Pelhamites Wanted Free Home Mail Delivery in 1909
Pelham is bounded by New York City, New Rochelle, and Mount Vernon. Each of those three municipalities had free mail delivery. Pelham wanted free mail delivery. That would be a real indication Pelham had entered the modern age -- the big time.
On the evening of December 6, 1909, an ad hoc committee of Pelham citizens met at the Manor Club with Postal Inspector E. L. Kincaid to discuss the matter. In attendance were: Kneeland S. Durland, John Young, Henry L. Rupert and A. W. Crane, of the Village of North Pelham; Robert A. Holmes, Benjamin L. Fairchild of the Village of Pelham (i.e., Pelham Heights); and Munroe Crane, William B. Randall, James F. Secor and President Pond of the Village of Pelham Manor.
At that meeting, the committee learned that Federal law at the time barred free mail delivery in municipalities such as Pelham that did not have either at least 10,000 residents or at least $10,000 worth of business annually in its local post office. Members of the committee further learned, however, that there was a possible alternative. Pelham could merge its local post office with the post office of any adjacent community that met the minimum requirements. Pelham would retain its independence and identity as a Town comprised of three smaller villages. But, its post office would be subsumed within the post office of another municipality and its various post offices would no longer have postmasters. Instead, they would have postal "superintendents" who reported to the postmaster of another post office in an adjacent community.
The committee was convinced. It was time to do something. It decided to recommend that the Pelham post office system become a part of the post office of an adjacent municipality with free mail delivery so Pelham could receive free mail delivery. The big question, of course, was "which adjacent municipality?"
The newspapers of Mount Vernon and New Rochelle lit up with stories about how Pelham's post offices might become part of their own. Mount Vernon seemed confident that because its post office facilities were closer to a larger segment of the Pelham population that Pelham most certainly would select Mount Vernon to take over its postal services.
Pelham, however, surprised all and arranged to associate with the New York City post office. On February 15, 1910, the Pelham Manor Post Office was "merged" with the post office in the Village of North Pelham and the system became part of the New York City postal system.
Problem solved, right? Wrong. . . .
The new postmaster in charge issued an order that no mail would be delivered until a sufficient number of Pelham residents erected mailboxes to receive mail. Until then, residents were required to call at the Pelham post office branches to pick up their mail. By mid-March, for example, only half the residents of the Village of North Pelham had erected mailboxes for mail delivery. Indeed, it was weeks before sufficient mailboxes were erected and free mail delivery could begin.
Pelham had entered the modern age -- the big time!
Postal Carrier Delivering Mail in 1909.
NOTE: Click on Image to Enlarge.
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"PELHAM WANTS LETTER CARRIERS; MAY HAVE THEM BY JOINING THIS POST OFFICE
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Government Requires That Town Must Either Have 10,000 Population or Else Office Must Do $10,000 Per Year, or Else Consolidate With City -- Would Not Lose Identity.
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Pelham wants free delivery in connection with their postal facilities and last week prominent citizens of the town made a formal application to the Federal government for this privilege. The application is of some interest to Mount Vernon, for the regulations of the post office department provide that in order for a town, city or village to have a delivery system, one of two requirements must be fulfilled or else the place must be a part of the post office system of a municipality where carriers or free delivery are had.
The Requirements.
The requirements are that either the town must have ten thousand population or else the post office receipts must aggregate $10,000 per year. Neither, of course, will be fulfilled in Pelham and so the other alternative is open if the free delivery system is to be obtained and that is affiliation of the post office facilities of another town. Naturally this is importance [sic] to Mount Vernon as the office in this city would be one of the places with which Pelham could consolidate, and still have its same identity as now and secure the free delivery system, the carriers being sent out under the supervision of this office.
Not Lose Identity.
Post Office Inspector E. L. Kincaid was in Pelham today investigating the conditions and it is supposed that he will report to Washington in a few days regarding the matter. The Pelham post office would not lose their identity if they were part of the Mount Vernon post office system. The only difference would be that these offices would have superintendents instead [of] postmasters, but there would be comparatively little change in rules and regulations except the free delivery system which of course would be new and give the people of the entire town the privileges they are now seeking.
Mount Vernon Nearest.
As Mount Vernon is the largest city nearest to Pelham, it would appear as if consolidation with its post office system here would be of greatest advantage. Pelham could join the systems of either New York or New Rochelle and secure free delivery, but with New York further away and New Rochelle smaller in post office facilities than Mount Vernon and likewise further away from the main villages, the advantages afforded by Mount Vernon are consequently greater.
Wanted Sewage Plant.
