The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-09-10

Persons desiring the service of the ru- ral free mall delivery, soon to be estab- ushed in Montgomery and other counties in Alabama, must provide themselves with mall boxes conforming to the regu- lations of the government. For the accommodat on of it's readers The Advertiser has s,,ured . large ship me1t of boxes of t..s required specifica- tions which will be finished to persons subscribing for the paper The follow ing order rom the Postofice Department explains the necessity of man Vrder boxes and how to get them:
 'Offlce of the Postmaster General, Washington, D. C., July 9, 1902. Order No. Ss9.
 Ordered. that in all rural free deiv-, cry service estabIished on and after October 1. 1902, these requirements shall be observed:
 Each person desiring the rural free delivery service must erect at his own cost, and in the manner prescribed by the regulations of the department, a box complying with the following speci- fications: Ht -.t
 ''Material-An square or oblong boxes shall be made of not less than 20 stand ard gauge sheet iron or sheet steel and galvanized. the edges of which shall be supported or strengthened either by folding the metal back upon itself. or by riveting to the edges band iron or steel at least 1-1s inch in thickness and at least No. 10 gauge wire; provided if a box be made of heavier material than 20 gauge. the above requirements as to achievements need not be observed Circular, semi-circular or rounding boxes shall be made of not less than 22 gauge iron or steel; provided. however, that should boxes be made of black iron or steel, and galvanized after they are made. they shall not be made of lighter than 24 gauge. Circular semi-circular or rounding boxes shall have the openings made SO that there shall be no unsup- ported edges; and edges shall be strength ened by either corrugating bending. curling or wiring with No. 10 gauge wire. or by folding the metal back upon itself, or by supporting by riveting to such edges band iron at least 1-16 inch in thickness and at least 1-2 inch in width
 'workmanship.-An boxes must be made in the best workmanlike manner. and there must be no joints depending solely on solder to hold the different parts of the box together. but all joints must be either scanned, curled or rivet- ed. Covers, lids of incasements shall be hinged or pivoted in a strong, substantial manner. and edges of same shall extend down or lap over the mail holding com pertinent for sufficient distance so that when closed it will thoroughly protect the mail from rain, snow or dust under all circumstances. All exposed parts. such as rivets and hinges, must be gal vanized.
 "size-The dimensions of rural free de- livery boxes shall be. If square or rec tanguiar box, not less than 1sx6x6 inches: if cylindrical. not less than IS inches long and 6 inches in diameter. the ca- pacity to be not less than 4sS cubic inches.
 "Shape-Experience has shown that boxes opening at the side or top are more convenient than those opening at the end.
 "Inspection-Individual 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 com posed. to the special agent n charge of the division in whose territory he may reside, or in whose territory the factory may be located for inspection and approval. If said box or boxes shall be found to conform to the requirements and specifica- tions of the department, the manufacturer will be authorized to stencil in a con- spicuous place thereon the words "Ap- proved by the Postmaster General"
 Boxes thus marked will come under the protection of that provision of the, Act making appropriation for the postal service of the United States for the fiscal year ending June 30. 1903 (approved April q. 1s02), which reads as follows:
 Whoever shall hereafter willfully or maliciousiy injure. tear down or destroy