The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1918-07-25

After moving nine times in the past
sixty years, the Skowhegan postotfice
is in permanent quarters in as mod
ern an office as can be found. The
photograph, taken from the roof OF
fhe Municipal Building, across the
street. shows its location at the cor
ner of Water North and Cross streets.
In the distance, the Court House may
be easily seen. The home at the left
Is owned by Charles Young and A. E.
Bjsspn and is occupied by DR.. George
E. Young and family Mrs. Marilla
Harmon lives in the house at the
rear of the Young house.
The contractors were ". H. Ffssell
& Co. of New York and much of the
work was sub let The great amount
of room makes the handling of the
mails a much easier process but it is
not only room that counts, for the
equipment is of the very latest, so
look in the new office gives an i'm
mediate idea of efficiency In the
former locations, safe has protect
ed the governments valuables to the
extent of its capacity. 1t was most
inadequate, however, and the bank
vault had to be used for the storing
OF surplus stamps, cts. This incon-
yenience is done away with now, for
the new building has two excellent
vaults. In short, it is difficult for
one to see any of the fixtures used in
the former office. New desks, tables
and racks have taken the place of
the old ones The lock boxes, and
there are three sizes of them, are
most attractive. Besides the office
of the Postmaster, there are two
rooms on the street floor. One of
these is devoted to War Savings,
Money Orders, and Registry, there be-
ing a window for each of these de-
partments, and the other is for the
sorting of mail Here there are
three stamp windows, one for Parcel
Post and a General Delivery window.
Over the windows, and over the
boxes as WELL on the inside, is a
row of electric lights, two to win
dow These, together with the large
skylight, insure the best of light both
night and day
Probably two of the things that
seem the most extraordinary to the
postoffice force are the new time clock
and the water cooler. Ice kept on the
coils of the latter makes it possible
to get the most refreshing drink OF
water imaginable, that is not ice
water Yes, that is fine and OF
course it Is greatly appreciated but
just look down stairs. There Is
where the weary carrier is sure to
get satisfaction after a long trip in
the sun for a fine shower bath has
become part of the plumbing and in
the winter when the water might be
as cool as the drinking water just
mentioned, small fire in a heater,
aside from the main boiler, will solve
the problem. The lavatories and
carriers room are just as modern as
possible.
At the rear of the building is a
hitch rail for the rural carriers and
the ground is covered with a thick
coat of cement. The American Ex-
press Co. has charge of the arrival
and departure OF mails and a large
door in the rear again adds to the ef-
hciency and Is most marked in com
parison with the custom followed in
previous locations All in all 1t Is a
strictly modern building. from the
tablet near the entrance bearing the
inscription:
William G. McAdoo
Secretary of the Treasury
James A. Wetmore
Acting Supervising Architect
1916
TO the flag pole flying Old Glory.
In connection with the recent re-
mnval 80 ~. -~-k omoo uriIl he Ut