The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1911-09-26

tanned, at large cost and at the ex
pense Of more efficient service.
Along same lines is submitted the
statement Of patron, the secretary
OF the Houston Business League, who
/ to secure the extension of the city
! free delivery to his residence was re,
quired first to provide a mail box, al.
though near neighbors had not been
put to this trouble or expense, viz:
MY Dear Mr.. Strong:
Referring to the matter of mail
delivery and the question of methods
which would facilitate that work, It
is my opinion that the use of mail
boxes would not only expedite the de-
livery of mail but would make its de-
livery more accurate, at the same time
! lessening the work of the carrier and
relieving the householders of any
anxiety regarding the handling Of
mail matter, both in and outbound.
Personally, l am very much in
favor of the use of mail boxes and
trust that the system will be univer-
sally adopted in our city.
Yours very truly,
"(Signed.) ADOLPH BOLDT."
The Department circular of Septem-
Der 1, 1910, to postmasters, together
with the circular accompanying it for
the use of postmasters in securing
the cooperation of patrons in provid-
ing private mail boxes, completes the
argument from the official" view
point in the matter of benefit to the
free delivery service, affecting the
government and the patrons alike.
Without any aid heretofore, as is
now promised with the supplying Of
Circular No. 1907 for the use of post
masters, the erecting of mail re.
| ceptacles by patrons has only been
secured by personal solicitation by
ipostmasters, supervisory employees in
the city delivery service and by car
riers.
In the city l represent, having a
population of $4,000 within it's cor
porate limits-sixteen square miles
and a suburban population of 5000 or
more, according to the recent census,
server by city carriers from the Hous-
ton postoffice-we have secured the
provision of private mail receptacles
at about twenty per cent of the build
ings-this does not include slots in
doors in office buildings to which
special attention has been given.
With assistance from the Depart.
ment several years ago, it is believed
this percentage could have been very
largely increased. The people have
had immunity from any form of direct
taxation for so long a period, in con-
Inection with free delivery service
that many now look upon it rs a
vested right" and if the Department
thinks it beneficial to the service that
they should have mail receptacles,
then the Government should furnish
them. The 'paternalism" practicei
for so many years by the Government
in connection with free delivery" has
born its legitimate fruit, selishness
and opposition. The remedy is a de-
termined stand by the Post Office De-
partment, which should be supported
by any necessary legislation to re-
quire of beneficiaries of the service
this small and only contribution 10
economy and greater efficiency.
If it be argued that there are other
and Xpensive-requirem as d
consideration to the establishment of
| free delivery service imposed upon
the people, the answer is that all OF
them-drainage, pavements, side.
walks, street crossings, street light,
street signs and house numbers are
strictly necessary civil or community
Improvements, esser tial to the gen
eral comfort, convenience and vel
fare, independent altogether of mai
delivery and cannot in any sense be
legitimately charged to it.
Therefore-in the final analysis
the one sole, lone condition or ta>
imposed upon the individual patron il
return for the inestimable blessing o
city free delivery at the door is tho
provision of a box at or a slot in the
door.
The bill submitted to the last Con
gress should be renewed and every
possible legitimate means be brought
to bear to secure favorable action.
\ SETH B. STRONG, P. NJ,
Houston, Texas