Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1915-09-23
Keeping Mail Under Lock And Key.

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protect the United States governments
letters while in transit. The department
makes and keeps in repair not only all of
these locks, but all fastening devices used
in the mail service. Previous 10 1889
everything OF this nature was furnished
and repaired by contract at great ex-
pense. In that year il was decided to re-
pair the locks, and small shop was in
stalled at Washington. After expert
menting while il was found that the de-
partment could do the work not only
cheaper than by contract, but better. The
following year it was decided to enter into
the manufacture of locks, keys, and mail
bag attachments, as it was believed it
would be great advantage to the de-
partment to have IFS own shop where
orders could be filled more promptly and
with less danger OF keys getting into the
hands OF those not entitled TO them.
From the small room equipped with one
drillpress and one stamping machine and
employing half dozen workmen the shop
has grown until now il is complete tac-
tory, equipped with tools and machinery
necessary for the converting OF sheet steel
and brass and other material into locks
and keys and the many other attach
ments that are made. Among other fea-
lures, the present factory contains press
room with IA stamping machines, lock-
finishing and assembling room, a miscel-
laneous room where cord fasteners are
assembled and other equipment made, a
department where hundreds OF postal
scales are repaired, and a Timing plant
where all mailbag attachments are timed
TO prevent ruSting.
Shortly after the shop was established
a defect was found in the mail lock, and
steps were taken 10 design a lock which
could not be Jared open, with the result
that the Eagle" lock, later called the
"Double Star" lock, was designed. More
than ,0O0, 900 of these locks have been
made and put into service since that time.
Although this Eagle lock has given the
best service of any lock ever used on
mail bags, it is now being gradually
withdrawn on account OF its weight, and
replaced by still later lock known as the
"La," weighing only 2 4-5 ounces, or
about one-half the weight OF the Double
Star and costing less than one-half as
much to manufacture. AS the carrying
OF the mails is paid for by weight, the La
lock will result in large saving 10 the
government in transportation cost, be-
sides which much time will be saved in
the locking and unlocking. This is an
important feature, especially with the
railway post-office clerks, where every
moment counts.
One OF the most important and inter
esting locks in use in the postal service
S the registered-mail lock, commonly
called the "rotary." This lock is equip
ped with registering mechanism having
four dials, each numbering from 0 to 9,
which indicates the number OF times it is
unlocked. Each is also provided with a
serial number stamped on the outside OF
the case, no two bearing the same NUM-
Der. Pouches containing registered mail
are locked with these and record kept
of both the serial number Of the lock
and the registered number as shown on
the diaIs. If any lock reaches its desti-
nation showing different number on the
dials il is at once known that il has been
tampered with. AS each clerk who
handles the pouch is required TO receipt
for the same, it is practically impossible
to tamper with the contents OF the pouch
without detection. These locks were
formerly made with cast cases and were
purchased by the government at $50
each. An improved case. which is drawn
from sheet brass, has been designed by
employees OF the shop. 1t makes a lock
OF much neater appearance and lighter in
weight, at cost of 90 cents each. Saw
ings such as this have been made all
along the line.