Jasper County Democrat, Volume 19, Number 17, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 27 May 1916 — FREE MAIL DELIVERY IN CITY [ARTICLE]

FREE MAIL DELIVERY IN CITY

Rensselaer Can Have This Service by Complying With Government Requirements. Post office Inspector J. A. Hunter of South Bend was in Rensselaer Wednesday to look over the''situation regarding the establishing of free mail delivery in this city, application for which had been made by Postmaster Littlefield, the “receipts of the Rensselaer postoffice having exceeded the SIO,OOO per year which entitles patrons of the office residing in the city limits to such service. It is required that a city have ample street lights and sidewalks—both of which Rensselaer is well supplied with—and that the street names be posted on the corners thereof and the houses numbered before it can have free‘delivery. Mr. Hunter found that in the two former requirements we were O. K., antFsaid that if the latter requirements were complied with he would recommend that free delivery be established. The matter of marking the street corners will be attended to, it is understood, by the city council making an that effect and requiring that property owners number their houses and business property. When this order is complied with Mr. Hunter will again visit Rensselaer and, finding that the requirements have been complied with, will make the proper recommendation Jfor free delivery.. The establishment of free mail delivery will mean the appointment of two carriers at a good substantial salary, and it is probable about four deliveries per day will be made in the business section and two in the residenoe section of the city. As v’e understand, the establishment of free delivery does not make it compulsory to receive mail only through such delivery. A patron may continue to rent a box as now and get his mail direct from the postoffice. But one residing within the free delivery system cannot receive their mail through the gvJlhral delivery. Free delivery will be a great convenience to the residence district at least, and will be welcomed by a large majority of' - the patrons of the office.