Danville intelligencer. [volume] (Danville, Pa.) 1859-1907, 1906-09-07
USE OF RURAL
MAIL BOXES

regulations of the post Office depart
ment in regard to rural delivery mail
boxes. In order that all the patrons of
the Danville routes may understand
the regulations of the department the
rural delivery service box regula-
tions" issued July 26th. 1906 are Civ
en- below
In accordance with the several ord
ers of the postmaster general upon the
subject, the following regulations con-
cerning the manufacture, sale and
use of rural delivery mail boxes must
be observed:
Each person desiring the rural de-
livery 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:
OBLONG OR RECTANGULAR.
Material. l.-Galvanized sheet iron
or sheet steel of not less than 20 gauge.
Size, not less than Is by 6 by 6 inches
The edges must be supported by
folding the metal back upon itself, or
by riveting to band iron or steel at
least one-sixteenth inch in thickness
and at least one-half inch in width, or
by wiring with not less than No. 10
gauge wire. Boxes made of heavier
material than 90 gauge need not be re-
inforced.
CIRCULAR, SEMICIRCULAR OR
ROUNDING BOXES.
Observation-Disclosures sheet iron or
sheet steel of not less than 22 gauge.
Where black iron or steel is used, and
galvanized after boxes are made. not
less than 24-gauge metal shall be used
Size, not less than IS inches long by
inches in diameter.
"The edges must be supported and
strengthened by corrugating, bending
or curling or by wiring with No. 10
gauge wire, or by folding metal back
upon itself, or by supporting by rivet-
ing to such edges band iron at least
one-sixteenth inch in thickness and
one half inch i'll width.
CONSTRUCTION AND WORKMAN
SHIP.
"All boxes must be made in work
manlike manner; no joints depending
solely on solder but all joints either
scanned; curled OF riveted; covers,
lids or incasements hinged or pivoted
in strong, substantial manner, and
edges of same to extend down or lap
over the. mail holding compartment, so
as to thoroughly protect the mail from
rain, snow or dust in all conditions of
weather all exposed parts, such as
rivets hinges to be galvanized. Aper-
lures in rural mail boxes, to de-
posit mail without unlocking boxes,
should be made small enough, or pro-
tected by some device, to prevent the
improper abstraction of mail
''No box shall be approved for use
on rural routes which is not provided
with substantial signal, which, al
though it may be comparatively sim
pie and inexpensive, is durable and
so designed and attached as to fully
serve the purpose of indicating wheth-
er or not there is mail in the box.
PATRONS.
patrons who desire to do so may
make or have made for their own use
boxes conforming to the specifications
herein set forth by submitting plan of
such boxes and sample of material of
which they are to be constructed, or
the boxes themselves, for approval to
the postmaster at post office located
at the county seat. If said boxes shall
be found to conform to the require
ments of the specifications of the de-
partment, the postmaster shall author
ize the owners to paint or stencil in a
conspicuous place on the boxes the
words approved by the postmaster
general. "
"The following inscriptions only are
permitted to appear on approved boxes,
viz:
(a) The name of owner and number
of box.
OBJ Name and address of manufac-
turer, inconspicuously placed
(c) The words "Approved by the
Each box must be erected by the
road side, so that carrier can easily
obtain access to it without deviating
from route or dismounting from his
vehicle.
"Postmasters will report to the
fourth assistant postmaster general the
::omes of all patrons maintaining in
appropriate, unsafe and unsuitable
boxes, indicating kind and size of box,
name of manufacturer if known and
date of erection also the names of pa
irons who use boxes improperly err
ected ON routes. Service must not be
with drawn from any box now being
served without specific instructions
from the department.
"Persons refusing to comply with
the conditions herein set forth will be
regarded as not desiring rural delivery
and the rural carrier will be direct
ed not to serve them.
"More than one family, but not more
than five families, may be permitted
to use the same box, provided written
notice of agreement to that effect, sign
ed by the head of each family, is filed
with the postmaster at the distribut-
ing office.
"While not an absolute requirement
the use of locks is encouraged as a
protective measure, If patrons provide
boxes with locks the carriers must be
furnished with keys, and will ~nlock