Putnam patriot., 1915-04-02
CHANGE OF
P0STMASTERSHIP
Gilman Succeeds Letters Who Has Held
Office Twepty fears
Great Development OF oeaI Office Under
Retiring Postmaster

Great Development OF oeaI Office Under
Retiring Postmaster
Frank &. Letters retired Wednesday
evening from the office Of postmaster
Of Putnam, position he has held with
credit for more than twenty years and
this Thursday morning Alexander Gil
mnn, Putnam's new democratic post
master, assumed charge Of the Office,
Mr. Letters is entitled to be rated as
one Of the most efficient postmasters of
New England. He has given Putnam
the very best service possible at all
times, and during the early days of
his incumbency did not hesitate TO
spend his own money in making i'm.
provements that would facilitate the
collection and delivery Of mail. lie
has held the office under five different
presidents, republicans and democrats,
aud appointments from adminislra-
tions Of both great political parties.
Under Postmaster Letters the Put.
nam office developed its rnting from
third class and with business of ap.
pfoximately IS 900 year TO its present
standing with business Of more than
sls,000 during the last fiscal year. No
administration that preceded Mr.. Let
lers WINS marked by such growth or
expansion and addition of depart
ments, and conditions were such, rs to
widening Of the Held Of operations Of
the postoiilee department, during his
years in office, that it is not likely that
as many or as important changes VIII
be witnessed under any future admin.
istration, excepting rs to growth Of
| business, which may be limited only
by Putnam's own growth and develop
ment.
Under Mr. Letters the city delivery
service, the rural free delivery service,
the postal SAVINGS department and the
parcel post were instituted-iouf great
development steps. Today the Put
nam office is the hub In a WEB Of mail
delivery lines fadiating from this city.
The years that marked the ending of
Mr.. Letters long term of office also
witnessed the forwarding Of the move.
ment, rs well as It's inception, for toe
building Of q federal postoiliee build
ing here, bat unlooked.for delays have
prevented The construction OF the
building for The time being.
Mr.. Letters received his first APP
pointment MS postmaster, as demo
crai, from President Grover Cleveland,
Aug. >, 1891. lie took charge Of the
postotiice on Oct. LIST of that year. AT
that time, the office being of the third
elass, the postm aster was expected to
furnish the Office equipment, Mr.
Letters purchased the old fixtures
from his predecessor, removed them
and installed new and up to.date
equipment containing about l,000 lock
and call boxes, with separate windows
for the transaction OF money order,
registry, box and stamp business.
During the first year of Mr.. Letters
administration city collection system
WIS INSTALLED. Twelve street letter
boxes were erected and maintained al
the postmaster's expense and addition
al clerks secured 10 facilitate the de-
livery aud despatch of mails.
Mr.. Letters WAS reeppointed by
President Mckinley Jan. l., 1898,
again by Theodore Roosevelt, Feb. 4,
1908, ana again by President Roosevelt
FEB :, 1907 His nfgh commission as
postmaster WAS issued b. President
William Howard TAFT Feb. 5, 1911
This last appointment has carried Mr..
Letters through the tlrsl half OF Presi-
dent wilson administration
Rural delivery route No from the
Putnam postotiiee was among the
early routes started in CONNECTICUT, be
iag instituted June 1, 1901, Always
keeping a watehful eye on the office
. aud lis business. Mr.. Letters awaited
The opportunity for the establishment
OF route No. ., witch was brought
about on FEB. Is, 1905, followed by the
addition Of routes No, and No. 1.
Dec. i, laos, and making this city an
important mail center for the district.
The rural routes serve 5l5 families
composed of Elias persons aud cover
distance north, east, south and west of