Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1902-07-31
kuDrOVeG IL, Il. ID. Boxes.
Official Order.


Washington, D. c., July 0, 1902
ORDER No. 739.
ORDERED, That III all rural free delivery
service established on and after October |,
1909, these requirements shall be observed.
Every person desiring the rural free deliv'
cry service must erect at his own cost, and
in the manner prescribed by the regulations
of the department, a box complying with the
following specifications:
MATERIAL-All square or oblong boxes
shall be made of not less than 20 standard
guagc sheet iron or sh ct steel, and galvan-
lied, the edges Of which shall I've supported
or strengthened either by folding the metal
back upon itself, or by ryetng to the edges
band iron or steel at least 16 inch IN thick
ness and at least inch in width, Or by wiz
ing with at least No, 10 gauge wire; proVid-
ed, il box be made OF q heavier material
| than 90 gauge the above requirements as TO
reinfOrcemcnts need not be observed.
Circular, semi circular or rounding boxes
shall be made Of not less than % gauge irop
or steel; provided, however, that boxes be
| made of black iron or steel, and galvanized
after they are made, they shall not be made
of lighter than "a gauge. Circular, semi
circular or rounding boxes shall have the
openings made so that there shall be no UNI
support ed edges and edges must be strength
oned by either corrugating, bending, curling
or wiring with No. 10 gauge wire, or by fold
ing the metal back upon itself, or by sup
porting by riveling to such edges band iron
at least 10 inch in thickness and at least
inch in width
WORKMANSHIP ALI boxes must be made
in the best workmanke manner, and there
must be Il joints depending solely on SOL
der to hold the different parts of the box to-
gether, but all joints must be either scanned,
curled or rivoted. Covers, lids or incase-
mcnts shall be hinged or pivotcd in strong
substantial manner. and edges OF same shall
extend down or lap over the mailholdlng
compartment for a sufficient distance, so that
when closed it will thoroughly protect the
mail from rain, snow or dust under all CIR
cumstances. All exposed parts, such as riv'
cts and hinges, must be galvanized.
SIzE,-The dimensions of rural free deliv-
cry boxes shall be- if a square or rectangular
box, not less than 1sxGx6 inches If cylindri-
cal, not less than 1S inches long and 6nches
in diameter, the capacity to be not less than
4SS cubic inches.
SHAPE Experience has shown that box.
es opening at the side or top are more con-
venient than those opening at the end
INSPECT ON. individuals or firms who
propose to manufacture rural mail boxes
shall submit sample of the box or boxes,
together with sample of the material OF
which the box is to be composed, TO the Spe-
cial Agent in Charge the Division IN whose
territory he may reside, or in whose terrific.
ry the factory may be located, for inspection
and approval. lfsaid box or boxes shall be
found to conform to the requirements and
specifications of the Department, the manu-
facturcr will be authorized TO stencil in a
conspicuous place thereon the words ZAP
proved by the Postmaster General"
DOkSS luuS uiulktu VIII uuuoi VIC
protection of that provision of the Act max.
ing appropriation for the Postal Service of
the United States for the fiscal year ending
June 80, 1908 approved April 81, 1907
which reads as follows:
"Whoever shall hereafter wilfully or ma
liciously injure, tear down or destroy any
letter box or other receptacle established by
order of the Postmaster General or approved
OF designated by him for the receipt or de-
livery Of mail matter on any rural free deliy-
cry route, or shall break open the same, or
wiliully or maliciously injure, defacc or de-
) stroy any mail matter deposited therein, or
shall wilfully take or steal such matter from
or out of such letter box or other receptacle
or shall wilfully aid or assist in any of the
aforementioned offenses, shall for every such
ofense be punished by fine of not more
,, than one thousand dollars. or by imprison'
ment for not more than three years"
! Each box must be erected by the roadside