San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1923-02-25
Postoffice Department to
Insist on Provision Against
Waste Of Time by Its De-
livery-Affects 800 Fam
lilies. -.ss.

-
Notwithstanding the strenuous eff
forts that have been pet forth by the
Postoffice Department to induce every
patron to place mail receptacles in
front of his residence, there are at
least 800 homes in San Antonio not
provided with mail boxes, according to
an estimate by Postmaster I. u.
Lucas.
The San Antonio postoffice has re-
ceived instructions lately from the
postmaster generals office in Wash
ington, ordering postmasters to use dis
cretion in the administration of the
postal ruling that all residences be
equipped with mail boxes as a
prerequisite to carrier delivery.
In pursuance to the instructions
from Washington, Postmaster Lucas
is now engaged in preparing a letter
10 be mailed TO all patrons whose res
licences are not equipped with mail re-
ceptacles. In the meantime, deliv-
cries will be continued to those places
until the postmaster has an opportun-
ity to attempt the art of persuasion.
The first ruling from headquarters
in Washington was TO the effect that
mail addressed to residences not pro-
vided with receptacles by February 1,
would be held in the general de-
livery. The time limit was later
moved up to February 10, and now
has been indefinitely postponed, Mr..
Lucas said.
"My belief is that at a later date,
the mail carriers will be instructed to
turn in the names of all patrons on
their routes who have no receptacles.
This list will be forwarded TO Wash
ington, and letters will be sent d.
rectly from the department headquar-
tiers notifying the patrons that they
must provide receptacles or that they
viii be compelled to receive their mail
through the general delivery"
Purpose Of the Movement.
In a statement prepared for the
press, John RI. Bartlett, first assistant
postmaster general, tells of the pur-
pose and scope of the new regulation
as follows:
"The crusade Of the Postoffiee De
partment for the installation of mail
boxes or door-slots at front doors of
all dwellings in the United States is
not founded upon a capricious within.
Neither did it originate out of an I'M
warranted desire to arbitrarily in
crease the burden of expense of Amer
lean householders by compelling them
10 buy this additional equipment for
their homes.
"The movement Is entirely In the
interest of good administration, sound
economy and the best service to the
public. Six months ago when this
plan was first promulgated 20 per
cent Of the dwellings of the country
already had mail boxes or door-slots
to facilitate the delivery of mails.
The question naturally arose that If
20 per cent Of the American people
had provided receptacles at their
homes, why shouldn't the other 80 per
cent likewise comply? The result was
p decision to start a campaign with
this object in view, of inducing the
delinquent 30 per cent to supply this
deficiency, giving them a reasonable
and ample period of time in which to
install such receptacles.
In some quarters the idea prevails
that this is No box-no mali pro-
position. Nothing could be. more err
roneous. There is no intention at
all upon the part Of the Post Office
. Department of shutting off any pat
ron's 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 prefer to call at the
post office to get It. They may, of
course, choose either alternative. If
they want their mail delivered, all
I they have to do is to put up a
receptacle at their front door. II not,
! they may forego the installation Of
Z the receptacle and call at the post
office and their mail will be waiting
there for them.
z Saving on Both Sides.
Not only will the installation of
these conveniences at the homes OF all
citizens result in the saving Of mil
lions OF dollars to the government
annually, but the public will reap un-
told benefits and countless hours of
time now spent in answering 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 car
riers is undisputed. The statute in
augurating free delivery of mail mat
fer specifically states that the Post
2 master General may establish receiv-
ing boxes for the deposit of mail mat
ter, and another law EnecificaIir g.