Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-11-05
their homes, including those OF a stamp win
dow and mail box, they will write many more

iottefD>
ANOTHER POINT IN FAVOR
OF the honse-box system is that it will practi-
cally do away with the robbing Of letter boxes.
II will not be worth thiefs while to attack
private box, and, if he did so, he would proba-
bly, be caught. The business Of smashing post
boxes and fishing in them with something
sticky on the end Of string will not be profita-
bly, applicable to the private contrivances. Pat
terms Of the latter viii be made with two hori-
zontal sits in the door plate above and below
the mail slot. By this device q persons name
ana number can be put on his plate in a few
moments. each metal letter having double
tango on the back Of it like patent paper-fas-
tenor, which is thrust through the slit and
spread behind the plate. SO as to secure the
letter. The owners name is quickly spelled
ont with letters attached equidistantly along
the alt With numbers it is the same way IL
has been suggested that luminous targets shall
be used to catch the postmans eve after dark
Many builders are already introducing proyis-
lou Tor letter boxes into their specifications for
dwellings and business Offices to be erected. Il
Is anticipated that before long they will be n
feature OF the construction of houses generally.
II desired, they can be built into the wall
Some day the Post Office Department NAV
furnish boxes free. but at present 1t has no
fund for that purpose.
IN THE RURAL DlsrRfcrs
1t may be asked, where in the rural districts
does the house letter box come in? WHY. on
the fence post by the public thoroushfare,
where 1t is easily accessible to the family and to
the mounted letter carrier-the latter a bright
lad whose mother is striving to raise chickens
and half dozen fatherless children on a truck
farm The boy gets $40, perhaps S14, week
for himself and horse. riding fifteen miles
day over country roads, stopping at farm
houses, stores and blacksmith shops along the
way, and putting into each little box, fastened
securely to porch or wall, letters, newspapers
and mailed merchandise. Probably the target
Is up. his key opens the collection compart-
ment and he takes out mlssives of love and bus
mess: These go into the saddlebags and the
envelope containing 81 and request for
forty eight 2-cent stamps. two being cancelled
for the convenience afforded. is thrust into his
breast pocket as he rides away to the next place.
EVERY FREE DELIVERY TOWN
has an immense contingent rural population
dependent on its post Office for mail That
population must walk or ride to the CITY every
time it desires to post letters or to inquire for
them. No newspaper is brought to its doors
Is this business like, asks Mr.. Wanamakcr, when
an extension OF the free delivery system to this
class would actually increase the public rev.
enue! With post Office at his road gate, the
farmer would write and receive hundred-fold
more letters. In addition to his weekly coun-
try paper, he would take city daily and
ihVi'hiy uiaSdLlHe OF Two. mus he would
keep up with the affairs of the world his mind
would broaden, his methods of living would i'm
prove, his stock would be better bred and his
heids would bring forth better crops.
THE POSTAL TELEGRAPH SCHEME
These letter boxes constitute an important
feature in Mr.. Wanamaker's postal telegraph
scheme, by which every residence, factory and
office in the nation will some day be brought.
as he believes, into electrical communication
with every other residence, factory and Office.
HIS idea Is that kilograms should DO conveyed
to and from the boxes by the regular letter
carriers. For example, Mr. B. lives in San
Francisco and his wife is visiting her mother in
New York. He wishes to know by what train
she will return. Instead of going to a tele-
graph Office several blocks distant and sendinca
message at the cost of dollar or two, he
writes postal telegraph letter and drops i.
into the box in his own house Not
having stamp, he deposits with the letter 2
cents for postage and a sufficient additional sum
to cover the cost of telegraphing. low rates
having been established by the government, of
which he is informed by simple tariff sheet
pasted inside OF his letter box lid. The post
man collects the letter and delivers it to the
operator at the post Office, who telegraphs it to
the New York post office, whence it Is delivered
by the first carrier to the box on Mrs. B. g
mothers door. Mrs. b. writes q postal tele-
gram in reply and deposits it in her mothers
box. Being woman she is triie more anx-
lous to make sure of speedy delivery at tine
other end, so she puts 10 cents additional in the
box, which insures special delivery as under
the present system. On the same day Mr. b.,
in San Francisco. finds the answer to his letter
In has box and blesses the Post Office Depart
ment, having saved, incidentally, perhaps a
dollar. RENE BAcHE.