Evening star., 1923-02-25
ny JOHN II. BARTLETT,
First AsSiHtant Post u,anter General,


The crusade of tho Post Office De-
partment for the installation of mali
boxes. or door slots at front doors OF
ell dwellings in the United States Is
not founded upon u capricious Whlnl.
Neither did it originate out of an un-
warranted desire to arbitrarily In
crease the burden of expense ol
American householders by compelling
them to buy this additional equipment
Tor their homes.
The movement is entirely in the IN
terest of good administration, SOUND
economy and the best service to the
public. Six months ago, when TINS
plan was first promulgated, ~ per
cent of the dwellings of the country
already had mail boxes or door Slots
- facilitate the delivery of mails.
The question naturally arose that IL
40 per cent of the American people
had provided receptacleS at their
homes. why shouldn't the other 30 per
cent likewise comply? The result
was a decision to start campaign
with this object III view of Inducing
the delinquent 80 per cent to supply
this deficiency, giving them a reason
which to install such receptacles.
There is no intention at all upon the
part of the Post Office Department OF
shutting off any patrons mail. On
the contrary, the question involved Is
whether dwellerS in the various cities
want to have their mail delivered at
their front doors or whether they pre-
fer to call at the post office to get it.
Sees Saving in Change.
Not only will the installation of
these convenienceS ut the homes of
all citizens result in the saving of
millions of dollars to the government
annually, but the public Will reap un-
told benefits and countless hours of
time now spent in anSW erinS door
bells when letter carriers call to de-
liver mail will no longer be wasted.
That the Post Office Department has
ample legal authority upon which to
regulate under what conditions mail
shall be delivered by letter carriers
is undisputed. The statute inaugu-
rating free delivery of mail matter
specifically states that the Postmaster
General may establish receiving boxes
for the deposit of mail matter, and
another law specifically authorizes
the head of each department of the
government to prescribe regulations
not Inconsistent with the law for the
government of his department, the
distribution and performance OF its
business.
Acting under the broad authority
OF this statute, the Postmaster Gen.
eral has from time to time pre-
scribed certain requirements for the
establishment and maintenance OF city
delivery service. Some OF these re-
uuirementS are that there shall be
good continuous sidewalks and cross
walks: that the streets shall be deS-
lgnated by signs and properly light
ed: that the places of business and
houses shall be numbered; that recep-
taCleS shall be provided for the de-
posit of mail by carriers, and that
service will not be extended to sec
tionS in which less than 80 per cent
of the building lots are improved and
houses occupied.
Contribute to Efficiency.
All of these requirements contribute
to the efficiency of the service and
most Of them have been in force for
many years. Private mail receptacleS
nave been required as condition
precedent to tho establishment and
extension Of city delivery service
Since 1910. When this requirement
WAS put in force there were, of course,
many buildings in cities where the
service WAS already established with
out either Il door slot or receptacle.
Since it's adoption the del artmcnt has
Constantly eudeavored, through new s.
PAPER publicity ana personal solicita-
tion by pOStmaSterS and carriers, to
have all buildings equipped with re-
ccltaCleS. As a result of continued
efforts on August 10, 1922. more than
30 per cent of all dwellings, in city
delivery territory We're provided with
O receptacle of some character
Without receptacle it is necessary
for the carrier to ring the bell or
knock and await response. Though