Little Falls herald. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1889-1950, 1912-05-17

6 - How would you ike to be the mail

each STONE ~. tho roadway: and the
stumps Oh: the side become Old &C.
lqueintances, You will decide that it is,
indeed, q wearisome task, says Henry
sHe1hert Huff lin Successful ,fafmings
lIa lfy5you want To- ice the .'t other .siae''
of the rural carrier g life, come along
some day When-xmud-a and water make
the roads almost impossible or face 4
binding Snow storm steadily for twenty.
I'VE miles and you II; thank yourself
that, you are not the mail man.
- But somebody has to be helmail man
and you can help to- add cheer to his
I daily journey and lessen his labors by
observing, the suggestions to- follow.
The Box.-The postal laws require
that every family before receiving mail
BY rural delivery shall erect q suit
able mail box. A list of makes of mail
boxes that have received the recon-
1nendation Of the postmaster general
may be seen at your postoffice. 1t is
strongly recommended that the box: be
provided with lock and key. IF more
than one family is to receive mail in
the same box, an agreement to that ef-
feet must be given in writing to the
postmaster. : ~: -.:s.:... .~.u:-4
The Location.-Place the box where
It will be most CONVENIENT for the car
rler: It must be so situated and of
,,such height that mail can be deposited
or removed without leaving tho Wagon.
Attach the box firmly to::a good solid
post. Avoid setting, the post on a hill
(ld9. 81 II any position that will mako
liz difficult OF dangerous for the carrier
to drive up closely TO It Ii all kinds of
weather. The easier you make the car
rier $ work, the more prompt his de-
iveries will be. g.. -.
The use of the Box-See that the
door works easily at all times. Often
IN cold weather the door freezes shut
and the carrier does not enjoy pound.
ing it open with half frozen fingers.
Keep the snow off the mail box and
shovel it away from the post.
1t is much easier for the carrier to
remove letters deposited in the box for
mailing if you will set them on end
near the door instead of tossing them
loosely on the bottom of the box. The
postal laws require that money for
stamps be placed in little cup or box,
instead of being thrown carelessly in
the mail box, causing the carrier con-
tsiderable loss Of time and bother in
pulling it out. Any such help incon-
veniences the patron but little, yet is
OF material assistance in improving the
service. :>~.
The Use of Signals.-Be sure that
fyour mail box is equipped with good
signal, as this feature is of great i'm
iportance to the carrier. Raise the
signal when you place matter for mail
ing in the box in order that the car
rier will be sure to stop for it, even
though he should have no mail for
you. It is the carrier 8 duty to raise
the signal; if it is not already UP, when
1; he leaves mail. You should then low
Fer it SO the carrier win not see it UP
! and stop needlessly, on his next trip.
The rate of postage on matter 20:
ing on rural routes is exactly the same
as though it were going to the further
most point in the United States
there are no reduced rates Of any
kind, Letters require postage at the
rate of two cents an ounce or fraction
thereof. A letter, properly stamped,
, may be picked up at any place along
the route, to be. delivered to party
farther along the route.
Carriers are permitted to c&fry par:
GELS for their patrons and charge for
this service, provided that it does not
interfere with their regular work.
However, any matter they may carry
that is subject to be paid in the regu-
lar way. An article of merchandise
weighing less than four pounds is SUBJ
ject to postage. This means if you
ask the carrier to get you spool of
thread and bring it on his next trip,
you must send money for postage on
it, at the rate of one cent an ounce.
However, should you ask him to bring
a suit case, or any article weighing
more than four pounds or not coming
under any of the postal rates, there
will be no charge except such as the
carrier may ask for doing the favor
. Carriers must not (or anyone else,
under penalty place circulars, bills
or other matter in mail boxes unless
prepaid at a proper rate. The gov
eminent means business on this pro.
position and will punish those who are
caught violating this regulation. More
over, any matter that is placed in a
rural mail box must bear the name Of
the person who is to receive it. I'm.
addressed matter, though properly
stamped, cannot be placed in mail
boxes by rural carriers.
Do not delay your mail man in any
way, unless with hot cup of coffee or
something. He has a certain sched-
ule to make, and as patrons expect him
lat a certain time it is injurious to the
service needlessly to be delayed. An
exchange of greetings or pleasant
word is very proper, but to detain him
with gossip or lengthy conversation
1 should be avoided. Do not ask the
carrier to wait while you 6ddfess a
letter or make out an application for d
money order. Instead keep a supply Of
stamped envelopes always on hand and
get some money order applications so
; that you may have your applications
filled out when the carrier arrives. A
supply Of envelopes will necessitate a
very small investment and the blank
applications are furnished gratis. Buy
iyour stamp supplies direct from the
carrier, instead Of at the postoffice ii
i order that the carrier may get credit
for the sales. The government. keeps