Free Mail Delivery Is Coming to Olympia—If the City Numbers Its Houses

Olympia is not to be behind her sister cities in the matter of free delivery. Postmaster V. A. Milroy was interviewed at length today on the subject, and seemed to be greatly tickled by the outlook for the change that he thinks will take place on January 1st, and be a great big New Year's gift for the residents of this city. The post office department has notified Mr. Milroy that the boxes and pouches have been shipped from the manufacturers, and will be here in due season.

In order that the scheme may be put into effect properly, the houses within the free delivery districts will have to be numbered. At present about two-thirds of the buildings are unnumbered, but Marshal Savidge, assisted by a workman, is doing active work, and will have things in proper shape by January 1st. The city council has already issued an order to that effect, and the numbering will be done at the expense of the property owners.

To carry out the system of free delivery, it will be necessary to increase the post office force by the addition of three carriers and one substitute. It would seem that these positions are considered of considerable value, for there have already been twenty-five applications filed, and there are two more yet to come. Quite a number of course will necessarily get left. The lucky ones will have to each give a bond of $500 for faithful performance of their duties. The sureties on these bonds will have to qualify in the sum of $1000.

When the system first goes into effect there will be 22 boxes placed at convenient points within the districts, which will be visited twice daily by the carriers. Those who wish to obtain the full benefit of the free delivery should instruct their correspondents to direct to the proper house and number, so that prompt delivery may be made. Unless otherwise instructed, mail matter without any number will remain at the general delivery, except in cases of well known business firms, when it will be delivered.

Inspector Flint, of the post office department, was in Olympia a month ago, and together with Postmaster Milroy sized up the city. After due deliberation the three districts have been arranged as follows:

First District. The first district will be known as the business men's district, and is as follows: Commencing at Main and First; south on Main to Second; west to Columbia; south to Fourth; west on Fourth to the railroad depot, where a box will be placed, which will be an accommodation to the residents of the Westside; from the corner of Columbia and Fourth south to Sixth; thence to Main; south on Main to Seventh; thence to Jefferson; north to Third; west to Franklin; north on Franklin to Second; west on Second to Main; north on Main to First street, at end of the long dock, and place of beginning.

Second District. The second district will commence at Main and Seventh and extend south on Main to Ninth; west on Ninth to Columbia; thence south to Union; west to Water street; south on Water to Thirteenth; west to Pleasant street, thus taking in the Capital addition; south on Pleasant street to Fourteenth; east to Main; south on Main to Maple Park avenue; east to Franklin street; north to Thirteenth; east to Adams; north to Union; east to Jefferson; north to Seventh; thence back to place of beginning at Main street and Seventh.

Third District. Fourth street will be the connecting link between the second and third districts, the latter commencing at corner of Jefferson and Fourth, at the opera house. On Fourth street east to Plum, south on Plum to Sixth, east to Pear, south to Eighth, east to Eastside street, south to Union, back on Union to Eighth, thence east to Central, and back on same to Eastside; north on Eastside to Fourth, east on Fourth to Henry street, and back to Puget street; north on Puget to Second, west to Quince, north on Quince to Prospect, west on Prospect street to Bigelow avenue, where a box will be placed a few rods south of Robert Frost's residence; back to Fourth street, taking in the pipe factory, thence return on Fourth to Hale block, corner of Jefferson and Fourth, at place of beginning.

Extra boxes will be placed at convenient points as soon as the carriers have learned their routes thoroughly and are enabled to take care of the increased territory and business. It is probable that the carriers will have all they can attend to when starting in, learning where the different people live and getting onto the short cuts across lots, etc. Mr. Milroy is of the opinion that the system will go into operation by the first, thus insuring at least one New Year's gift for each and all which will be heartily appreciated, particularly by business men.