Las Vegas optic., 1914-08-24

" I'm OrluScs dCiOss the river connect
ing the two municipalities, thus MAX
ing in fact a single population of
about 10000 people. but divided into
separate municipalities There is
postoffice west of the river named
Las Vegas. The postoffices are about
half a mile apart. On railroad and
other maps of the country both town
and city are designated by the name
Las Vegas.
The mail for East Las Vegas is
largely in excess of that for Las We
gas. Native and Mexican population
constitute more than three-fourths of
the population, not a twelfth part on
the East side.
Mail for business men and institu-
tions of East Las Vegas should be
so addressed, but as a matter of ac-
tnal practice, owing to the fact that
the name Las Vegas appears on most
maps. letters, newspapers and parcels
ere addressed Las Vegas, overlook
ing the fact that the name of the post
office is different from that of the
city; so a large number of business
and social letters which should be ad.
dressed East Las Vegas go to the
posioffice at Las Vegas, half mile
distant from the place intended.
"'There is no carrier service at Las
'9eas, and in the usual course of
business inhabitants of East Las We
gas are compelled to make daily trips
over the half mile Intervening be-
| tween the two postoffices to make
sure of their mail, or to rely on the
exchange of mail between the two
Offices, which cannot, even with the
utmost care, be done with any GER
tainty. An effort is being made to
that end. but it leads to continual
confusion. These instructions by
addressors are so frequent that the
people on the East side. especially
business men, are continually at great
Inconvenience. The same is true, only
in a less degree, of those living on
the West side, as letters intended for
Las Vegas are frequently addressed
TO East Las Vegas
Recently I caused a count to be
kept at this office of the letters di-
rocted to Las Vegas and returned here
for delivery. The average of letters
vas by actual count over 700 daily,
end in newspapers and parcels a very
large number. This average will con-
tinue for the year daily and at holiday
seasons in increased numbers.
"The foregoing gives slight idea
of the great confusion, delay and en-
barrassment, both in social and busi-
ness affairs, that is daily arising as
the result of these unfortunate con-
ditions. They emphasize most clearly
the necessity for. early action to
/ ChAONy tAO oAtUdtlOtA
"a long time ago the people of the
two communities agreed the neces-
sary thing was the erection of a fed
eral building for postoffice and other
public uses ait a place reasonably
convenient for both sides of the river.
To that end steps were taken and
an appropriation was secured for the
construction of a federal building. In
February, 1914, Mr.. ]. H. Fleming,
federal site inspector from the depart
ment, came to select and determine
definitely the location. that title to
the property selected might be Sc
cured and work begun. To this date
nothing further seems to have been
done. The entire population of about
10000 people are impatient and rest
| less at delay. They note that at AL
buquerque and Roswell, where such a
building is not SO much needed. one
has been erected for each city. Our
merchants, banks and business men
especially have long been annoyed and
discommoded by our anomalous con-
ditions, which can be relieved only by
the early construction of the federal
building. Upon the necessity of inn
mediate action our people are unit,
and anxious. Our situation constitutes
such an extremeb exception to usual
conditions that they feel that action
for their relief should be taken at
the first possible moment.
"The people Of the West side are
anxious for the carrier service they
will get by the new building and the
consolidation of the two offices.
Very respectfully,
gas-., "{Signed) e. v. LONG, P. NJ"