The Washington herald., 1911-08-20

Washington tomorrow Is to have a
demonstration of the efficiency and prac-
ticability of the new patent device, de-
signed to be attached to street railway
cars for the rapid collection of city mail.
Postmaster Merritt has arranged with
George B. McAllister, the inventor, to
test the system on the lexington branch
of the Washington Railway and Electric
Company near the lexington barn.
A car used for purposes of demonstra-
tion will be run along Fourth street
northeast, between Rhode Island and
Michigan avenues. Besides Mr.. Merritt
and ]. T. Moffett superintendent of
transportation of the railway company.
many prominent business men of the
city, government officials, and repre-
sentatives Of the Board Of Trade and
Chamber of Commerce are expected to
attend the test. The system has met
with such success in other cities that
Mr.. Merritt thinks the invention de-
serves serious consideration. II found to
be as successful as the inventor claims
it to be, the postmaster will probably
install the system for permanent use in
the city.
DO2 SAeVeTAy
The mail collecting device is metal
box, which is attached to the right hand
side of the car, near the front. The
box has q long, narrow opening in the
top, with sloping sides, constructed at
such a pitch that letters will slide into
the box, regardless of the number placed
on the top, or the manner II which they
- 40 81, q,
that the top Of the box has an opening.
1t is impossible for the contents of the
receptacle to become wet Rain. snow,
hail-none Of the elements can possibly
reach the letters. To demonstrate this
Mr.. McAllister pours bucket Of water
into the slot, and to the surprise OF
spectators, the contents Of the box upon
inspection are found to be entirely
dry.
Upon its face this statement seems abb
surd. and persons who actually witness
the demonstration attribute the miracu-
lous experiment to some sleight-of-hand
manipulation. but the mechanism upon
investigation is found to be the em-
problems In the difficult and complex.
of nearly all useful inventions. persons
wonder why they did not think of the
simple 6FTduScincAis DSNS. -
ways be found that II takes genius to
discover the simple and obvious: the
average person seeks the solution OF
problems in the difficult and somplex.
The top OF the box ID made Of copper
ribs. which split and shed the drops
of water SO rapidly that none can pos
sibly collect to wet letter placed upon
the skeleton framework. Within the
box and beneath the opening Is gutter
which catches most Of the water that
may enter. The pitch OF the box top
shoots inserted letters over the gutter
onto another slanting framework Of cop
per ribs. Any water which might be
blown to the Tar side Of the box on
entering the slot Is shed from this
framework into. another gutter, below.
The letters slide from this second set
OF ribs onto the bottom Of the box.
where II Is impossible for water 70 be
spiashed. The device has been subjected
70 severe tests IN rain ana snow storms,
ana has always been found entirely re-
liable. = &
"Details . systen.
1t is intended that persons desiring to.
post their letters uss the box At street
crossings where the cars stop. No time
win be lost By the ear, - per-
sons can readily without danger de-
post letters while ths car Il IN motion.
This Il not advisod. hoWVver. ~ railway
on|cials. ana if tho system y adopted
WARNINGS e - ekeee ~i1l + peeted -