The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-07-23

After thirty years service as a mail carrier, c. A. Merritt will be retired un- der the government employees retirement bill recently enacted by Congress
 He is the oldest carrier at the local of- flee and declared his work had always been very pleasant. One of the most exciting things that ever occurred on his stated, when he was collecting mali and came by the Peerless saloon, which was located on Second avenue and Nine teenth street, where three men had just been killed.
 Mr. Merritt came to Birmingham in 1885 from Cleveland. Ohio. and entered the postal service in 1890. at which time Robert Houston was postmaster. There were only eleven carriers and about six clerks employed at the Birmingham post office, which was located on Third ave nue and Nineteenth street, in the old Smith building. which is now occupied by the Woolworth Company
 In 1891 the present building was com pleted, and even this has been too small for years
 FIRST ROUTE
 My first route was mounted one, ' said Mr. Merritt, and started at Five Points, going around the city to Behren' E Park; thence to Elyton and winding up at Fountain Heights. This territory is now divided into about twelve routes. At Christmas time, I could get all the packages into box about four feet square, but this same district now re- quires three or four drays and ten extra substitutes to get out the presents. This will give some idea of the marvellous growth of Birmingham during the past thirty years"
 During the time he has been connected with the local office, MT. Merritt stated that boys for the special delivery depart ment had been installed It was former ly the duty. of the man stamping the mail to deliver special delivery letters when he had completed his work at the postoffice, he said, and in many instances the mail carriers had passed the home to which the special delivery letter was sent before it was delivered. So many hanges have been made in the way Of handling the mail. he declared, and each was to insure better service for the pun lie. The stamping machine and much other modern equipment to facilitate the handling of mail has been installed at the local office and this is a splendid as sistance in giving efficient service in Bir- mingham.
 CLEAN LIVING
 MT Merritt attributes his ability to hold down his position so long. being at the present time 67 years of age, to the fact that he has always been strict prohibitionist and does not smoke.
 My years of employment have passed very pleasantly. he said, -and as I have gotten along so we'll with tht office force would just as soon stay right on and have made application for two more years of service. Don't know whether the ap- plication will be allowed. but I feel tha. am capable of doing my work effi- ciently for that period.
 Birmingham has a splendid postmas- ter in R. B. Smyer- and one which she should be proud of. Under his direction he has one Of the best organized forces n the country and the efficient manner n which the mail is handled in this city s largely due to this fact"
 MT. Merritt now has route No. lz1, which begins at the Bijou theater and goes as ar as the car barn. and from Second to Fifth avenues. He has five children and ives at Woodlavn.