis in
tended for the accommodation of people
who receive mail at their homes. 1 Judge
from the letters am receiving that the
boxes will be adopted extensively in the
suburban districts. From what / under
stand, two-thirds of the householders on a
given route must signify their desire to
have the mail boxes They can be put in
the halls or on the doorposts. The plan
Will undoubtedly save lots of time for
carriers
Saving the Carriers Time.
"The dials on the boxes will show
whether any mail has been deposited or
not. At present carriers are compelled to
ring door bells and wait for an answer, or
stoop down and push letters under the door.
This consumes time. Often the housewife
is not at home, or the servant is in the
third story making the beds. A woman
may be kneading bread, and she is sure to
stop and wash her hands before she goes to
the door. Meanwhile the carrier is wait
ing and being delayed. The letter boxes
will avoid all this trouble, and be a great
convenience to the carriers and the people,
especially the ladies. A place Is provided
in the boxes for newspapers"
Inspector Dickson could see no reason
why the boxes would not be adopted by the
average man in Pittsburg. He hasn't seen
any of them used in his territory. The adj
vantages will be great in tenement districts.
Mr.. Dickson added that people are peculiar
He has seen cases where tenants refused to
put numbers on their doors when postoffice
officials had notified them that mail would
not be delivered unless this was done. He
expects that the poor peoDle will not buy
the boxes, but there are thousands who are
willing to pay more than 81 for them.