Pelham is and likewise has been, considered Mount Vernon's nearest neighbor, and both places have had public works and municipal affairs in common and joint meetings of the officials of both places have often been held. It was only a few months ago that Pelham consulted with Mount Vernon on the use of the sewage disposal plant and it therefore naturally follows that if Pelham wants free delivery or carrier system and it is possible to secure by becoming a part of a city post office the amount of business is sufficient to give, they will turn towards their nearest neighbor, which is Mount Vernon.
More Conveniences Here.
It is a fact as has already been published in this paper that the Mount Vernon post office has increased in business to a considerable extent in the last six or eight months and it would seem as if Mount Vernon would be preferred by Pelham for this consolidation. Then a new building is in sight here and necessarily more facilities are going to be had for the handling of the business, all of which would be to the better success of the plan."
Source: PELHAM WANTS LETTER CARRIERS; MAY HAVE THEM BY JOINING THIS POST OFFICE -- Government Requires That Town Must Either Have 10,000 Population or Else Office Must Do $10,000 Per Year, or Else Consolidate With City -- Would Not Lose Identity, The Daily Argus [Mount Vernon, NY], Dec. 6, 1909, Whole No. 6101, p. 1, cols. 6-7.
"PELHAMS WILL NOT UNITE WITH LOCAL POST OFFICE HERE
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They Desire to Join New York System For Free Delivery.
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The Pelhams will not of their own volition affiliate with the Mount Vernon postoffice [sic] to secure a free delivery system, rather if their views obtain, they will become a part of the New York system.
A number of citizens of the town met at the Pelham Manor club house last evening and held a conference with Postoffice [sic] Inspector E. L. Kincaid. Among those present were Kneeland S. Durland, John Young, Henry L. Rupert and A. W. Crane, of North Pelham; Robert A. Holmes, B. L. Fairchild of Pelham Heights, Munroe Crane, William B. Randall, James F. Secor and President Pond of Pelham Manor.
It was plain that it would be impossible for the Pelhams to have a free delivery system from their own office, as the receipts would not aggregate $10,000, or is the population 10,000. After considerable discussion, it was decided to advise the federal government that they desired to be affiliated with the postal system of New York.
At first it was thought that possibly application would be made to united with either Mount Vernon or New Rochelle, in view of their close proximity, but it was stated that if Pelham wished free delivery and it was necessary to affiliate with the postal system in another city that it would be better to unite with a large city instead of a smaller place. The sentiment was unanimously in favor of New York and the matter will now be taken up with the department at Washington."
Source: PELHAMS WILL NOT UNITE WITH LOCAL POST OFFICE HERE -- They Desire to Join New York System For Free Delivery, The Daily Argus [Mount Vernon, NY], Dec. 7, 1909, Whole No. 6102, p. 1, col. 5.
"WANTS FREE DELIVERY.
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Pelham wants free delivery in connection with their postal facilities and last week prominent citizens of the town made a formal application to the Federal government for this privilege. The application is of some interest to Mount Vernon, for the regulations of the post office department provide that in order for a town, city or village to have a delivery system one or two requirements must be fulfilled or else the place must be a part of the post office system of a municipality where carriers or free delivery are had.
The requirements are that either the town must have ten thousand population or else the post office receipts must aggregate $10,000 per year. Neither, of course, will be fulfilled in Pelham and so the other alternative is to be obtained and that is affiliation of the post office facilities of another town. Naturally this is [of] importance to Mount Vernon as the office in this city would be one of the places with which Pelham could consolidate and still have its same identity as now and secure the free delivery system, the carriers being sent out under the supervision of this office."
Source: WANTS FREE DELIVERY, New Rochelle Pioneer, Dec. 18, 1909, p. 5, col. 4.
"CARRIER SYSTEM NOT ESTABLISHED.
North Pelham, March 22. -- The establishment of the carrier system in the village of North Pelham is still an uncertainty and people are beginning to wonder about it.
Superintendent Lyman said this noon, that thus far about 50 per cent. of the residents of the village had installed letter boxes. It is understood according to the order of Postmaster Morgan, that unless the people put up these letter boxes, no mail will be delivered and that they will have to call for it formerly at the branch post-office.
If the new provision of the post-office appropriation bill becomes a law in the near future, no mail at all will be delivered to any house in cities having no mail boxes. North Pelham would come under this provision in view of the fact that its post office is now a part of the New York system."
Source: CARRIER SYSTEM NOT ESTABLISHED, The Daily Argus [Mount Vernon, NY], Mar. 22, 1910, p. 3, col. 2.
Archive of the Historic Pelham Web Site.
Labels: 1909, 1910, Mail, Mail Delivery, New York City Post Office, North Pelham Post Office, Pelham Manor Post Office, Pelham Post Office, Pelhamville Post Office
posted by Blake A. Bell @ 4:54 AM
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